Before talking about the steps to become a doctor, a question that you need to ask yourself is, whether you want to be a doctor or not! There are some skills that you need to possess in order to become a successful doctor. Key skills required to become a doctor are Problem solving, leadership, empathy, and communication; proficiency with specialized tools and technology; emotional stability and ability to handle stress. If you think you have these skills, then only you would be able to become an efficient doctor. It is always better to get a thorough knowledge about what you are getting into. Since you have shown some interest in the field of a doctor, you need to know what being a doctor really is. 

Doctors are the people who identify and treat the people with illness or any kind of injury. It is obviously one of the most prestigious professions among the youth but it is also to be kept in mind that this prestige comes with a great responsibility. Their responsibilities include examining people, performing tests and discussing the test results. A minor mistake by a doctor can have a direct impact on the life of the patient. But nothing can match the sense of happiness and satisfaction that you get by helping people feel better and even save their lives! 

The steps to become a doctor are very long and also very expensive. The financial profit after becoming a doctor is also very great if you are working in the private sector. They are able to earn high incomes through the private sector. The person who is able to manage extreme stress and emotional stability can only succeed in becoming a doctor.

Know as well : What is the procedure for becoming a doctor in Army?

The steps to become a doctor are as follows. This is a roadmap you need to follow if you want to be a successful doctor: 

Step One 'Get a Bachelor's degree':

The first step to becoming a doctor is to get a bachelor's degree. It is necessary in order to get through a medical school. It will help in filling your raw mind with necessary skills and a background knowledge about natural sciences. It will also provide an experience healthcare settings. The subjects compulsory to study at the undergraduate level are Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Step Two 'Sit for Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)':

After getting your bachelor's degree, you have stepped on the next milestone. The second step to becoming a doctor is to sit for MCAT in order to get admission in a good medical school. Almost all the medical colleges in the country give admissions on the basis of your MCAT scores. The subjects you need to need to study for MCAT are Biology, Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, and Physics. The exam also tests your other skills such as problem-solving, writing skills and verbal reasoning. These are the areas you need to excel to crack this entrance examination and get admission in a good medical school. 

  Read Also : What steps should I take to become a well-established doctor?

Step three 'Get the Medical Degree':

The third step to becoming a doctor is to earn a medical degree from a good medical school. The medical school will require four years of your life to make you expert in each field. The first two years will include classroom and laboratory learning. The next two years you will face real time experience by dealing directly with the patients under expert supervision.

Step four 'Complete a Residency Program':

The third step to becoming a doctor is to complete a residency program. These programs help the students gain experience by dealing directly with the patients with a specialty in the area of medicine. The diverse specialty areas of medicine include internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and anesthesiology. These programs are offered by many of the hospitals and it lasts for a time duration between three to seven years.

 Step five 'Get Licensure':

The fifth step to becoming a doctor is to get yourself licensed. To obtain a license the candidate has to sit for different examinations. The license has to renew after a specific period. Different states have different strategies for licensing. You need to gather information about your state and get yourself licensed. No doctor can practice without getting a valid license. With the completion of this step, you can now proceed towards the last step to become a doctor.

Also Read : I am curious to know about the course structure of MBBS.

Step six 'Obtain Certification to Advance Career':

Getting a certificate is not compulsory, but it may help you in gaining better employment opportunities. In order to get certified, you need to get through many assessments and evaluations.

For further queries and related information, you can approach the Professional Experts at CareerGuide. Hope this will help you!