Medical Schools


Medical schools, colleges, and universities lay the foundation for careers in fields of medicine for aspiring nurses, technicians, therapists, and doctors. Students have many choices for gaining a solid medical education. The various accredited medical schools each declare various educational missions and teaching methods; this allows students to find the one medical degree program that suits personal goals and individual expectations.

Some specializations that can be found in medical schools are: public health, medical doctor, nursing, psychiatry, physical therapy, engineering, biochemistry, primary care, research, academics, and biomedical engineering, among others. Students should consider if they prefer teaching or working with people over performing research in laboratories. The choice of schools, as well as courses and programs of study can greatly influence life-long endeavors. Students should carefully consider selected medical schools and medical programs so as to choose a medical education that is complementary to long-term objectives and life goals. They should be mindful of time constraints, community or social needs, and personal interests.

Generally, medical training will begin with studies of anatomy, physiology, biology, pharmacology, and pathology. Second year students will focus on fields of choice and specializations.

Nursing degrees from medical schools can vary, including such programs as Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Registered Nurse (RN), and Master of Science in Nursing with specializations in areas, such as Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMH-CNS) or Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Practitioner (PMH-CNS and NP). Clinical nursing classes are included in the final two or three years of nursing training. Courses for RN programs will include theory and clinical experience in various hospital and clinical settings.

Psychiatric studies will include mental health, behavioral sciences, research, theory, counseling practices, and much more. A wide selection of specializations are possible in this field, including substance abuse treatment, counseling, community health programs, and psychiatric and psychological doctor.

The third year for aspiring doctors preparing for professions in internal medicine will depend on the chosen school. Some medical schools depend heavily on reading and lectures, while others teach almost exclusively in laboratory settings. Some begin teaching programs by focusing on a single organ and its functions, examining the anatomy, pharmacology, pathology, and behavior of the systems involved with that one organ. Learning may take place in clinics or laboratories under the guidance of a professor. These are good choices for self-directed students who will succeed as members of a team.

The subject of internal medicine will move studies into clinical work, with students taking residency in hospitals associated with schools, and making clinical and surgical rotations. Education in this setting may be more important than the actual choice of schools, as characteristics of hospitals greatly influence the students' experience. Urban hospitals deal with trauma and emergency medicine, or infectious diseases in diverse ethnic populations. Hospital size, specialties, technology, and mortality rates will also affect experiences that determine the type of physician, psychiatrist, nurse, or biochemist the student will become. Many hospitals are actively involved in the communities in which they reside. Volunteer opportunities in clinical care can be very rich and educationally rewarding in these settings.

Pursuing a career in biomedical research should be undertaken only at medical schools with proven leadership roles in medical research. The same is true for students interested in academic medicine (Doctor of Philosophy, PhD), i.e., students interested in teaching should consider schools with a reputation for state-of-the-art academics and those that take an experimental approach to medicine and treatments, such as those schools associated with children's hospitals, cardiovascular hospitals, or oncology treatment centers.

If you would like to know more about Medical Schools, or even Online Medical Schools, we invite you to search our website where you will find numerous schools eager to give you all the information you need to start an exciting new career.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2007 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. Find Medical Schools and Online Medical Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools, Natural Healing Schools, and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.