How Long Does It Take To Become a Pediatric Surgeon?

A pediatric surgeon is something that many doctors, like me, aspire to be in order to help save the lives of children.

But this is a science, and it takes decades of study, training and hard work.

If you are looking at this exciting profession, you probably want to know: how long does it take to become a paediatric surgeon?

In this walkthrough, we’ll cover each step of the process and all the important milestones and timelines.

You will at the end understand everything you need to know in order to get into this very prestigious field and how to get ready for it.

What is a Pediatric Surgeon?

A paediatric surgeon is a doctor who does surgery on children, babies, and young people.

Such surgeons work on everything from birth defects and injury to cancer and terminal illnesses.

They require a combination of surgical knowhow, humanisation and ability to communicate with young patients and families.

What a Pediatric Surgeon Dos and Don’ts Have to Do?

• Child surgery diagnosis and treatment.
• Perform special surgeries, like organ transplants or reconstructive surgery for birth defects.
• Working with paediatricians, oncologists, and other specialists to treat them all.
• Offers follow-up care and records the healing.

How I Become a Pediatric Surgeon

1. High School: Getting Things Right (4 Years)

This is going to start with high school, and there you need to be academically best, in science and math classes.

Biology, chemistry, physics — those subjects set the stage for what you’ll do afterwards.

Tips for High School Success:

• Take part in club activities such as science clubs or hospital volunteer work.
• Get a high GPA for your college applications.
• Think Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) biology and chemistry courses.

Duration: 4 years

2. Graduation: Bachelor’s Degree (4 Years)

Then, you graduate high school and then go on to get a bachelor’s degree.

The vast majority of interested paediatric surgeons enter on a pre-med route: majoring in biology, chemistry or biochemistry.

What You Need To Do During Your Undergraduate Years:

• Keep a great GPA (3.5 or higher).
• Take pre-med courses such as organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics to get ready for medical school.
• Get clinical work in internships, volunteering or as a physician’s shadow.
• Preparation and taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

Duration: 4 years

3. Medical School: Become a Doctor (4 Years)

After undergraduate school, you move on to medical school.

Medical school is very competitive, and how you do during this period plays a big part in getting you a residency in paediatric surgery.

Medical School Curriculum:

• Years 1–2: Classroom learning of topics such as anatomy, physiology, drugs, pathology etc.
• 3–4 years: Practicum experience in the specialty specialties, such as pediatrics, general surgery, and internal medicine, through rotations.

Key Tips for Medical School:

• Develop good connections with mentors and faculty for letters of recommendation.
• Take part in studies on paediatric surgery.
• Do well on clinical rotations – surgery, paediatrics etc.

Duration: 4 years

4. Residency in General Surgery: Learning to Operate (5–7 Years)

You get your MD, then it’s general surgery residency.

It teaches you by example, surgical procedure, patient care, and medical decision-making.

Residency Highlights:

• Do surgery under the expert hands of the surgeons.
• Go around a lot of specialties, like trauma surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery.
• Acquire skills in surgeries, patient care, and aftercare.

Key Tips for Residency:

• Look for rotations or research projects in paediatric surgery to help your fellowship application.
• Do well on Step 3 of the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) while in residency.

Period: 5–7 years (dependant on program)

5. Paediatric Surgery Fellowship: Paediatrician (2 Years)

The next step in your general surgery residency is a fellowship in paediatric surgery.

The trained specialist is trained only to diagnose and treat children’s surgical disorders.

What to Expect from a Fellowship in Pediatric Surgery:

• Reception in advanced surgery for the pediatric population.
• Working with complicated cases, like neonatal surgeries and children oncology cases.
• Working with multidisciplinary groups to treat as a whole person.

Duration: 2 years

6. Board Certification: Proving Your Expertise

Following your fellowship, the last thing on your list is board certification. That means passing examinations held by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and the American Board of Pediatric Surgery.

Certification Process:

• Do well on the General Surgery Board Exam.
• Do well on the Pediatric Surgery Board Examination.
• Continue to update with continuing medical education (CME) and periodically re-certification exams.

Duration: Some months, though it’s prepared quite early.

Time It Takes to Be a Pediatric Surgeon: 5 Months

Let’s sum up the timelines:

Total: 15–17 years

It takes 15–17 years after high school on average to become a fully trained paediatric surgeon.

Getting There from the Ground Up: Obstacles to Pediatric Surgery

1. Lengthy Training Period

The long training curve can be a real turn off. To remain engaged and focused for 15+ years requires perseverance and a love of the subject.

2. Competitive Fellowship Programs

Children’s surgery fellowships are competitive. Achievement on the SATs, in the lab, and glowing testimonials count.

3. Financial Costs

Medical school and residency cost money. But there are scholarships, grants and loan forgiveness that can lower the cost.

Why Choose Pediatric Surgery?

Pediatric surgery is without parallel, both professionally and personally.

And you can be a paediatric surgeon and do:

• Give back in a meaningful way to children and families.
• Develop novel procedures and cures.
• Enjoy stable jobs and good pay (average salary is $400,000–$600,000 annually).

How to Get into Pediatric Surgery as a Surgeon?

1. Start Early: Build an academic foundation in high school and college.
2. Gain Clinical Experience: Seek out shadowing and internships in paediatric surgery for real-world experience.
3. Build a Strong Network: Learn from coaches and industry veterans who can lead you.
4. Focus on Research: Taking part in pediatric research projects can improve your medical school and fellowship applications.
5. Stay Resilient: The process is long but it’s worth it if you’re dedicated to your end.

Final Thoughts

Being a paediatric surgeon is one of the most challenging but most rewarding jobs out there.

It takes me more than 15 years, but every step is a learning experience that can be used as preparation for a successful career working with children.

You just have to know what to expect, and then get ready to make your career as a paediatric surgeon.

And if you’re ready to kick off this incredible journey, then the first step is to prioritize where you are at right now and what you can do.

Nonetheless, with hard work, passion and love for children’s medicine, you can make it in this difficult but rewarding profession.