Neurosurgeon - How to become a Neurosurgeon

Neurosurgeon is a medical professional specialized in diagnosing neurological-related problems of human head, spinal cord, brain and neck and treating them with surgical operations.

Neurosurgeons job description also includes treatments to patients suffering from cancerous cells, benign brain tumors and pinched nerves in the spine etc, which require surgery for their removal. They use special robotic devices, imaging equipment, and highly sophisticated cameras to pin point the place of surgery thus are apt to use most advanced, complex technology as well.

Intake of polluted and contaminated water, increasing use of electronic devices like mobile phone and other commonly used electronic gadgets emitting dangerous and deep penetrating UV rays has increased the number of patients suffering from diseases like brain tumors that require surgical treatment thereby increasing the demand for qualified Neurosurgeon in the near future.   

Being one of the most delicate and complex part to be operated, the risk factor is high and error acceptance is zero, which make it necessary for the Neurosurgeon to have excellent critical thinking, analytical abilities, top surgical skills, optimal dexterity and  a natural ability to perform delicate surgeries. Neurosurgeons must possess high degree of fine motor coordination and manual dexterity too. However this can be obtained by getting essential specialized qualification and training.

To full fill the increasing demand created by ever scarce Neurosurgeons the aspiring candidates with extraordinary skill, full control on their nerves and capacity to do work calmly in stressful condition can think of making their career in this highly paid field of medical science.

Eligibility to become a Neurosurgeon

Educational Qualification

Candidates aspiring to become Neurosurgeon must possess a 5½ years MBBS degree followed by 2- 3 years M.S (Neurosurgery) - must qualification to become a Neurosurgeon-. Interested candidates can also go for M.Ch (Neurosurgery) for super specialization in the field of Neurosurgery.

How to become a Neurosurgeon?

Aspiring candidates have to follow the below given steps to become a Neurosurgeon

Step 1

Students who have appeared or are appearing in +2 (with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as main subjects) have to appear in an Medical Entrance Tests conducted by the various state and Independent bodies like PMT, taken by Punjab Government and CBSE-PMT (Pre Medical Test) taken by the Central board to admit candidates in various medical institutions affiliated with it.

Separate test are conducted by some of the highly rated medical institutions like AIIMS, PGI, GMCH, AFMC Pune etc.  These exams are generally held in the month of May-June.

Step 2

After completing this four and half years of MBBS degree course and one years and  six months compulsory training one  has to go M.S (Neurosurgery).

Aspiring MBBS doctors have to appear in Post Graduate Medical Entrance Tests like All India Post Graduate Medical/Dental Entrance Exam and  Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam.

However some institutes also provide admission on the basis of marks obtained in MBBS course and work experience of the aspiring candidates.

Step 3

After completing M.Ch (Neurosurgery) the aspiring candidates can enroll for M.Ch (Neurosurgery) - a 5 years courses-for Super specialization in the field of Neurosurgery.

Step 4

However after completion of three years of M.S (Neurosurgery) course and getting the requisite registration from Medical Council of India the budding Neurosurgeon can get jobs in reputed Government and Private Hospitals like AIIMS etc. Neurosurgeon with good entrepreneurial skill can also open their Neurosurgery centers.

Neurosurgeon Career Prospects

Because of existing short fall in the number of Neurosurgeons relative to the number of prospective patients, these medical professionals are in very high demand and this demand is bound to increase in the coming time with ever increasing number of patients with diseases like tumors etc to be removed by the surgical operations only. Therefore the prospects for aspiring Neurosurgeons are quite good in the near future.

Neurosurgeon Job Description

Neurosurgeon’s job description basically includes performing surgeries on the brain, spinal cord and nerves of human beings for the removal of brain tumors, clipping abnormal blood vessel formations within the brain, and removal of portions of the cerebral cortex to treat epilepsy.

Neurosurgeon Salary

Neurosurgeons are one of the highly paid professional in the field of medicine. They can expect as good as Rs.80,000 to Rs.1,00,000,  in the Government Sector hospitals depending upon his experience and expertise. Besides, they are also entitled to government accommodation and other perks as admissible. However experienced Neurosurgeon with Corporate sector can expect anything between Rs.1,50,000 to Rs.2,00,000 per month.

Experienced Neurosurgeon with an impeccable track record running their own clinic has the ability to demand Rs.1 Lakh to Rs. 2 Lakh per surgery thus having no upper limits to their earning per month.