NS Career 2 Neurologist

Neurologist

What are neurologist?

A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating diseases that affect the human nervous system. It is a very prestigious and difficult medical specialty due to the complexity of the nervous system, which consists of the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves. Since the brain is the central command of the human body, the diseases affecting it have a significant negative impact on health and normal functioning. A neurologist is a doctor who is highly trained in recognizing the early symptoms of nervous dysfunction, establishing its cause, the exact location of the problem and its potential treatment. Neurologists are usually people who possess a detail-oriented way of reasoning and are very skilled at identifying the minor signs of neurological disorders. Unlike neurosurgeons, neurologists do not perform surgeries, but attempt to treat neurologic disease through medication, rehabilitation and physical therapy. However, neurosurgeons always consult neurologists before making any major surgical intervention on the brain, because neurologists usually have a deep understanding regarding the relationship between anatomical structure and brain function, which is very important for a full recovery.

What tools do they use?

Neurologists use specialised equipment including computerised axial tomography (CAT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electronencephalography (EEG). Others tools include molecular biology, electrophysiology and neuroimaging.

What is a typical day for a neurologist?

Neurologists work in hospitals, private practice or a combination of both. Some neurologists work 60+ hours a week which can include shift, weekend and on-call responsibilities.A typical day involves seeing patients and time spent doing paperwork. 

What is the salary range for this occupation?

earned a mean income of $217,000

How do you become a neurologists?

Becoming a neurologist involves many years of intense schooling. Those wanting to become a neurologist must first complete a bachelor's degree. Although there is no mandatory undergraduate degree needed to be accepted to medical school, it is always beneficial to major in a scientific field where one can satisfy the biology, chemistry, and physics prerequisites. Students can also choose to major in pre med which will offer them a degree that encompasses all necessary classes required to apply to medical school. It is highly competitive to gain acceptance into medical school, so it is imperative that prospective neurologists maintain a high grade point average during their undergraduate career, obtain excellent letters of recommendation, gain medical work experience, and receive an above average score on the MCAT which is the test prospective medical students need to take before applying to school.During medical school, students can expect to spend the first few years taking courses in such subjects as pharmacology, anatomy, and physiology. The last two years of medical school involve clinical rotations where students work in medical facilities under a licensed physician. There are mandatory rotations that a student must complete in different areas such as pediatrics and geriatrics.After graduating from medical school, those who would like to go into the field of neurology must then complete a one year internship gaining experience in many different areas of medicine. After the internship is finished, prospective neurologists go on to complete a three year residency where they will learn more about neurology, working with patients under the supervision of a licensed neurologist.It typically takes about 12 years to become a neurologist. 4 years are spent as an undergraduate working toward a bachelor's degree, and then another 4 years are spent in medical school. After medical school, graduates will then undertake a one year internship, followed by a 3 year residency program.The process to become a neurologist is lengthy. First, one must complete a bachelor's degree. Before graduating with their bachelor's degree, students will need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and apply to medical school. Medical school must then be completed, followed by an internship, and then a residency program. After all of these educational requirements have been met, prospective neurologists can take their state boards to become licensed and begin practicing as a neurologist.