OT: Worked OTC in a pharmacy, now I never want to be a pharmacist

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Job itself is not bad. I would not mind being a pharmacist for a couple of months but doing this for YEARS?

I work over the counter so my experience is limited but I see the pharmacists doing almost the exact same thing every single day and they can easily be confused with the technicians.

Of course, I expected this but it was not until I experienced it that I began to realize how unfulfilling this must be. Pharmacy is more of a job than a career. The 9-5 mentality is strong and it shows with most of the pharmacists I worked with; none of them actually want to be there.

I used to only think about how I would be helping people. Turns out that I do not like being around the old, sick, fragile and frail. These people require a special level of sensitivity that I simply lack.

Just by stocking the shelves, I became aware of some of the common problems that people suffer from, things that I never thought twice about (e.g, breathing problems, joint pain from arthritis that is so bad that they need special caps to open the bottle, adult diapers, etc..).

Being constantly reminded of death, disease and surgeries can take its toll after a while.

I suppose this is true of any health care professional except what difference does a pharmacist really make? They are a safety net and they tell you how to take your medication but that seems to be about all they can really do.

The emphasis usually seems to be on speed and technicalities (e.g, how long will it take? does my insurance cover it?). Much like working in a McDonald's, Pharmacists just do what they are told with very little choice and virtually no autonomy.

I can see why the profession is well suited for women; it is a job for people who would much rather follow than lead.

Originally Posted by Osiris

Job itself is not bad. I would not mind being a pharmacist for a couple of months but doing this for YEARS?

I work over the counter so my experience is limited but I see the pharmacists doing almost the exact same thing every single day and they can easily be confused with the technicians.

Of course, I expected this but it was not until I experienced it that I began to realize how unfulfilling this must be. Pharmacy is more of a job than a career. The 9-5 mentality is strong and it shows with most of the pharmacists I worked with; none of them actually want to be there.

I used to only think about how I would be helping people. Turns out that I do not like being around the old, sick, fragile and frail. These people require a special level of sensitivity that I simply lack.

Just by stocking the shelves, I became aware of some of the common problems that people suffer from, things that I never thought twice about (e.g, breathing problems, joint pain from arthritis that is so bad that they need special caps to open the bottle, adult diapers, etc..).

Being constantly reminded of death, disease and surgeries can take its toll after a while.

I suppose this is true of any health care professional except what difference does a pharmacist really make? They are a safety net and they tell you how to take your medication but that seems to be about all they can really do.

The emphasis usually seems to be on speed and technicalities (e.g, how long will it take? does my insurance cover it?). Much like working in a McDonald's, Pharmacists just do what they are told with very little choice and virtually no autonomy.

I can see why the profession is well suited for women; it is a job for people who would much rather follow than lead.

It's great you gained some experience in a pharmacy. Although you only experienced one aspect of this profession (retail, I assume), I commend you on your analysis and judgment. I wish more pre-pharmacy students were like you as it may give them a second thought. For the most part, it is true of what you speak of. Autonomy and patient care is a thing of the past. A lot of students go into it thinking it's all nice and butterflies but it's not exactly that.

I'm sure most people go into the profession with a genuine desire to help people. However, the conditions and career prospects have been dominated and negatively changed by corporations and businesses in the past few decades, resulting in an environment where pharmacists are unable to truly care for the patient.

Volume, metrics, speed, and politics have become the norm. Not say it's any different for other healthcare specialties, but pharmacy is degrading faster than anything. If only we can go back to our roots in the "good old days," then I would be 100% positive that way more people would enjoy what they're doing. You would see something different than what you saw and experienced. What you see is a perfect example of what the industry has turned into. Everyone is venting because it's simply not a feasible model. If we would had it OUR WAY, we definitely would, and it would be damn better than what we have now.

Originally Posted by Osiris

I can see why the profession is well suited for women; it is a job for people who would much rather follow than lead.

Originally Posted by pharmaguide

It's great you gained some experience in a pharmacy. Although you only experienced one aspect of this profession (retail, I assume), I commend you on your analysis and judgment. I wish more pre-pharmacy students were like you as it may give them a second thought. For the most part, it is true of what you speak of. Autonomy and patient care is a thing of the past. A lot of students go into it thinking it's all nice and butterflies but it's not exactly that.

I'm sure most people go into the profession with a genuine desire to help people. However, the conditions and career prospects have been dominated and negatively changed by corporations and businesses in the past few decades, resulting in an environment where pharmacists are unable to truly care for the patient.

Volume, metrics, speed, and politics have become the norm. Not say it's any different for other healthcare specialties, but pharmacy is degrading faster than anything. If only we can go back to our roots in the "good old days," then I would be 100% positive that way more people would enjoy what they're doing. You would see something different than what you saw and experienced. What you see is a perfect example of what the industry has turned into. Everyone is venting because it's simply not a feasible model. If we would had it OUR WAY, we definitely would, and it would be damn better than what we have now.

Worked in a Wal-Mart pharmacy and a couple of times a Pharmacist was having a conversation with a customer in which she pretty much told them that a product we carried was useless. So I began to wonder, why do we carry such a large stock of it on the shelves? Of course, the answer was obvious; because it sold well.

The Pharmacist at Wal-Mart cannot leave late or come early because then they might go into overtime. How is that for autonomy?

I think that the role a Pharmacist plays is greatly exaggerated by academia because a tech can do much of the same work for less. Come to think of it, are Pharmacists not really just glorified techs?

I wish I had realized all this earlier.

Originally Posted by PharmDstudent

In general...
Women are better at displaying empathy and following routines.

I wonder if it would be possible to pack any more stereotypes into this thread?

Did you really just compare the Pharmacy profession to McDonalds?

Originally Posted by All4MyDaughter

I wonder if it would be possible to pack any more stereotypes into this thread?

We could merge this with the thread about leaving rose petals on an ironing board?

Originally Posted by Osiris

Job itself is not bad. I would not mind being a pharmacist for a couple of months but doing this for YEARS?

I can see why the profession is well suited for women; it is a job for people who would much rather follow than lead.

No one wants to work if they don't have to at ANY job. Everyone prefers NOT to work at all. Working for YEARS at any job sucks no matter what the job is. That's the truth here. ALL jobs suck and working for YEARS at any job sucks even more.

But sorry, unless you are Oprah or Bill Gates you gotta work!

If you are a guy then go to medical school instead. Pharmacy is 80% women...it's a job that allows us to have children and work part time etc. Men should be going into medical school. It helps attract more women that's for sure! You want a hot wife? Go to med school! Good luck!

Originally Posted by Osiris

Job itself is not bad. I would not mind being a pharmacist for a couple of months but doing this for YEARS?

I work over the counter so my experience is limited but I see the pharmacists doing almost the exact same thing every single day and they can easily be confused with the technicians.

Of course, I expected this but it was not until I experienced it that I began to realize how unfulfilling this must be. Pharmacy is more of a job than a career. The 9-5 mentality is strong and it shows with most of the pharmacists I worked with; none of them actually want to be there.

I used to only think about how I would be helping people. Turns out that I do not like being around the old, sick, fragile and frail. These people require a special level of sensitivity that I simply lack.

Just by stocking the shelves, I became aware of some of the common problems that people suffer from, things that I never thought twice about (e.g, breathing problems, joint pain from arthritis that is so bad that they need special caps to open the bottle, adult diapers, etc..).

Being constantly reminded of death, disease and surgeries can take its toll after a while.

I suppose this is true of any health care professional except what difference does a pharmacist really make? They are a safety net and they tell you how to take your medication but that seems to be about all they can really do.

The emphasis usually seems to be on speed and technicalities (e.g, how long will it take? does my insurance cover it?). Much like working in a McDonald's, Pharmacists just do what they are told with very little choice and virtually no autonomy.

I can see why the profession is well suited for women; it is a job for people who would much rather follow than lead.

If you really think this, you better pray you never meet me.

I'm leading the way with my 3 baby daddy and my 5 medicaid babies that sit in the back of my Escalade next to the crack cocaine.

Originally Posted by Osiris

I can see why the profession is well suited for women; it is a job for people who would much rather follow than lead.

Dude... You have never been married have you... In fact, I doubt that you have ever even been in a serious relationship.

Once you actually experience a man/woman relationship, you find out really quick who actually leads this world.

By the way - I think your posts are immature, unrealistic, and overall rubbish.

Originally Posted by Osiris

The Pharmacist at Wal-Mart cannot leave late or come early because then they might go into overtime. How is that for autonomy?

I will correct you because a Walmart pharmacist is salaried and can come in early and stay late. I interned at Walmart and they would come early and stay late if they needed to.

You are spot on with the rest of your thoughts though.

Originally Posted by cycloketocaine

If you really think this, you better pray you never meet me.

I'm leading the way with my 3 baby daddy and my 5 medicaid babies that sit in the back of my Escalade next to the crack cocaine.

This!!!!!

BTW, you can stop by to pick up your Percocet. It will go through insurance today. And the Bud Light is on aisle #5.

Originally Posted by owlegrad

We could merge this with the thread about leaving rose petals on an ironing board?

I will support this.

[/QUOTE]
I can see why the profession is well suited for women; it is a job for people who would much rather follow than lead.[/QUOTE]


Sexist much? Ever dated a girl??

Pharmacists don't just work at Walgreens, they can work in the hospital setting too, working with cancer patients and such. Or you could go into nuclear pharmacy. Or specialize in the hospital setting working with babies, or patients with diabetes. You would have more autonomy in those situations, but I do agree, I feel that pharmacists do not get enough say.

Get out there and shadow other pharmacy settings or other healthcare professions.

And grow up. There isn't room for a sexist attitude in the healthcare setting.

Originally Posted by SHC1984

Pharmacy is 80% women

Sounds great.

Originally Posted by crazybob

Sounds great.

I concur.

Damnit, I thought we had a new OT thread title

Originally Posted by rxlea

This!!!!!

BTW, you can stop by to pick up your Percocet. It will go through insurance today. And the Bud Light is on aisle #5.

Bud Light? Excuse me? I'm on Medicaid. That beer is way too cheap for me. I'll take the $40 6 pack craft beer please.

Originally Posted by Rockinacoustic

Damnit, I thought we had a new OT thread title

We do. But this isn't really an off-topic thread. It's been relatively on-topic.

So, we could get rid of the "OT:" in front of the title. Does anyone else agree?

Originally Posted by crazybob

We do. But this isn't really an off-topic thread. It's been relatively on-topic.

So, we could get rid of the "OT:" in front of the title. Does anyone else agree?

Maybe the OP meant On Topic?

Originally Posted by owlegrad

Maybe the OP meant On Topic?

Then we need something to make our huge off-topic thread stand out even more.

Originally Posted by crazybob

We do. But this isn't really an off-topic thread. It's been relatively on-topic.

So, we could get rid of the "OT:" in front of the title. Does anyone else agree?

*Whoosh*

Originally Posted by Osiris

I can see why the profession is well suited for women; it is a job for people who would much rather follow than lead.

Please include this in your personal statement. Adcoms will be dying to admit you

Originally Posted by BenJammin

Bud Light? Excuse me? I'm on Medicaid. That beer is way too cheap for me. I'll take the $40 6 pack craft beer please.

Originally Posted by SHC1984

No one wants to work if they don't have to at ANY job. Everyone prefers NOT to work at all. Working for YEARS at any job sucks no matter what the job is. That's the truth here. ALL jobs suck and working for YEARS at any job sucks even more.

But sorry, unless you are Oprah or Bill Gates you gotta work!

If you are a guy then go to medical school instead. Pharmacy is 80% women...it's a job that allows us to have children and work part time etc. Men should be going into medical school. It helps attract more women that's for sure! You want a hot wife? Go to med school! Good luck!

Women make terrible leaders but that is besides the point.

Not even sure which parts of this were sarcasm but you have it backwards.

A career provides an individual with the opportunity to grow which means things should get better over time as there should be a sense of progression.

Bottom line, Pharmacy is a job disguised as a career.

Originally Posted by Osiris

Women make terrible leaders but that is besides the point.

troll

Originally Posted by Osiris

Women make terrible leaders but that is besides the point.

Not even sure which parts of this were sarcasm but you have it backwards.

A career provides an individual with the opportunity to grow which means things should get better over time as there should be a sense of progression.

Bottom line, Pharmacy is a job disguised as a career.

No, you sound like someone that is pretty lazy and don't want to work hard at anything.

ALL JOBS ARE HARDWORK.

There are no jobs where you can relax and chill and get pay six figures. It sounds like that is what you are looking for.

You are looking for easy money with a easy job and was mad that you couldn't find one.

That's what it sounds like to me. You just want easy money, but can't find it.

Well, there is no such thing as easy money....it just sounds to me you don't want to work you just want someone to give you money and when that doesn't happen you are here to complain. That's what you sound like.

You aren't going to love any of your jobs. You are NOT going to find any easy jobs that pay you six figures. Not pharmacy, not medicine, not dentistry, not law or anything. Please WAKE UP.

Originally Posted by Osiris

Women make terrible leaders but that is besides the point.

lol how sad you actually believe that....

Pathetic, really.

Originally Posted by SHC1984

No, you sound like someone that is pretty lazy and don't want to work hard at anything.

ALL JOBS ARE HARDWORK.

There are no jobs where you can relax and chill and get pay six figures. It sounds like that is what you are looking for.

You are looking for easy money with a easy job and was mad that you couldn't find one.

That's what it sounds like to me. You just want easy money, but can't find it.

Well, there is no such thing as easy money....it just sounds to me you don't want to work you just want someone to give you money and when that doesn't happen you are here to complain. That's what you sound like.

You aren't going to love any of your jobs. You are NOT going to find any easy jobs that pay you six figures. Not pharmacy, not medicine, not dentistry, not law or anything. Please WAKE UP.

You would make a wonderful employee.

Originally Posted by Osiris

You would make a wonderful employee.

You're a sexist pig.

OK the name calling in this thread needs to stop. It is a violation of the TOS to engage in name-calling and other mean stuff.

If someone is bothering you, just add them to your ignore list.

Originally Posted by SHC1984

ALL JOBS ARE HARDWORK.

There are no jobs where you can relax and chill and get pay six figures. It sounds like that is what you are looking for.
.

I have to disagree with this one. A couple years ago, I was involved in a multi level marketing gig on the internet. We sold "online gold" for games like World of Warcraft to addicted children who sucked up make believe money in order to be the most uber online wizard possible.

All I did was wait for an instant message, turn on my computer, check paypal for money received, log onto a video game and deliver the online gold. Then I went and cashed my check.

I made thousands of dollars a month doing this, and I put in about 20 minutes a week of effort into the deal. It was amazing. It was the easiest money I have ever made.

har har!

Originally Posted by Pojman

I have to disagree with this one. A couple years ago, I was involved in a multi level marketing gig on the internet. We sold "online gold" for games like World of Warcraft to addicted children who sucked up make believe money in order to be the most uber online wizard possible.

All I did was wait for an instant message, turn on my computer, check paypal for money received, log onto a video game and deliver the online gold. Then I went and cashed my check.

I made thousands of dollars a month doing this, and I put in about 20 minutes a week of effort into the deal. It was amazing. It was the easiest money I have ever made.

har har!

Why don't you do that for a living then?

Originally Posted by SHC1984

Why don't you do that for a living then?

Its dirty business.. It makes you feel like a drug dealer.

Originally Posted by Pojman

Its dirty business.. It makes you feel like a drug dealer.

My friend in pharmacy school is married to a guy that owns 3 title loan shops and he also use to own a gambling place...kinda like a casino but it was run illegally! lol...He made an INSANE amount of money there and his title loan shops did very well too....

But he now wants to go to medical school...I look at him like he is CRAZY. He makes more than some doctors with that casino (it's gone now) and title loan shops....why on earth will you go to med school?

If I already made 6 or 7 figures I won't be going into the healthcare field for sure.

Originally Posted by SHC1984

My friend in pharmacy school is married to a guy that owns 3 title loan shops and he also use to own a gambling place...kinda like a casino but it was run illegally! lol...He made an INSANE amount of money there and his title loan shops did very well too....

But he now wants to go to medical school...I look at him like he is CRAZY. He makes more than some doctors with that casino (it's gone now) and title loan shops....why on earth will you go to med school?

If I already made 6 or 7 figures I won't be going into the healthcare field for sure.

Mafia.

Originally Posted by Pojman

Its dirty business.. It makes you feel like a drug dealer.

Not to poke fun, but it makes me laugh you're going from just feeling like a drug dealer to hopefully actually giving people drugs.

I knew a friend who was a caretaker for a wealthy young person's vacation house. I couldn't figure out how they could have so much money at such a young age, but was told they started an online p*rn site (didn't want the robots to block my message) at a young age. Talk about a dirty-feeling way to make money! Try explaining that one to your family at Thanksgiving dinner...

I've been amazed what kind of money people are willing to dish out to play games like Farmville; I wouldn't be surprised that there's so much money in faux gaming gold.

Originally Posted by Rx MPLS

Farmville;

Originally Posted by Osiris

Job itself is not bad. I would not mind being a pharmacist for a couple of months but doing this for YEARS?

I work over the counter so my experience is limited but I see the pharmacists doing almost the exact same thing every single day and they can easily be confused with the technicians.

Of course, I expected this but it was not until I experienced it that I began to realize how unfulfilling this must be. Pharmacy is more of a job than a career. The 9-5 mentality is strong and it shows with most of the pharmacists I worked with; none of them actually want to be there.

I used to only think about how I would be helping people. Turns out that I do not like being around the old, sick, fragile and frail. These people require a special level of sensitivity that I simply lack.

Just by stocking the shelves, I became aware of some of the common problems that people suffer from, things that I never thought twice about (e.g, breathing problems, joint pain from arthritis that is so bad that they need special caps to open the bottle, adult diapers, etc..).

Being constantly reminded of death, disease and surgeries can take its toll after a while.

I suppose this is true of any health care professional except what difference does a pharmacist really make? They are a safety net and they tell you how to take your medication but that seems to be about all they can really do.

The emphasis usually seems to be on speed and technicalities (e.g, how long will it take? does my insurance cover it?). Much like working in a McDonald's, Pharmacists just do what they are told with very little choice and virtually no autonomy.

I can see why the profession is well suited for women; it is a job for people who would much rather follow than lead.

Originally Posted by The Recoverer

Please include this in your personal statement. Adcoms will be dying to admit you

Firstly, your whole post is pure and utter complete bullshi* but I will focus on three points of yours, OK?

PLEASE ok PLEASE tell me what job it is that you have in mind that people would absolutely love being there 24/7? I'll be the first one there!

Being consistently reminded of death is a given fact in the healthcare profession, regardless of what field you are interested in. You are either immature (which is what I am leaning towards) and have not yet understood death itself OR just need to go and become a McDonald burger flipper since that's what you always have in the back of your mind. OK?

Even physicians and emergency physicians have to work hard and fast (ya, I know) and continue to hone their skills (as do pharmacists).

Aside from that sir, you have some serious growing up to do!

Thank you and have yourself a good night

BTW, Recoverer, I must say that you have made me laugh very hard by reading your statement and I needed that after the OP's post...

Originally Posted by dahwsi

Originally Posted by rxlea

Mafia.

What, the adult version of the heads-up 7-up game?

Aw, geeze, I bumped it by mistake. What a rookie.

Originally Posted by Osiris

Job itself is not bad. I would not mind being a pharmacist for a couple of months but doing this for YEARS?

I work over the counter so my experience is limited but I see the pharmacists doing almost the exact same thing every single day and they can easily be confused with the technicians.

Of course, I expected this but it was not until I experienced it that I began to realize how unfulfilling this must be. Pharmacy is more of a job than a career. The 9-5 mentality is strong and it shows with most of the pharmacists I worked with; none of them actually want to be there.

I used to only think about how I would be helping people. Turns out that I do not like being around the old, sick, fragile and frail. These people require a special level of sensitivity that I simply lack.

Just by stocking the shelves, I became aware of some of the common problems that people suffer from, things that I never thought twice about (e.g, breathing problems, joint pain from arthritis that is so bad that they need special caps to open the bottle, adult diapers, etc..).

Being constantly reminded of death, disease and surgeries can take its toll after a while.

I suppose this is true of any health care professional except what difference does a pharmacist really make? They are a safety net and they tell you how to take your medication but that seems to be about all they can really do.

The emphasis usually seems to be on speed and technicalities (e.g, how long will it take? does my insurance cover it?). Much like working in a McDonald's, Pharmacists just do what they are told with very little choice and virtually no autonomy.

I can see why the profession is well suited for women; it is a job for people who would much rather follow than lead.

Yes, but I believe with the knowledge that pharmacists possesses, they will have new responsibilities. Probably ten years later, people will start to complain about too much responsibilities for too little pay

Originally Posted by CareDD

Yes, but I believe with the knowledge that pharmacists possesses, they will have new responsibilities. Probably ten years later, people will start to complain about too much responsibilities for too little pay

Maybe. I know back in the 90's, push for MTMs were the next big thing. We aren't there quite yet with insurance deficits, but maybe one day...

This is very discouraging.

Originally Posted by johnstock9191

This is very discouraging.

Anyone can say bad things about any profession... don't let them get you down.

This thread was so close to dying.

Originally Posted by SHC1984

No, you sound like someone that is pretty lazy and don't want to work hard at anything.

ALL JOBS ARE HARDWORK.

There are no jobs where you can relax and chill and get pay six figures. It sounds like that is what you are looking for.

You are looking for easy money with a easy job and was mad that you couldn't find one.

That's what it sounds like to me. You just want easy money, but can't find it.

Well, there is no such thing as easy money....it just sounds to me you don't want to work you just want someone to give you money and when that doesn't happen you are here to complain. That's what you sound like.

You aren't going to love any of your jobs. You are NOT going to find any easy jobs that pay you six figures. Not pharmacy, not medicine, not dentistry, not law or anything. Please WAKE UP.

i was making 6 figs playing online poker and dropping prepharm classes midsemester for a few years. it was, at times, both fun AND easy.

Originally Posted by Pojman

Its dirty business.. It makes you feel like a drug dealer.

One of the games I used to play spent so much time getting rid of that gold farming business. It was quite ridiculous. Someone once offered me a psp and a bunch of games for some ingame cash. I said no though. Kind of sad about it now that I look back on it but I don't have any regrets.

Anyways, how can a field not have any leaders? There are followers and there are a few leaders. Not everyone is a leader. Maybe OP should change the profession if he doesn't like it.