Studying medical residency in the US through the experience of a Vietnamese-born doctor

 Studying medical residency in the US through the experience of a Vietnamese-born doctor

Christina Nguyen said that studying medicine in the US does not need to pay tuition fees, on the contrary, it is also paid, an average of 64,000 USD a year.

Dr. Christina Nguyen (Nguyen Ngoc Trang) is currently a family doctor for CommonSpirit, one of the leading non-profit medical organizations in the US. She is also a clinical instructor for medical students and is the author of two books to help learn English and use English in medical care.

The Hue-born female doctor lived in Nebraska state, graduated with honors from Creighton University, then continued her medical studies and residency training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Before becoming a family doctor, she spent more than ten years studying.

In addition to her job as a family doctor, Christina Nguyen also has a YouTube channel, her own page to guide learning English and share her experience of studying and working in the US. Photo: Character provided

In addition to her job as a family doctor, Christina Nguyen also has a YouTube channel, her own page to guide learning English and share her experience of studying and working in the US. Photo: Character provided

Christina Nguyen shared, in the US, before studying medicine, students need to complete a university program and have a bachelor's degree. Then, they must register for the required classes (pre-requisites), prepare for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test - medical school standardized test).

The required courses are part of the undergraduate system and are also required for graduation for students majoring in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. Therefore, students studying these majors will be more favorable. Other majors need to arrange additional classes if they want to apply.

"Because of this condition, students of any major can apply to medical school, as long as they take all the prescribed classes," the doctor explained.

According to Christina, after being admitted, students should determine which major they want to pursue in order to have the necessary preparation for the residency program. Application for boarding will be made in the final year. In the United States, to practice, all doctors need to undergo residency training in programs accredited by the ACGME. The ACGME is responsible for accrediting graduate medical training programs for physicians in the United States.

The boarding process takes 3-7 years depending on the major. After that, doctors can even further train in Fellowship programs if they want.

"The total time, if you are not interrupted, will take 11 to 15 years, or more after graduating from high school," Christina Nguyen said.

Average salary received by residents each year according to Medscape's 2021 statistics.

Average salary received by residents each year according to Medscape's 2021 statistics.

According to her, the interesting thing about the medical residency training program in the US is that doctors are seen as workers, not learners. Therefore, during the residential training period, they do not need to pay tuition fees, on the contrary, they are also paid a salary.

The remuneration table of the University of Nebraska Medical Center shows that the salary for a first-year resident is $ 59,570, second year over $ 61,000. In their 10th year (6 years residency, four more intensive years), they earn over 86,000 USD per year.

Statistics for 2021 from Medscape, a prestigious journal in the medical industry, show that the average salary of a resident is $64,000 a year and will increase over time. The first year average is 57,000 USD, the second year is about 60,000 USD, the third year is 62,000 USD to 6-8 years is 70,300 USD.

In addition to salary, learners also enjoy benefits such as vacation, maternity/paternity leave, health insurance, disability insurance, personal insurance. life insurance, retirement plans, and meal allowances, according to the University of Nebraska Medical Center's website.

Christina Nguyen added that applying for medical residency in the US is quite competitive, and priority is given to those who attended medical school in the US. Therefore, to become a doctor in the US, the shortest and most favorable path for young people is to study abroad from high school or right after entering university.

Physicians studying medicine in Vietnam and other countries who wish to enroll in a US medical residency will need an ECFMG certification, so that residency programs can determine that you have received medical training that is equivalent to the standards. standard in the US.

ECFMG is the Committee on Education of Foreign Medical Students authorized to guide and evaluate the qualifications of doctors and graduates of medical schools outside the United States.

"The path to applying for medical residency in the US is quite arduous for people going to medical school outside of the US. However, there is a good rule that they can reapply if they are not successful the first time," she shared. .

Residency programs are trending towards physicians who sign up within 5 years of medical graduation. Christina Nguyen thinks this is a very beneficial thing, because she can spend time reviewing and registering many times.