Should I Become a Doctor
Working as a doctor is indeed a very noble profession and all your hard work seems to pay off when you treat your patients and they recover well. Doctors strive to provide excellent healthcare to their patients and they may specialize to treat a particular category of health problem. For instance, they may specialize to work as Physicians, Pediatricians, Cardiologists and Pathologists and so on.
Education Required | A doctoral or a professional degree at least |
Major Requirement | Doctor of medicine (MD) or another related subject |
License/Certification | State licensure is mandatory |
Experience/Training | Residency program at a hospital (3-7 years) |
Key Skills | Dexterity, Physical Stamina, Empathy, Patience, Decision-making, Leadership and Communication Skills etc. |
Annual Mean Salary – US (2020) | $218,850 (Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric |
Annual Mean Salary – Oklahoma (2020) | $205,440 (Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric) |
Job Outlook – Oklahoma (2018-2028) | 3% (Physicians and Surgeons) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019)
Career Requirements
Doctors mostly stay on their feet and work long hours in different parts of the hospital such as, emergency room, operation theater, pathology lab and so on. One of the most difficult parts of a doctor’s job is to make life altering decisions in a matter of minutes and they do it all day long. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that doctors show compassion, patience, empathy, teamwork, critical-thinking skills and leadership capabilities.
Steps to Become a Doctor in Oklahoma
Ready to get started? Look through this detailed guide to begin preparations for this career.
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- Bachelor’s Degree
The very first milestone for you to achieve is completing a 4-years bachelor’s degree. A degree in any subject related to biological sciences is a pre-requisite to medical school.
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- The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
With a bachelor’s degree you are equipped to take the MCAT exam and enroll in a medical school. It is mandatory for all graduates to take this test.
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- Medical School
Completion of a 4 year Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a related degree at a medical school is the cornerstone of this profession. There are many medical schools in Oklahoma, like the College of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma, that offer a 4-year MD degree.
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- Residency Program
All medical school graduates are required to complete a 3 to 7 year residency at a hospital. It prepares them to specialize in their area of interest and is also necessary for licensure.
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- Oklahoma State License
The Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision issues license to doctors. All interested candidates must,
- Have an MD or a related degree from an accredited medical school
- Cleared the examination for licensure
- Not have a criminal record in the database
- Complete an application and pay a fee
How Long Does It Take to Become a Doctor in Oklahoma?
Working as a licensed doctor may take at least 10 to 12 years (or may be even more). To become a licensed doctor, you must fulfill the following requirements,
- Complete a 4-year MD or a relevant degree
- Graduate from (3 to 7 year) residency program
- Clear a series of relevant national medical exams i.e., USMLE, FLEX or NBME.
- Apply for a state issued license
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Doctor in Oklahoma?
To practice as a licensed doctor in Oklahoma, all doctors must have:
- Completed the required medical education (e.g., a 4-year MD)
- Received training via a residency program (3-7 years at a hospital)
- Passed a series of medical licensure exams
- Documented proof of a recent clinical practice
How Much Can I Make as a Doctor in Oklahoma?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2020 that Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric employed in the state of Oklahoma had an annual mean salary of $205,440.
Career Outlook for Doctors in Oklahoma
According to O*Net Online, “Physicians, All Other” in Oklahoma will enjoy 3% job growth between 2018 and 2028.
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