How many years to be a pediatrician?

Question

I am planning my future and i was wanting to be a pediatrician. but of course you have to go to college then med school then an internship but how many years is that all together? I want to be able to have kids b4 I am 33 but i really want this great career!

Answer 1

Assuming you graduate highschool at 18:

4 years of undergrad- 22

4 years of medical school -26

4 years specialty- 30

2-3 years intern- 33

Plus a mountain of debt.

Answer 2

IT would take a minimum of 11 years after high school to become a pediatrician...not including prep time for required national board exams.

You will have 4 years to get your bachelor's degree (pre-med)

Then study and pass the MCAT's (entrance test required to get into med school)

After medical school, you will have a year of internship (be prepared to kiss sleep goodbye for awhile lol)...they'll cram more info into your brain in that year than most of med school combined

Your Internship is followed by another round of tests (National Medical Board Examinations) which have to be passed successfully in order to start a Residency.

After you successfully pass the National Boards, you start a Residency -- this is an additional 2 years minimum depending on your specialty. It can go upwards of 5 years depending on that.

Answer 3

A lot.

You'll be in undergraduate school for 4 years

Graduate/medical school: 4 years

4 more for your speciality unless you're just a general physician

and at least 2 years as an intern at a hospital (like the show Scrubs0

Then, afterwards, you'll have upwards of $100,000 debt from student loans. The interest will pile up pretty high, but you should start earning the big bucks in about 10 years so you could make significant payments in that debt.

I'd advice waiting until after 33 to have kids, because you'll still be in school or getting used to a new career. Unless you wouldn't mind taking time off.

Answer 4

Ok, so I am pretty sure the first answer has it right but I suppose the only thing left now is to elaborate :)

There isn't a deadline for you to have children, (infact - something funny, if you had all of your kids before you were 33 (assuming you are about 25 when you started trying, you would have a 85% that every pregnancy would be girls :) - just saying lol, i thought it was neat) anyway, back to what I was thinking. You have your entire life to live, do not just focus it on what you expect of your future. I was EXACTLY the same way. i believe i asked questions in the same form you have 'can i be pregnant and go to school' or 'how long does it take to become a doctor because what if i get married before i graduate and then get pregnant' - and then someone told me to stop thinking like that - and now i am telling you :) - a career is important. and i think it is amazing that you want to be a pediatrician. it takes strong people to do this line of work and it makes life for everyone (yourself, patients, co - workers..ect) when a doctor is actually pasionate about what they do and loves their job. Do not do this if you are only thinking about the money, that won't make your life better. sure, almost everyone comes home after a hard day at work and thinks 'man, i hate my job' - look at all of your options, this world is huge and there are sooo many important jobs necessary to keep this world spinning!! If this has been your dream, if you think it is something you are commited too, for sure, pursue it! you can do anything.. never give up - don't you EVER give up!!

sooo, back to your question :)

You need to get a degree, in anything of your choice (Bachelor of ? - major in ?) totally your call!! and that is a four year degree

after your complete this you will apply to med school: 4 years - 2 years in the classroom, 2 years in the hospital

once you finish med school you will do an internship/ residency: if you specialize it can be up to 6 years of residencey!

(not that i don't want you to be a pediatrician but general practioners (GP, family doctor) is only two years residency, i think that might apply to your want to complete before 33?)

please don't feel like this is suppose to be a nasty reply, i am just trying to help you!! i just want you to be happy.. isn't that what life is about?

i wish you the best of luck <3