A Pharmacist's Future

[claire1954]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I've been considering being a pharmacist ever since I started my undergraduate education and was really excited to hear that the job market was growing in the US.

Recently, I stumbled upon this video from the UK talking about how robots where starting to be used.

Do you think this will affect the number of jobs available? I'm sort of concerned about this since it means a lot of time and money committed to a future career in which there might not be a job waiting for me.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11553280

I could really use someone's advice! Thanks!

 

[Dave4468]

I've been considering being a pharmacist ever since I started my undergraduate education and was really excited to hear that the job market was growing in the US.

Recently, I stumbled upon this video from the UK talking about how robots where starting to be used.

Do you think this will affect the number of jobs available? I'm sort of concerned about this since it means a lot of time and money committed to a future career in which there might not be a job waiting for me.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11553280

I could really use someone's advice! Thanks!

Don't know why government sites are still saying that the demand for pharmacists is increasing? Actually, a lot of people on here fear a surplus or say that there already is already a surplus in some populated areas.

 

[owlegrad]

Don't know why government sites are still saying that the demand for pharmacists is increasing? Actually, a lot of people on here fear a surplus or say that there already is already a surplus in some populated areas.

Because .gov sites use objective data, not anecdotal tales.

The .gov sites will not show a surplus until it is old news.

 

[Passion4Sci]

There are a lot of things robots simply can't do that humans are needed for.

Personally I welcome the automation. Why? It gives pharmacists more time to actually work with patients (whether in a retail location with more time to counsel, or in a clinic setting with more time to counsel) and less time doing what amounts to busy work.

The more routine and mundane tasks that are farmed out to robots, the happier I'll be as a pharmacist.

As far as the surplus goes, it depends on location. If it's somewhere that people want to live (think a bustling metropolis with nice weather and lots of things to do) then it'll likely have fewer openings than somewhere that doesn't have nice weather, doesn't have a lot of recreation, etc (think midwest). At any rate, once the old fogies who held onto their jobs for fear of their 401(k)s and CalPERS, etc retire, jobs will open up. That's one thing. For two, who cares? There's competition in any job. Hell, people with MDs can be found doing un-paid chart review while they wait for residencies. I welcome the challenge. It means that only the finest will be practicing pharmacy and the rest can fend for themselves. I'm OK with the meritocracy.

 

[Project2015]

It isn't just about merit though considering there are other factors like networking where the less than finest practice because it's who they know.

Anyhow, it looks like retail is done for as a driving force for demand.

 

[Passion4Sci]

It isn't just about merit though considering there are other factors like networking where the less than finest practice because it's who they know.

Anyhow, it looks like retail is done for as a driving force for demand.

Being able to network and socialize properly goes hand in hand with merit, if you ask me. But in pharmacy, a dullard who gets a nice position at a hospital because his dad is the DoP but then shortly thereafter makes a billion mistakes will get drummed out regardless, you know. To be successful requires a combination of attributes. Merit is not just one thing, it is the sum of many things.

 

[Project2015]

Being able to network and socialize properly goes hand in hand with merit, if you ask me.

I would've assumed so cause otherwise you'd be self-contradicting. 😛

I just associate merit with fairness and objectivity and the other attributes leading to success aren't necessarily that.

 

[phathead]

Anyhow, it looks like retail is done for as a driving force for demand.

retail doesn't drive demand 😉

 

[Passion4Sci]

retail doesn't drive demand 😉

Crackheads do.

 

[Project2015]

retail doesn't drive demand 😉

😕 Set me straight. I was just under the impression that the shortage was due to the expansion of chains and retail positions are a large chunk of the workforce.


Hmmm......

 

[phathead]

😕 Set me straight. I was just under the impression that the shortage was due to the expansion of chains and retail positions are a large chunk of the workforce.


Hmmm......

That is a response to perceived demand, but that is not demand. Simply because there is another pharmacy does not mean that new pharmacy demands new business or more pharmacists.