Considering a career in General Surgery?
Its an important decision, and it’s natural to have questions about what training involves and whether it’s the right fit for you. General Surgery is a broad, challenging, and rewarding specialty that combines technical skill, decision making, teamwork, and lifelong learning. Surgeons work across a wide range of clinical settings and play a vital role in delivering high‑quality surgical care to communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
This page provides an overview of what to expect, how training works, and where to find further information as you explore a career in General Surgery.
What Does a Career in General Surgery Involve?
General Surgeons manage a diverse range of surgical conditions across elective and acute care. Clinical practice may include:
- Emergency and acute surgery
- Gastrointestinal and colorectal surgery
- Breast surgery
- Endocrine surgery
- Trauma care
- Endoscopy and procedural work
General Surgeons work in close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and often hold roles in teaching, leadership, research, and service development.
Is General Surgery Right for You?
People who thrive in General Surgery often enjoy:
- Problem‑solving in complex or time‑critical situations
- Hands‑on procedural and operative work
- Working as part of a team in dynamic environments
- Continuous learning and professional development
- Contributing to teaching and mentoring others
Training requires commitment, resilience, and adaptability, but many surgeons also value the breadth of practice and professional variety that General Surgery offers.
The Training Pathway in New Zealand
Specialist training in General Surgery in Aotearoa New Zealand is delivered through the General Surgical Education and Training (GSET) Programme, administered by NZAGS on behalf of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).
Key features of the pathway:
- Early selection into specialty training
- A five‑year, competency‑based programme
- Training in accredited hospitals across New Zealand
- Ongoing assessment through supervised clinical work
- Emphasis on both technical and non‑technical competencies
All trainees selected from the 2021 intake onwards enter the programme as GSET 1 trainees.
Getting Started: Early Steps
If you are a medical student or junior doctor considering surgery, useful early steps include:
- Gaining exposure to General Surgery rotations
- Seeking mentorship from surgical registrars or consultants
- Building a strong foundation in clinical and procedural skills
- Engaging in audit, research, or quality improvement activities
- Familiarising yourself with the GSET selection requirements
RACS also provides JDocs, an online resource designed to support junior doctors exploring a surgical career.
Selection Into General Surgery Training
Entry into the GSET Programme is competitive. Selection takes place annually and considers factors such as clinical experience, examinations, professional activities, and interviews.
To understand whether you are eligible, and how to prepare a strong application:
Next Steps
If you’re considering a career in General Surgery:
- Explore the Education & Training section of the website
- Speak with surgeons and trainees about their experiences
- Review the Curriculum and Regulations
Junior Docs
The Surgical Education and Training (SET) program promotes high quality, efficient surgical education and training from early selection into specialty training. Surgical trainees are selected directly into the specialty in which they will undertake specialist surgical education and training. Common standards and principles underpin training across all specialties.
Resources for doctors thinking of surgery as a career
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has launched a competency framework called JDocs for doctors considering a career in surgery which can be found at: https://jdocs.surgeons.org
Subscription to the resources is available for doctors registered in New Zealand or Australia. Use of the JDocs resources does not guarantee selection into any specialty training program.
