Training to become a neurosurgeon is both incredibly rewarding and incredibly difficult. But is it more difficult than it needs to be and how can we make the experience better? On this episode, I’m pleased to speak with University of Louisville chief resident Dr. Aurora Cruz about neurosurgical training, residency, leadership, burnout, and her advice for prospective neurosurgery residents.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…
- A day in the life of a modern neurosurgery resident [3:56]
- How COVID has affected the neurosurgery training experience [5:24]
- The unexpected challenges of neurosurgery residency [7:18]
- Dr. Cruz’s advice for residents with spouses and children [9:22]
- Advice for those considering studying neurosurgery [12:18]
- Pursuing professional goals in the field of neurosurgery [13:57]
- Fighting burnout and improving resident wellness [21:02]
- The biggest impediments to learning neurosurgery and the acquisition of appropriate psychomotor skills [26:38]
- Mentorship in neurosurgery residency [29:27]
- Describing the modern neurosurgery residency experience [32:48]
- Training neurosurgery residents to become better leaders [39:52]
- Book recommendations from Dr. Cruz [42:48]
- Advice for struggling residents [44:10]
- Dr. Cruz answers the magic wand question [46:32]
Unexpected challenges
Neurosurgery residency is filled with its share of universal and unique challenges. One of the biggest challenges for Dr. Cruz was learning how to expect the unexpected. She said that learning how to adapt to plan changes and things outside of her control is a big key to her success. Another challenge for Dr. Cruz is learning how to be an adult learner. Undergrad for her felt like the childhood of higher learning and medical school was a continuation of that. Residency, on the other hand, was an entirely different situation in that so much of it requires you to learn on your own. However, there is still a hierarchy so learning how to balance your maturity as an adult as well as learn from others and respect the authority of your superiors is extremely important.
Have the right priorities
As a neurosurgery resident with a spouse and children, learning how to prioritize was critical for Dr. Cruz’s success. Priorities may change from moment to moment, but having clarity on what is important to her, knowing how to shift those priorities, and triage things throughout the day was a lifesaver. Oprah once said, “You can have it all. You just can’t have it all at once.” Moment to moment, day to day, hour to hour, you have to pick which things you’re going to prioritize so that you are not trying to have it all at once and then losing out on things. For Dr. Cruz, it’s about maximizing productivity, not compromising other things that are important to her and her family.
Keep your eyes wide open
Improving attrition rates should be the goal of any successful neurosurgery residency program. Dr. Cruz believes a critical part of making it through neurosurgery residency is understanding exactly what you are getting yourself into before you begin. Making a pre-commitment to show up for the long hours that keep you away from sleep and family will help you get through even the darkest of times during residency. Dr. Cruz says prospective residents shouldn’t go into anything blind, but instead go in with their eyes wide open. Neurosurgery is an incredible field with high highs and low lows. As long as students can find a “North Star” that reminds them of what’s important and why they love neurosurgery, they’ll be successful in this or anything else they pursue.
Resources & People Mentioned
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