If you’ve considered pursuing a career in medicine, getting into the field may seem daunting. How much school and training is involved? And where exactly should you start?
We’ll take a deep dive into everything you need to know about starting your career in medicine, as well as three sample paths so you can get started with confidence.
What Do Different Career Paths in Medicine Look Like?
There are many different career paths in medicine, each offering unique opportunities and specialties. Each of the three career paths that we’ll discuss below enables you to work directly with patients and make a positive difference in their lives.
Doctors, for example, can specialize in areas such as cardiology, pediatrics, or surgery. Each requires extensive education and training, including four years of medical school and several years of residency.
Nurses also have various specialties to choose from, such as neonatal, critical care, or oncology. Nursing requires specific education and training, which we’ll discuss below.
Physician assistants or associates (PAs) are healthcare providers who work in a variety of settings, from family medicine to emergency care. Their training involves completing a master's program and obtaining certification.
This is not even a remotely inclusive list of all of the different career paths that are available to you in medicine, but it provides a good overview of the basic places you can start and how your career can grow from there. Read on to learn more about the path to each profession.
How to Become a Doctor
Becoming a doctor can be a lengthy and challenging path, but for those who pursue it, it can also be a rewarding and lucrative career.
Start in High School
The path to becoming a doctor often starts as early as high school. For those who know that an MD is in their future, here are some things you can do in high school to prepare for the road ahead:
- Maintain a high GPA
- Focus on various sciences like biology and chemistry
- Volunteer at a hospital
- Attend healthcare events in the community, such as blood drives and CPR training
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Going to college as a pre-med student involves careful planning and dedication. During your undergraduate studies, you’ll need to complete several prerequisite courses that are almost always required for medical school admission.
These courses typically include:
- Biology and Biology Lab (2 semesters)
- General Chemistry and Gen Chem Lab (2 semesters)
- Organic Chemistry and Org Chem Lab (2 semesters)
- Physics and Physics Lab (2 semesters)
- Mathematics, usually Calculus or Statistics (1-2 semesters)
As you approach the final semesters of your bachelor's program, it’s time to start preparing for the MCAT and researching potential medical schools. This preparation will help you meet medical school admissions requirements so you’re ready to apply.
Take the MCAT
The MCAT, or Medical College Admissions Test, is an entrance exam for medical schools in the United States and Canada. The test assesses knowledge in the natural and social sciences, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
The MCAT is not required at 100% of med schools, but it’s still more common than not.
Earn Your Medical Degree
Passing the MCAT (as well as a high undergrad GPA) will help you get into med school. Once there, expect to spend about four years of intense studying – some people compare med school to having a full-time job in terms of time commitment.
Med school can also be physically demanding, as you start to interact with patients directly during rotations. Rotations may include overnight shifts and hours spent standing up with no breaks. The purpose of these rotations is to explore different types of medical specialties and help you choose one.
After you earn your medical degree, you’ll need to be matched into a residency related to your specialty, which we’ll discuss in greater depth below.
Pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam
The purpose of the USMLE is to ensure that physicians have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide safe and effective care to patients. Passing this exam is a significant step in the medical licensure process.
Step 1 is typically taken at the end of your second year of medical school and assesses your grasp of the basic sciences relevant to medical practice.
Step 2 is often taken after the fourth year of medical school and is divided into two parts: Clinical Knowledge (CK), which evaluates medical knowledge and understanding of clinical science, and Clinical Skills (CS), which tests your ability to apply this knowledge in a practical, patient-centered manner.
Step 3 is typically taken during the first or second year of your residency (see below) and evaluates your ability to apply medical knowledge and understanding for unsupervised medical practice.
Choose a Specialty
As you progress through your medical education, you’ll reach a point when it’s time to choose a specialty that will define the rest of your career path. A few medical specialties you might consider include:
Family Medicine
Family medicine focuses on comprehensive health care for individuals of all ages. Family physicians provide preventive care, diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses, and offer health education. They’re trained to treat a wide range of conditions and often serve as primary care providers.
Internal Medicine
Internal medicine specialists, or internists, primarily treat adults and focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. Internists often manage patients with complex, chronic illnesses and work in both outpatient and inpatient settings. They can further subspecialize in areas such as cardiology, endocrinology, or gastroenterology. They also sometimes serve as primary care providers.
Pediatrics
Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatricians are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of childhood illnesses, from minor health problems to serious diseases. They focus on preventive health maintenance and the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their patients.
Surgery
Surgeons perform operations to treat diseases, injuries, and deformities. This specialty requires extensive training and precision, as surgeons are responsible for manipulating body tissues and organs. Various subspecialties within surgery — such as orthopedic, cardiovascular, and plastic surgery — focus on skills development for different types of specific surgical procedures.
Psychiatry
Psychiatry involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists use a variety of techniques, including psychotherapy and medications, to help patients manage conditions like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. They work in diverse settings, from hospitals and private practices to academic and research institutions.
Complete a Residency
The specialty you choose will determine your medical residency. This period, lasting between 3 to 7 years, depending on the specialty, provides you with in-depth, practical experience in your chosen field. During your residency, you’ll work under the supervision of more experienced physicians and gain hands-on experience in patient care.
Residency programs are designed to provide comprehensive training that includes diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions, performing procedures, and developing professional skills. This stage builds the competence and confidence you’ll need to practice medicine independently.
Optional: Board Certification
Board certification is a process that you can undertake to demonstrate your expertise in a specific medical specialty. To become board-certified, you must pass a rigorous exam that tests your medical knowledge, clinical skills, and diagnostic abilities.
This certification is not required to practice medicine but is often pursued for several reasons:
- Validation of Expertise: Board certification provides an additional credential that verifies a doctor’s expertise and commitment to their specialty. This can enhance their reputation and trust among patients and colleagues.
- Career Advancement: Many hospitals and medical practices prefer or even require board certification for certain positions.
- Professional Development: The certification process encourages continuous learning and staying updated with the latest advancements in the medical field.
Here are a couple of reasons why you might not pursue board certification:
- Time and Cost: The process of becoming board-certified can be time-consuming and expensive, which may deter some doctors.
- Not Mandatory: Since board certification is not a legal requirement for practicing medicine, some doctors may choose to focus on other aspects of their careers instead of obtaining board certification.
How to Become a Nurse
Nursing is a highly-regarded profession for those who enjoy working with people and managing potentially high-pressure situations.
Although there are different paths to becoming a nurse and different levels of licensed and certified nurses, we’ll specifically cover the path to becoming a registered nurse (RN), the highest level of nursing available without an advanced degree.
Education
The first step on the path to becoming an RN is obtaining an undergraduate degree. An associate’s (2-year) degree in nursing (ADN) plus experience in the medical field is usually enough to qualify you to take the nursing exam (more details below).
Still, many RNs opt to earn a 4-year bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) before taking the exam. With a BSN, you generally don’t need previous experience to qualify for the exam. Nurses with BSNs also usually earn more money and have more career opportunities than those with an ADN.
Pass the National Licensing Exam
Once you have your nursing degree, you’re now qualified to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)-RN.
The NCLEX-RN is a standardized exam that assesses the competency of nursing school graduates in the United States and Canada. Its primary purpose is to determine if an entry-level nurse can safely begin practicing.
Developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the NCLEX-RN includes real-world case studies to evaluate critical thinking and decision-making skills that reflect the demands of modern nursing practice.
Meet Your State’s Requirements
Each state has its own certifications and licensing requirements for RNs, so be sure to check your state’s requirements.
Choose a Specialty
There are many specialties you might choose as an RN. Here are just a few.
Cardiac Nurse
Cardiac nurses specialize in caring for patients with heart conditions. They work in settings such as cardiology clinics and hospitals. They provide treatment, manage medications, and assist with procedures related to cardiac health.
Emergency Room Nurse
Emergency room (ER) nurses provide urgent care to patients with acute illnesses or injuries. They’re trained to handle high-stress situations, perform quick assessments, and help stabilize patients as quickly as possible.
Oncology Nurse
Oncology nurses care for patients diagnosed with cancer. They administer chemotherapy, manage symptoms, and provide emotional support to patients and their families throughout the treatment process.
Optional: Advanced Degrees
Some RNs may choose to continue their education by earning advanced nursing degrees, which can help them move into higher-paying jobs, leadership positions, or research roles.
- Master’s Degree (MSN): This program offers a number of tracks designed to prepare students to become Advanced Practice Nurses, nurse administrators, and nurse educators.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): A research-focused program whose graduates typically teach and/or conduct research.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Focuses on clinical practice or leadership roles.
How to Become a Physician’s Assistant/Associate
Physician Assistants/Associates (PAs) are healthcare professionals who practice medicine under the supervision of licensed physicians and surgeons. They’re trained to examine patients, diagnose illnesses, and provide treatment, making them valuable members of the healthcare team.
PAs work in various specialties and settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. They perform tasks ranging from taking medical histories to assisting in surgeries.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is required for most, if not all, PA programs. While your major doesn’t necessarily matter, it’s usually a good idea to focus on science and healthcare-related courses of study. That way, you’ll be prepared for your career in medicine.
Gain Experience
Many PA programs require students to have a certain amount of hands-on experience in the healthcare field, typically about three years. This includes (but isn’t limited to):
- EMT
- Dental assistant
- Certified medical assistant
- Lab assistant
- RN
Complete an Accredited PA Program
The PA program you attend should be accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). These programs take around three years to complete and grant graduates a master’s degree. During this time, you’ll attend classes in basic medical subjects as well as complete more than 2,000 hours of hands-on, in-person clinical rotations and choose a specialty.
Pass the Exam
Once you graduate from your PA program, you’re qualified to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). The exam covers a wide range of medical knowledge and clinical skills necessary for practice as a PA, including clinical medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and more.
Check Your State’s Licensing Requirements
Make sure you understand and fulfill your individual state’s requirements for PAs.
Stay Certified
Maintaining national certification requires PAs to complete 100 hours of continuing medical education (CME) credits every two years. You must also take the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Exam (PANRE) every ten years.
How Do I Know Which Medical Career is Right for Me?
Consider a variety of factors when choosing your medical career path. Reflect on your strengths, passions, and work preferences. If you enjoy direct patient care, consider careers such as nursing or physician assistantship. If you prefer research and analytical roles, fields like biomedical research or medical laboratory science may be a better fit.
Take into account the educational requirements for each career. Some roles, like becoming a doctor, require extensive schooling, while others, such as medical assisting, require less time.
Consider your personality as well. Extroverts might thrive in specialties involving constant patient interaction, while introverts may find fulfillment in pathology or radiology.
Finally, seek advice from healthcare professionals and explore different specialties through internships or shadowing opportunities to gain firsthand insights into daily responsibilities and work environments.
Start Your Medical Career Path With StraighterLine
While StraighterLine doesn’t offer degrees, we do offer bundles in pre-med, nursing, and healthcare that can introduce you to basic medical concepts. At the same time, you earn credits toward your bachelor’s degree. These bundles are fantastic ways to learn what it’s like to work in medicine.
Learn more about StraighterLine and how to transfer credits today to save time and money on your path to working in medicine!
