Advice PharmD/PA

[Skittles_mix]

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I’m on track to take the pcat early next year. I’ve always seen myself as a pharmacist since I started working as a tech. However, these past years I’ve seen the professional decline significantly. I hear about pharmacist being laid off, pay decrease, and new graduates not being able to find a job due to saturation(Texas). I’ve been fortunate enough to save money to pay my full pharmacy tuition. My second choice would be PA school, which I hear is thriving due to a shortage of MDs. Any advice? Pharmacist, would you have chosen a different path due the the pharmacy’s current situation? Also, PAs I would like to hear your input about your field.

 

[BC_89]

Based on the title of the post, I thought you were asking about the dual pharmD/PA programs (which I’m strongly against).

As a pharm tech, have you just worked retail or also hospital settings? It’s true, saturation vs debt and cut hours exist in metro regions of the country. That is not to say there’s no jobs in pharmacy but it is competitive (majority of people just don’t wanna leave there home-state).

The appreciation I have for PAs is the mandated HCE (healthcare experience) and hours needed to apply for specific schools. Between the two (and working closely with both), I see more PAs satisfied in general than community pharmacists (excluding specialty-care pharmacists in the hospital).

Part of this is due to young pharmacists never stepping foot in a pharmacy before school vs PAs required to have shadowing and patient care exposure. To each their own, but Ive also seen older PAs make the switch to Med school once they claimed to have hit a ceiling-cap.

 

[Skittles_mix]

Based on the title of the post, I thought you were asking about the dual pharmD/PA programs (which I’m strongly against).

As a pharm tech, have you just worked retail or also hospital settings? It’s true, saturation vs debt and cut hours exist in metro regions of the country. That is not to say there’s no jobs in pharmacy but it is competitive (majority of people just don’t wanna leave there home-state).

The appreciation I have for PAs is the mandated HCE (healthcare experience) and hours needed to apply for specific schools. Between the two (and working closely with both), I see more PAs satisfied in general than community pharmacists (excluding specialty-care pharmacists in the hospital).

Part of this is due to young pharmacists never stepping foot in a pharmacy before school vs PAs required to have shadowing and patient care exposure. To each their own, but Ive also seen older PAs make the switch to Med school once they claimed to have hit a ceiling-cap.

I’ve only worked retail cvs and Walgreens. Currently I’m working in a pediatric pharmacy inside a pediatric clinic. We work along side MDs and PAs. Meaning I will generally go to their office and ask for medication changes or questions about dosage. I have a close relationship with some of these PAs. I see how they apply their knowledge within their scope and their work flow. Hence, I have a good idea of what the profession requires. I contacted a PA school near me and they will consider favorably this working experience . I have put most of my emphasis on my pre-reqs for pharmacy, but seeing how bad cvs and Walgreens treats their employees I’m strongly leaning more toward a PA school. I have to say the pharmacy where I work is one of the few ones that still treats its pharmacists like a human. He gets an hour lunch break (we close the pharmacy), gets to sit down in his station to verify, weekends off, 8:30am to 6pm schedule. It’s working conditions like these that still give me hope, but in reality I know this won’t likely happen to me.

 

[BC_89]

I’ve only worked retail cvs and Walgreens. Currently I’m working in a pediatric pharmacy inside a pediatric clinic. We work along side MDs and PAs. Meaning I will generally go to their office and ask for medication changes or questions about dosage. I have a close relationship with some of these PAs. I see how they apply their knowledge within their scope and their work flow. Hence, I have a good idea of what the profession requires. I contacted a PA school near me and they will consider favorably this working experience . I have put most of my emphasis on my pre-reqs for pharmacy, but seeing how bad cvs and Walgreens treats their employees I’m strongly leaning more toward a PA school. I have to say the pharmacy where I work is one of the few ones that still treats its pharmacists like a human. He gets an hour lunch break (we close the pharmacy), gets to sit down in his station to verify, weekends off, 8:30am to 6pm schedule. It’s working conditions like these that still give me hope, but in reality I know this won’t likely happen to me.

Your job is for 30+ years. Sounds like PA is what you should consider (that is, if you have no interest in going MD/DO). Keep shadowing and observing.. I think it’s good you have insight of what retail involves.

 

[Skittles_mix]

Your job is for 30+ years. Sounds like PA is what you should consider (that is, if you have no interest in going MD/DO). Keep shadowing and observing.. I think it’s good you have insight of what retail involves.

Thanks for the advice. I think I’m going to take the PCAT to keep the door open, but mostly likely take the road for PA. You wouldn’t have any insight on the GRE in contrast with PCAT?

 

[BC_89]

Both have analytical analysis, verbal reasoning (ie essay formats and word analogies) along with quantitative skills (math). GRE doesn’t dive in depth beyond algebra, geometry and data reading with critical reasoning.

PCAT has calculus involved within its quantitative section among the other math reasoning skills. Obviously, the Bio and Chemistry is on you with the PCAT. A lot with General Chem and Organic Chem with some Biochem involved. Molecular, Micro, and general bio will also be heavily involved.

Keep in mind, not all Pharmacy schools require the PCAT and a bachelors is not required. Good luck