Well, well Eleanor....
You'd probably consider me old (Zpack doesn't...but then that just proves how old he is - or that he's not a chauvinistic bastard - I hate using that word!) However.....I've been around the pharmacy block a bit. And..perhaps some techs & students think me an old bat. But..you did ask about me & why I wanted to become a pharmacist.
Now - enough silliness. I'll tell you honestly what I told my interviewer in 1973 and I think it still holds true in 2006. Too many people are too confused about their medications to understand what the medications are supposed to do, what the medications are capable of doing, what they can expect from medications and the things the medications cannot do. Now those people can be patients, prescribers and those who administer medications.
Having been in practice for nearly 30 years - I'd have to say - that is often the case. A prescriber is always familiar with the medications in his/her realm of practice - but sometimes needs some help with those that are outside. Patients still too often leave their prescriber's offices without a clear understanding of the medication they have been prescribed & what to expect. Most recently, we've heard of a terrible medication error - in part (& I would emphasize here - in part ONLY) caused by a lack of understanding of the different possible strengths that medication is available in & the devastating consequences when the strengths are not clearly read & understood.
I felt in 1973 & I still feel today I can make a significant & positive contribution to the practice of pharmacy. It has been a fulfulling and successful career, but not without its own stress & anxiety. Money is & always will be a side issue (I know you didn't want to hear that, but sometimes you get what you don't want).
I hope that has helped you formulate your own ideas. Perhaps you think them phoney - I can't help what your perception is, but that has been my own experience. However....I would like you to think about one thing. Is it at all possible that you may be limiting yourself in your own judgements of those you work with (those old bats who have such negative views of healthcare....etc...)? They may indeed hold such views of healthcare, but that doesn't mean you can't learn something from them. I only say that because one of my best preceptors ever was an older man (yeah - you'd say he was an old bat - he was grumpy) & perhaps chauvinistic (he wondered why such a cute thing like me didn't just marry that dental student I was dating & get on with living - in other words - start a family - which we did - but later...)...
Anyway...this older fellow...in spite of his negative comments was one of the very best pharmacists I ever learned from. He taught me some of the older compounding techniques which most of you probably never learn now & I've not used in years, but I have. He also taught me about how to deal with people. And pharmacy is a profession which has to deal with people who are often at their worst - he helped me learn the practical side of compassion, empathy, setting boundaries, learning my own limits.....
So Eleanor - more information than you wanted....but its a good lesson - be careful what you ask for!
I found your story to be very touching and agree with you.
I initially decided to go into Pharmacy a little over a year ago. I have a BA in an unrelated field but was getting frustrated because I was unable to get anywhere with it. I started taking all of my science pre-reqs last summer and now have essentially completed them all. I also got a pharmacy technician position and am now certified.
Yes, I initially (solely) thought that Pharmacy would be great for the money. Like many Pharmacists, I find drugs to be fascinating but don't like touching patients or cleaning bedpans. But since I have become a pharm technician, I can really appreciate the profession on a much larger scale.
Here's the parts that I find appealing now:
1. Pharmacists are placed in such a position that they QC every drug dispensed which includes checking for interactions. Unlike the prescriber that conducts test after test to arrive at a prescription, a pharmacist just has to see that the prescription is within reason.
2. You will have patients who are sick that need your advice. However, as a pharmacist, you can suggest that they talk to their doctor about a drug, but you are not in the position to do the actual prescibing. Yes, you can call the doctor and see if a drug can be substituted or initiated, but the final decision rests with the prescriber. Therefore, a patient can never complain to you for not assessing their needs adequately.
3. You are your own boss and essentially set the mode in which the pharmacy will operate for your shift. I am a laid back person, but if the pharmacy gets busy, everyone needs to step up. Although not entirely routine, you know what you will be doing everyday when you go to work.
4. I enjoy people and love it when people come back to my pharmacy. That creates a sense of accomplishment knowing that you've made a difference to someone.
5. You don't have to bring your work home!
Pharmacy has its cons, like having to listen to rude customers and dealing with insurance companies. But what job doesn't have any cons?
