A Day in the Life of a Neurosurgery Resident

Nathaniel Ellens, MD, shares insight into what a day is like for a neurosurgery resident at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Learn more about the
Neurosurgery Residency Program by visiting our website: www.urmc.rochester.edu/educat...
Neurosurgery Skills Lab: www.urmc.rochester.edu/educat...
UR Medicine Department of Neurosurgery: www.urmc.rochester.edu/neuros...
UR Medicine Department of Neurosurgery Twitter: / urneurosurgery

[@iloveSUVs]

In med school I did a Neurosurgery elective just to see what it was like. The chief resident didn't go home for 6 days straight. Yet he still loved it. I decided NS was not for me, but respect to those who choose this life.

[@flaminmongrel6955]

same with all fields in India

[@DaTriggaFinger]

@@flaminmongrel6955prolly not lol

[@Felipe.87]

Bucha

[@Essays4College]

I know some husbands that don't go home for several days either. Only it's for different reasons. LOL

[@Chad_Max]

You can see from bags under his eyes that he doesn't have much free time...

[@Wjeremiahh]

This guy seems so cool, if I were to meet him outside of the hospital I would never know he’s a NEUROSURGEON. 🤝🏼

[@weeeeeoow]

BRUHHHHH, LITERALLY. IN MY HEAD I WAS LIKE THIS DUDE SEEMS SO FRIENDLY, LIKE FOR REAL, HE DOESNT GIVE OFF EGO VIBES

[@Wjeremiahh]

We want more of this guy!!

[@louisdelarampe2319]

​@@weeeeeoow He's just a resident doing small cases, you get the big ego inflation once you're the attending neurosurgeon

[@garionrivera5759]

That’s the thing, you’ll never see him outside the hospital because they never leave.

[@Chad_Max]

Usually, they look fit but older than their years around the eyes...

[@neilpatel1914]

What a motivated guy. Fits in runs to and from work to stay active even while working 15 hours a day.

[@nolanjamesbrown2960]

neilpatel you are a legend

[@413smr]

IMO it's a stress reliever too.

[@lindamastropietro4429]

That’s what probably takes the edge off

[@NShah-ey3ul]

I think Id collapse. Mad respect

[@DavidT_510]

This man leaves work and has more energy and positivity than I do when I'm just starting my day. Thank you Dr Ellens for what you do.

[@cynthiadelacruz2862]

He makes the day seem like any normal day when in fact he's doing operations one after the other. 😮 Just the breadth of knowledge, the ability to sustain prolonged physical and mental effort, and the patience needed daily. Salute to you doctor ❤🫡

[@realtespa8956]

I mean...... He wasted like 20-25 years of his life in school with hundreds of thousands in debt. So I'd have that to lmao.

[@lukerichardson2404]

@@realtespa8956 Wasted…right. Ask the stroke patient if those years were wasted

[@impresssed1213]

didnt waste it but sure he spent that many years of his life studying@@realtespa8956

[@yeet3833]

@@realtespa8956 ''wasted' ? dude lmao you need to go back to school to learn difference b/w wasted and learned

[@tab8294]

Wasted?! if he saves your mom then you also say that?​@@realtespa8956

[@mukund43]

Well he is more or less protected against sun-damage because it’s dark on his way in and out of the hospital. Kudos to this man and his dedication :)

[@wholeNwon]

@@user-mo2sg8mf5k There's not much sunshine in Rochester during the winters.

[@muskurahatt]

I am proud of my son he is also a doctor like this guy

[@wholeNwon]

That's great. You are a major reason that he is the man he is.

[@weeeeeoow]

to all the med studs , aspiring med studs, and everyone else, never give up! IT'S ALL POSSIBLE✨. Thank you UR Medicine for this piece💖

[@MultiCinderella23]

Our son Joe works with you. Thank you for all your dedication and expertise!

[@ChildOfSun23]

I have deep respect for those who work in this field. You all are a special breed!

[@Essays4College]

Seriously this guy is super impressive! A real hero for the community.

[@marilynknight8721]

I am so thankful for Neurosurgery I just had DOUBLE back surgery 2 day operation. ❤❤❤ cannot say enough . Thank you for giving me my life back . God Bless ALL OF YOU ❤❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@cradleofanaya8391]

Thank you for what you do sir 💪🏽 all surgeons are amazing human beings! Not all hero’s wear capes , but most of them wear scrubs 👨‍⚕️ 👩‍⚕️ 🩺

[@Bigoliver101]

you guys have so much energy, respect.

[@Bald_Matt]

These are the types of people you want working in the OR. Love the dedication, very motivational!

[@tula7141]

Bless you and God Bless all Doctors who spend years learning and honing their craft. We own you so much. I am 60, and I would not be here without my coveted Doctors who healed my body ❤

[@tonyb7748]

I worked as a welder with similar hours on places that were built for Hospitals and even on repairing medical equipment. Getting to meet similar work minded people was king! The doctors that wanted custom instruments made or modified was my favorite.

[@ownthispwn]

Thanks for uploading this. This was cool to see. These guys work hard fr.

[@tazdecto]

Kudos to you as busy as you are day in and out and still get ur exercise in👍

[@Kaisersozze]

Why are hospitals such depressing caves. They need to design them a lot better with natural light. I feel sorry for all these doctors that never see the light of day, it must have a negative effect on their mental health over the years.

[@wholeNwon]

That's not a reflection of Strong Memorial in general. It's a beautiful place.

[@KL60486]

Even if i have the knowledge and skills i wouldnt be able to handle this physically. I see patients in a room sitting down 9-5 and im already dead by the end. Salute to this guy!

[@damingtang2706]

When I was in my IM residency, I arrive to hospital at 4am started my own rounding, I saw surgery team already kind of finished their team rounding…at 7am when I started my team rounding, they already started their daily surgical operations….crazy team, but excellent….it is almost the same all over USA.

[@wholeNwon]

Yup. But awakening sick pts. at ungodly hours, often without really good reasons, is not conducive to healing.

[@loribach534]

That's a long day! Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@Padoinky]

Dude is a machine…assume if he went to M and then to UR SofM or if he’s just doing his neuro residency at UofR Strong Memorial Hospital, he’s a very bright guy w/ superior motor functions

[@Russianboyz95]

superior motor functions? lol

[@wholeNwon]

I was a fellow at the U. of R.'s Strong Memorial Hospital. It was a very impressive institution then and can only be more so now. When I was within a few weeks of completing my fellowship in Cardiology, I was approached by the Chief of Surgery who said that members of the Dept. of Surgery had discussed my work/performance and that they wanted me to stay and do surgery with a guarantee of one of the CT fellowship positions. I declined because I didn't think that I would be a really outstanding CT surgeon, already had some spine issues and would have to endure the Rochester winters for more years.

[@KandeShack]

I think all Neurosurgeons are amazing! I got three opinions for my back surgeon and am so happy I decided on the one I did. I had ALIF surgery (L5/S1) two months ago. I wish I hadn’t waited so long. After being in Pain Management for 16 years, I love that I’m pretty much pain free!

[@wholeNwon]

A good point that "pain management" practices for long periods of time when better therapy is available is inappropriate.

[@MBilalShaikh]

Wow! What a passionate young man!

[@conraddash8686]

Thank you for your service

[@artisticanna5275]

He has such a great personality

[@mms8393]

I always enjoyed Paul Mauer's lectures....

[@maxxxgsd]

Doing Gods work ! Bless you

[@infectdiseaseepidemiology2599]

Go blue and go Yellowjackets. My undergrad was UR nad multiple degrees and grad training was Michigan

[@silasketgaskets8709]

old ER doc here; in the old days we had no work hour limits. normal admitting shift as residents 32 hours or more usually without sleep. I have heard neurosurgeons speak candidly to me believing the reason there are so few training spots is to maintain prestige and in doing so ensures overworked residents.

[@YG-kk4ey]

Prestige or to make sure salaries stay high? That is the reason medical slots are limited and capped. To make sure demand is always more than supply.

[@rypere1788]

@@YG-kk4ey You don't think it might have something to do with clinical placement and residency logistics? No? All medical schools (globally) conspiring to fix the prices of healthcare (even in countries with "free" healthcare!)?

[@YG-kk4ey]

@@rypere1788 Absolutely not. The government can fund this in a heartbeat. They can open up many slots for hospitals with funding. This isn't a conspiracy that I'm saying. This is voted for by the American Medical Association. Just Google it. Common knowledge (or anyone with an economic degree). As for other countries? Yes many have free medical school entry. This isn't a global issue. They have other problems such as low salaries.

[@YG-kk4ey]

@@rypere1788 I should say they collectively lobbied Congress.

[@rypere1788]

@@YG-kk4ey They could take a million additional students on this year, that doesn't create additional residency spots. They tried this in the UK - the result was a massive bottleneck, ergo nobody can complete their training in a reasonable timeframe and their junior (resident/new graduate) doctors simply leave the country, dumping their enormous student debt in the process. The doctor shortage is global phenomenon, not because of some bizarre conspiracy among medics, but simply because it takes at least a decade to train one, with some specialties taking 15 years. There are simply not enough people in the general population who can perform neurosurgery.

[@srivishnupriya]

Very informative! Background music can be avoided. It is harder to hear what the doctor is talking.

[@espanadorada7962]

“So I’m here getting ready for -“ 🎶DOO DOO DA DOO DAA 🎶

[@tabletgamer2]

I'm exhausted just watching this. Respect.

[@---ev6xm]

Really wish you would make a video showcasing female neurosurgery residents as well.

[@vickysekhon4866]

Literally so cool, I'm envious

[@karbrote24ve]

real-life hero 🙌 thank you for all you do saving lives

[@ashimpaul4301]

I really like this guy......He is just amazing.....love from 🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩bangladesh.....

[@arian_kd3041]

Everything was beautiful and believable except the last part where he leaves the hospital. Props to all neurosurgery residents

[@wandaburley7178]

You're so cool Doc! 👍

[@QuantumParadox]

I'm a kidney transplant patent at UR. received the kidney last year. I would love to see more "Day in the life" videos here at UR. This is a very good teaching hospital; outstanding staff and amazing doctors and nurses. Please keep the videos coming.

[@user-qq6rr3hw8o]

LOL after 15 hour day, well I am going to take a jog home then get ready for tomorrow. OMG, I would be passed out by that point, amazing energy.

[@Nataliannn]

God bless this guy😊

[@antiracistbaby1085]

Man thats inspiring Im a med student from Asia But I really doubt Ill ever be able to be in this mans shoes one day. God knows id give anything to train in Neurosurgery in the USS.

[@wholeNwon]

Work hard and make it happen.

[@angelarose1432]

Hi, what brand of backpack is that you have?

[@Heli4213]

Funny I live in Rochester. Also, really funny as he's walking through the hospital. I've been to that hospital a million times I know everywhere he's walking that's really cool

[@lindagregory3229]

i'm wondering why the backpack during rounds?

[@danieloconnell6306]

Nebraska medical center is a university hospital and all the doors are locked you need either a code or use your badge to get into the doors

[@user-xq1gd8xl8n]

Surgeons deserve every dollar they make and a lot more.

[@impresssed1213]

yea man its crazy how little residents make..it rlly is a struggle

[@Nick_Kol]

⁠@@impresssed1213 I am studying in Russia and I hope to enter urology residency in 2 years. So, in our country residents have not a salary, but the residents themselves pay for their training. And the work schedule is similar to the one in the video.

[@wholeNwon]

But they don't have time to enjoy it. Their greatest pleasure in life is found in the work.

[@user-bm1yt5dw4y]

Great Neurosurgeons ❤❤

[@alphacentauri8083]

Very informative regarding your day-in the -life. The soundtrack, however, is pretty loud. Replace it with Motorhead's "The Ace of Spades" while you're at it.

[@Reticulosis]

I swear the thing that killed me about living up north was coming in to work at night and leaving at night, the no sun thing, I just can’t

[@Padoinky]

It’s easier than you think - the key is to get out at midday for a bit

[@wholeNwon]

In Rochester they call it "graylight" and some use light boxes to ward off depression.

[@the_vr_md4019]

Respect.

[@DrAPe2021]

It looks harder looking at it than living it actually 😇👨🏻‍⚕️

[@menekse3194]

He looks like a superhero! 😱 how do you do all this?

[@lindaa5526]

Which year of residence are you in? PGY5-7?

[@reynoldhayes517]

As a resident, do have an out of residence neurosurgeon with you during surgery.

[@clownlesscounty]

It should come with carbon fiber disk filter vessel vein tissue filter bone graft basically a portable vessel connector to g5 graft for therapy

[@mariapalie841]

Just some helpful advice, the music on the video is too loud and a clip on mic would be helpful. The resident is excellent!

[@sheilagraves86]

GOD BLESS THEM

[@alicia5798]

What a roll model ربي يجازيك

[@xnether3621]

Turn the music up I could almost hear what he was saying

[@pmcate2]

I'll never understand how people get up so early

[@lindagregory3229]

Also who is filming?

[@RS-do2fc]

You can omit the music

[@johannessanmiguel]

I`ve been a patient and a caregiver and we`re always gossiping about the lives of doctors and nurses, we quickly get hints and innuendos and absolutely assume many things going on with them. It´s one of the perks of being sick in a hospital and I got to say, surgeons are regular people, they even get mad at other people. They also flirt a lot.

[@joesph9748]

With all of the crap on KZbin and social media, I appreciate this video, thank goodness for our doctors. Go blue

[@lucaangeliniluna1810]

Please discrease the volume of music p, is impossible to listem what you are saying.

[@Lex-rc1gr]

Can y’all ask him what the backpack is called? I like it lol. Ty

[@stottme1]

Why the music?

[@monikahack-primeau7548]

It's interesting to see this report. I appreciate and admire all medical staff for their knowledge and commitment for helping us, getting us better. Thank you! Re: the loud and so unnecessary music. WHY?

[@413smr]

I muted the music and turned on the captioining.

[@monikahack-primeau7548]

@@413smr thanks, that's a good idea. Will try it!

[@burepajkn4975]

maybe turn the music up so you could hear it

[@user-hj1rs2pk8o]

And I come home dead tired after working an 8 hour shift. Lol this guy has a lot of energy

[@wholeNwon]

They all do. The work is very stimulating.

[@darestone3335]

15 hour shift is no joke. I hope that's not the norm.

[@johnwkthomas]

It’s surgical residency, it definitely is. I’m a junior in undergrad now and got to shadow a surgical resident for a full day. I was so tired after just one day that I went home and went straight to bed at 7:30pm

[@Hi-qt2nj]

It is definitely the norm

[@Hi-qt2nj]

Wait until you find out about 24 hour shifts

[@imthrillz5255]

Its not the norm, 24hr shifts usually are. Residency got its name because physicians during this phase in their training resided in the hospital, lol.

[@darestone3335]

@@imthrillz5255 Ok. Lets stay grounded in reality. 24 hour shift are not the norm in any residency. Every now and then, sure. I read that residency averages out to 40-80 hours a week.

[@ShernittReid]

These are the real HEROES!!!!! OUR YOUNG KIDS SHOULD BE LOOKING UP TO SOMEONE LIKE THIS!!!!!! not superstars and rappers.

[@andrewlivshits7327]

Any social life for residents and neurosurgeons? Looks like it's just a full time work without any chances for creating a family.

[@_astrog137]

I don’t think so😂 and it’s pretty much the same for all other residencies, medic or vet……

[@wholeNwon]

This is what he WANTS to do...what he LIVES for!

[@sweetlover5370]

Does he not stay at the hospital for 24 hours while on duty?

[@a.downing2791]

Music too loud to hear some of the dialogue.

[@syedahmed1227]

FYI, you can still see the patient name at 3:38. It's blurred out on the left but still visible on the tabs...

[@marilynfonseca5658]

UR Medical, please turn down the music. I could barely hear the doctor.

[@davidc4408]

Looks cool and so many lifes impacted. Looks a long road. I am 1st year med school. What is salary?

[@phillipvereen8614]

Use google, not the ppl in youtube comments

[@AoibhlaCollins]

i love this but i cant be the only one that was bothered by the background music 😭

[@habib080]

whats on his back ? @4:50

[@danielplatek4361]

Good video but you need to turn the music down some

[@lindagregory3229]

I thought neurologists do not perform operations just curious

[@r.s2636]

How much does he earns in a yearly basis? Nb: huge respect for saving life out there. Doctors are real life Heros.

[@dannybarna4444]

Residents typically make between 50k to 95k depending on what year they're in. He's probably making like $90,000 a year

[@r.s2636]

@@dannybarna4444 I thought they would make at least a half million. Some KZbinrs get paid more than these doctors.

[@impresssed1213]

in a few years once he completes residency he'll make 500 - 700k a year and if he stays at the hospital and gets promotions wtv could make 1m or more a year@@r.s2636

[@vanessaarnold882]

​@@r.s2636hes prob only making 90k now because he is still in training, but he will make more like 900k as an attending. Neurosurgery is the highest paid specialty

[@Casualbystander]

@@r.s2636yeah but this is resident salary. They’re extremely underpaid, but once he’s an attending he’ll easily be pulling in $600K+

[@redrider8036]

Let me get this straight. He is probably getting at best 6 hours of sleep a night, and he is performing surgery on the most vital part of the human anatomy? Seems like a recipe for errors.

[@user-pd6ff2wi2h]

Music way too loud on this video - couldn't hear the dialogue.

[@JayMeds]

I have this weird obsession with hospitals. If I could live in one I would be completely fine. I enjoy being a patient and being hooked up to all the machines and IV. Am I the only one with this feeling? 🙈

[@HaythamAlsayed]

Sounds like you got a touch of the Munchausen's lol. Maybe go see a psych.

[@modernmedicine2562]

Wait till you get through chief registrar and the actual training.

[@angelc7984]

Would have been better if the music wasn’t so loud.

[@tamara_abran]

Seriously knowledge is power and one’s degree is one’s weapon where nobody can take it away while people will naturally and immediately respect u cuz most people worked so hard to get there and chase after their dreams!! U get to live a very good luxery life, brag and love ur career!! Thank u this totally inspires me!! Love it & if the surgeon is single, tell him to holla at me, I’m kidding.😉🤭💯 He’s seems more than an exteodabired very attractive young brutally smart classy athletic man!!❤️💯

[@jamieklennert6213]

Being a retired nurse this was very interesting😌! Music too loud:(

[@viviennepopek]

I'd love to have watched the whole video but I couldn't hear you talking because of the music so I gave up 😢 Thank you though 💖

[@shounakdr532]

I want this

[@jonwmeyer11]

Cool video. But was hard to hear him. Maybe it's just my computer

[@sanyaahmed4339]

How do you have this kind of energy serious question here

[@sanyaahmed4339]

You didnt answer my question ;)

[@wholeNwon]

@@sanyaahmed4339 (He's too busy with more important things.)

[@Lindalou5977]

God bless

[@neilkhamilton]

Go Blue!