What should a neonatologist major in

A person who wants to become a neonatologist is required to obtain a medical degree, complete a three-year residency program, and participate in an additional three years of specialty fellowship training. In addition, a series of licensing examinations must be passed throughout training to become a neonatologist. An individual who believes that he or she might want to become a neonatologist can enroll in an accredited four-year university to earn a bachelor's degree.

A student can choose to major in any subject, though focusing on premedical studies, biology, or health is usually the most helpful in preparing for medical school. Near the end of a bachelor's degree program, an individual can begin preparing essays, transcripts, and other documents needed to be considered for admissions into medical school.

This residency and internship period will last around three years as the doctor learns more and gets more experience in patient care for children. During this time, the physician will gain full-time experience in a clinic, inpatient, emergency or other environment where they are closely supervised and trained by a teaching staff. This phase of education also includes lectures, conferences, and other opportunities to gain a deep understanding of pediatrics.

I addition to basic pediatric care, the resident will also be exposed to the pediatric intensive care sub-specialty and neonatal intensive care subspecialty which will help further crystalize the direction of their training and career path. The first year of pediatric residency, the United States Medical Licensing Exam, Step 3 , is taken, which is one of the final tests required to be licensed to practice medicine as a doctor.

The year after pediatric residency, the pediatric board examination is taken which will certify the doctor as a pediatric specialist. After three years of pediatric training under supervision the physician will start a neonatology fellowship. Many neonatology fellowships are split between active patient care and research.

By the completion of this portion of training, the physician will have first hand experience with a variety of neonatal needs as well as have completed and published research work pertaining to neonatal health and newborn care. After fellowship, a final set of exams will certify the physician as a subspecialist in neonatal-perinatal medicine.

The licensing structure for a neonatal specialist starts in medical school, before specialization, as the student takes exams to show their knowledge of the needed sciences as well as their clinical understanding and grasp of the art of the medical practice.

After medical school the doctor enters an internship or residency program where the final step of the USMLE is administered. Moving on education, the doctor enters fellowship. Post-fellowship exams and licensure identify the doctor as a licensed neonatal specialist.

There are many places that employ neonatologists throughout the medical field. Medical school hospitals, group practices, community hospitals, solo practices are just a few. The majority of neonatologists are in an urban setting, though not necessarily inner city. Very few practice in a rural setting as smaller hospitals or offices will often send mothers and babies that have or are expected to have complications to larger hospitals.

The career outlook for neonatologists is based on the number of new births each year. Rotations provide practical clinical training in diagnosing and treating illnesses in different areas of medicine. The American Academy of Pediatrics mentions that a residency program after completing neonatologist schooling allows the physician to specialize in a particular area of medicine.

For students planning a career as a neonatologist, a residency program in pediatrics is the first step in receiving the specialized training the field requires. The residency program in pediatrics provides students with an opportunity to treat children, under the supervision of experienced doctors, with a variety of illnesses. Some pediatric residency programs provide training in sub-specialties of pediatrics, which include neonatology and intensive care.

In addition to a residency program in pediatrics, physicians planning a career in neonatology must complete a specialized fellowship program such as the one offered through the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Neonatologists, like their adult medicine counterparts, invest years in education before obtaining board certification. Unlike most physicians, they perform needed procedures and handle all aspects of their patients' care themselves. A career in neonatology begins with a bachelor's degree. That makes your high school years important to get into a good college. Science and math courses, a foreign language such as Spanish, extracurricular activities and good grades improve your acceptance chances.

You need not major in pre-med as a college student, according to Dr. Steve Abrams, a neonatologist on the Baylor Medical School faculty. The YourPediatrician.