How To Become A Nephrologist?

In order to qualify as a nephrologist, one needs to:

• Graduate from high school with a high GPA, especially in life sciences and math;
• Complete a 4-year pre-med/Biology degree;
• Volunteer in a medicine-related facility;
• Pass the Medical college admission test (MCAT);
• Enter a licensed medical school;
• Complete the 4 years of required initial medical training at the medical school, including internship;
• Pass the three stages of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE);
• Take a 3-year residency in internal medicine;
• Get a certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM);
• Join a 2-3-year nephrology fellowship. The latter may include:
  • 1-2 clinical component;
  • 1-year research component;
  • Concentrated training in kidney structure, disease, and disorders.
• The fellowship must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME);
• Get board certification;
• One can choose between the following career tracks:
  • Clinical nephrology – 2 years;
  • Research nephrology – around 4 years;
  • Transplant nephrology – 2 years of general nephrology and 1 year of transplant nephrology;
  • Pediatric nephrology – 3 years;

In the United States, the average salary for a nephrologist is between $221,832 and $300,000 per annum.