Finding Work Life Balance as a Brain Surgeon

Are the neurosurgery stereotypes really true? Are neurosurgeons overworked, stressed, and strangers to their own families?

I'm here to tell you that work life balance IS possible as a busy brain surgeon, but it takes flexibility, give and take, and commitment to your values to make it happen. Join me as I discuss how neurosurgery brings me joy and satisfaction in my life, but only when counterbalanced with family time and self-care. Being thoughtful about what specialty you choose, what practice style you have, and how you structure your time is critical to maintaining balance.

[martinrutkowskimd]

Navigating work life balance often means the difference between happiness and dissatisfaction, fulfillment and burnout. How do you find balance?

[gitarist]

As a neurosurgeon, I am neurosurgeon, and while being neurosurgeon, I want to share my opinion as a neurosurgeon. As a fully board certified neurosurgeon, I just want to tell you that I am a neurosurgeon, and wrote this comment, as a neurosurgeon.

[amrezzedin]

I have been so interested in Neurosurgery!
Currently I am studying CNS module: neuroanatomy, physiology, etc. Your videos make me more interested doc, I love this channel ❤️

[LOG]

I'm so happy I found you on Youtube, Doc. I am a pre-med student and really want to become a neurosurgeon. I wonder if you can make a video about books you recommend for pre-med & medical students? I mean I know your profound knowledge comes from real-life experience; however, for students who are still discovering this world, books are another crucial source to shape the vision and give rise to contemplation. Thank you so much, Doc!

[ryanoboyle]

This guy makes my dream feel possible. Thanks!

[Sona.]

You are right. Your profession isn’t your whole identity and it’s important to do things outside of your career. I’m a pediatric speech therapist and I’ve really made it a priority to not let my
job define me as a person. Exercise, reading, and meditation helps. Thank you for spreading awareness on work life balance.

[alexnguyen]

Dr. Rutknowski, thank you so much for sharing your beliefs and practices on life/work balance. I want to go into a surgical specialty and I'm also married, so seeing you saying that it is all possible to carry the responsibilities of being a surgeon, enjoy your work, take care of yourself and give time to your loved ones gives me hopes and inspires me to keep going!

[yashgajjar]

Thank you for this video! I am a high school senior interested in neurosurgery and this was one of my primary questions about the field, thanks for clearing it up!

[javiermartinez]

Soy estudiante de medicina de Chile y me quedan unos pocos años para elegir especialidad, este tipo de relatos son los mejores ya que no hay mejor información que la que viene de primera mano. Neurocirugía es una de mis opciones a tener en cuenta, así que agradezco el tiempo y esfuerzo para realizar estos videos :) son muy útiles jeje

Disculpe el español, me dio pereza escribir en inglés jajaja

[arenbeers]

Thanks for shedding light with honesty, perspective and hope.

[darthmetalus]

Great video! Not only for aspiring neurosurgeons but for all young medstudents who are still struggling to get their life together especially when all their responsibilities are so time consuming. Making these career choices from this perspective seems pretty hard sometimes 😅 Thank you, Doctor.

[giovannisignaroldi]

That definitely was the video I was waiting for!! I'm now studying in med school in Italy, and I'd love to see a video about neurosurgery for Img. Thank you for your good work, this channel is just amazing

[CZMCIQ]

Needed to hear this and will definitely come back to listen in times of anxiety/doubt about future lifestyle prospects. Thank you Dr. Rutkowski!

[Rawhite]

I like this video because it gives a realistic take about what to expect and what is feasible and what is not. Some weeks will be more demanding than others and some won't so spend it with those who have supported you.

Deeply appreciate realistic dive of what happens behind the scenes so to speak, life ain't easy but rewarding at the end of this path.

also @ 1:30, your last video showed that & seem a glimpse of the brain was pretty cool !

Hope there's more videos like this one that are real & honest, & more procedure videos because those are cool in general 👀

[danielj]

Great video and insight. Work life balance is something that is underrated, but must be evaluated by everybody in every specialty. In conclusion, LOVE THE PROCESS and neurosurgery will give you love. TRUST THE PROCESS and neurosurgery will make the best version of yourself. Thanks for the video. Greetings from Ecuador

[johnraven]

All of this pressure and you still find time to inspire us about neurosurgery. Love the consistency and diligence dr.!

[kevinwoloszyn]

I’m just an overworked pharmacist, but this video came up in my feed at just the right time! Thanks much!!

[muadh]

Can you please make a video of possible pathways pros and cons after general neurosurgery residency? And give a glimpse of what kind of diseases/operations they handle, etc.

I will check your channel in case you already done it.

[bullholder]

Really motivational video Dr. Martin.

Neurosurgery residency I have heard is incredibly tough and rigorous, though it definitely makes sense given it's such a tough specialty. I liked your point about how it goes from being work to being a privilege. I agree that medicine in general cannot simply be compared to a 9-5 job. I guess with surgery in particular, as long as you go into it for the right reasons (with a genuine interest not just looking up average salaries) and with the right motivation, at the end all your efforts will be worthwhile as there are so many paths you can take so you can shape your life as an attending how you wish.
In most highflying careers be it law, investment banking, computer science, medicine or even as an entrepeneur to get the rewards at the end of the road you need to put the effort in your formative years. That is what motivates me in my pursuit for orthopedics!

[CuriousDoc]

Useful advice for any busy career. It's all about your values and priorities!