The Pacifier

Caleb – future neonatologist

I became interested in neonatology when my twin brothers were born two years ago. One of them had to go to the N.I.C.U (neonatal intensive care unit), and the idea frightened me. I had always known that life is a precious, fragile thing. To sum it all up, it scared me to see my new baby brother attached to all these machines and tubes. Then, I realized that they were just trying to protect him. That is when my gears started to spin about this new career.

A N.I.C.U. doctor's job is to help care for newborn babies that have difficulties with mainly premature births. I could work in hospitals in the pregnancy and birth department. These doctors strive to save the lives of people, and I want to have that chance to save a life.

To become a N.I.C.U. doctor, a student is required to attend and complete high school, college, four years of a bachelor's degree program, four years of medical school, and five to seven years of residency work in neonatal medicine.

Neonatologists' average salaries vary from $161,732 to $229,041 per year, and the "Modern Healthcare" magazine collected a survey of salaries in 16 of the hospitals of the medical world. The median is about $207,873. There is said to be an "echo boom" in the child-bearing of grandchildren and children, making more job slots available for neonatologists.

I researched the topic, salaries. and statistics on the internet. Even though it will take a lot of work, I just wish to leave my mark on Earth for the better.