Children's Web Magazine

If you are good at science you may well be interested in becoming a doctor. There are a number of opportunities that you can specialize in whether that is as a GP (General Practitioner) or a doctor working in a hospital.
Doctors work very long hours and they tend to work shifts which includes nights and weekends. It takes 5 years of study at university to qualify as a doctor. It is not just academic study you would be doing you will also get practical experience working in a hospital. You will also find out about all the different aspects of medicine.
To be a doctor you need to work well in a team and be a good leader, be an extremely good communicator, and be able to put people at ease. Sometimes you will have to make quick and acute decisions and be able to work under pressure. You will also need to work to a high professional standard. You will need to move with the times as medical techniques and research will continue to advance you will have to be able to advance and update your knowledge with it. You will not only have to have a scientific ability but you will have to be interested in caring for people as well as healthcare in general. A lot of doctors will work in the NHS as well as in private practice as a doctor. You can also work in the Armed forces, prison service and other public organisations.
Having to work long hours in hospital is not the only thing you will have to do. Doctors spend most of their time on their feet. Although you may be a qualified doctor after 5 years but it will be a number of years before your training stops. You will have to do a 2 year foundation programme once you have graduated. If you want to specialise this could take 5 to 7 years.
© Children's Web Magazine 2009