What are the pros and cons of being a neurosurgeon?

Pros:

• Competitive Benefits. Becoming a neurosurgeon requires extensive education and skill. Because of this specialization, neurosurgeons make extremely good money, with the average being over $260,000 per year, and they enjoy great benefits such as medical insurance and retirement plans.

• Stability. Hospitals and surgical centers are a crucial part of society, which is great for neurosurgeons. Job stability helps people feel comfortable and confident and neurosurgeons can enjoy a high level of stability.

• Respect. Neurosurgery is a respected career, as it requires high levels of skill and intellect. Many people feel great satisfaction for working in a position that they feel is a respected, impressive role.

Cons:

• Extensive Education Requirements. Neurosurgeons hold doctorate degrees and they also complete a residency, along with a fellowship. These requirements often take over a decade of dedication. They also can be extremely expensive.

• Liability. Neurosurgeons have the responsibility of safely and accurately performing surgery on a patient's nervous system, specifically the brain or spinal cord. Any errors could lead to potential lawsuits and litigation. An error could also seriously harm a patient.

• Work-life Balance. Neurosurgeons often work long hours, and as surgery is not something that conveniently only occurs during working hours, these shifts can be at any time, and even on holidays. Neurosurgeons may often be on call even when they aren't in the hospital working, which can make work-life balance a difficult thing to obtain for many neurosurgeons