Advise for Future P1(HELP)

[Eleisha Lee]

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Any warnings us entering P1's should know before we start Pharmacy next Fall? I remember going into college and regretting not being apart of certain things or being as involved because I simply had no idea. So to avoid this I am asking those of you that are in past your first year to give a heads up. Please and Thanks! 🙂 You're appreciated !

 

[FarmD711]

Go to school for something else

 

[Eleisha Lee]

-_- serious advice please**

( Every career has its' down sides)

 

[cherry87]

I have the same question too. I will start my P1 in the Fall and I have no clue what I should prepare. Any advice would be appreciate.

 

[FarmD711]

I was being serious, if a bit flippant. That is advice I received before my P1 year that I currently wish I had listened to

 

[SClENCE]

I was being serious, if a bit flippant. That is advice I received before my P1 year that I currently wish I had listened to

Did you work at a retail chain before you started school?

 

[FarmD711]

I did.

 

[SClENCE]

I did.

Is there anything that you became aware of/learned/weren't expecting after becoming a pharmacist that you didn't discover working as a tech/intern?

 

[FarmD711]

I underestimated the amount of stress and responsibility placed solely on the shoulders of the PIC. I knew and expected the hostile customers and crappy conditions.

 

[SClENCE]

I underestimated the amount of stress and responsibility placed solely on the shoulders of the PIC. I knew and expected the hostile customers and crappy conditions.

I know that I can balance workflow and please my customer and employer. I am efficient. But where do you draw the line of reckless? It's a difficult balance between being safe and protecting yourself vs meeting every metric and finishing every task front of you. I can do each of these things, but both at once is a difficult balance. I'v seen pharmacists on both extremes, and ironically it always seems to be the careful ones that have issues with the board.

 

[BidingMyTime]

I'v seen pharmacists on both extremes, and ironically it always seems to be the careful ones that have issues with the board.

Maybe that's because they know they have problems checking, so they are being super careful to try to fix their problem.

 

[SClENCE]

Maybe that's because they know they have problems checking, so they are being super careful to try to fix their problem.

Very possible. I think there's also a degree of luck to it. Everyone makes mistakes. Who's mistake will get caught? Which customer/doctor will file a complaint? How severe will the mistake be?

 

[BidingMyTime]

Very possible. I think there's also a degree of luck to it. Everyone makes mistakes. Who's mistake will get caught? Which customer/doctor will file a complaint? How severe will the mistake be?

True, but you said it was always the "careful" ones you saw, who were getting brought up before the board. If it was just "luck" it would be more random, so I suspect the careful ones you saw had problems in the past which made them more careful.

 

[68quebec]

-_- serious advice please**

( Every career has its' down sides)

Take some vacation before school starts. I'm serious.

 

[Lucky One]

I'd say as a P1, the biggest thing is micromanagement. Assuming you follow in my footsteps with getting more involved, you will have to sacrifice something in order to accommodate the extra workload. It is often not the material itself but the volume and pace of it.

Sounds simple but as the stubborn person I am I often was afflicted with the whole "I have time for this later" and than (for me it was playing video games and now it's Netflix ) end up only doing 30 minutes of studying and putting it off the next day. Puts you behind and leaves you to play catchup. You have to work on your discipline and solid schedule to delegate everything in order to achieve what you want in your short time in graduate school.

 

[inverness2012]

I'd say as a P1, the biggest thing is micromanagement. Assuming you follow in my footsteps with getting more involved, you will have to sacrifice something in order to accommodate the extra workload. It is often not the material itself but the volume and pace of it.

Sounds simple but as the stubborn person I am I often was afflicted with the whole "I have time for this later" and than (for me it was playing video games and now it's Netflix ) end up only doing 30 minutes of studying and putting it off the next day. Puts you behind and leaves you to play catchup. You have to work on your discipline and solid schedule to delegate everything in order to achieve what you want in your short time in graduate school.

I totally agree. You can't study for a test the night before. You have to be caught up all along. I would try to get an intern position in a hospital or community setting. Work experience will give you perspective and reinforcement on what you learn. It will also make you more competitive for jobs when you graduate. Please feel free to pm with any specific questions.

 

[Dred Pirate]

1. Get a job
2. Join and take a leadership role in a few organizations
3. Find a way to do a research project
4. Get a job in a hospital

Do these four things and you will get a pharmacy residency provided you have a decent GPA.

 

[Lucky One]

@Dred Pirate How important do you think it is to have a hospital job if your going the residency tract? Is it more than say high GPA/extracurriculars. Just wondering because I'm in the process in almost completing training and looking forward to interning at a chain for the next few years and I don't want to close myself out of an opportunity in clinical.

Would it be unwise to work outpatient and retail at same time? My school just had 5 positions opened up 🙂. I'm a P1 by the way.

 

[DruggieDoRight]

Don't buy the lies the school sells.

Only do the residency track if you want to be an academic. It's mostly a great way for hospitals to staff pharmacists for cheap.

Other than that, do exactly what Dred Pirate says to do IMO.

 

[Dred Pirate]

@Dred Pirate How important do you think it is to have a hospital job if your going the residency tract? Is it more than say high GPA/extracurriculars. Just wondering because I'm in the process in almost completing training and looking forward to interning at a chain for the next few years and I don't want to close myself out of an opportunity in clinical.

Would it be unwise to work outpatient and retail at same time? My school just had 5 positions opened up 🙂. I'm a P1 by the way.

in my mind - very important - there are things you just will NOT learn in school. I saw you have to show balance. You need a decent GPA (3.5, work 15+ hours a week and be in some activities).

To put it in perspective, I worked 35 hours a week, had a 3.9 GPA, and in pharmacy school - very few activities (in undergrad I did a lot). I may not have gotten an interview for a residency. I worked both outpatient and hospital at the same time (outpatient in a hospital).

 

[Dred Pirate]

Don't buy the lies the school sells.

Only do the residency track if you want to be an academic. It's mostly a great way for hospitals to staff pharmacists for cheap.

Other than that, do exactly what Dred Pirate says to do IMO.

I agree with you as far as its necessity (I did not do a residency, but if I wanted my job that I currently have, I would have to have one or 5-10 years of experience. For hospital jobs in most desirable areas, if you are a new grad, you need one.

 

[HelpfulPharmer1]

Any warnings us entering P1's should know before we start Pharmacy next Fall? I remember going into college and regretting not being apart of certain things or being as involved because I simply had no idea. So to avoid this I am asking those of you that are in past your first year to give a heads up. Please and Thanks! 🙂 You're appreciated !

You asked nicely so I share secrets that may help you:
As a pharmacist, you will make 60 dollars in 60 minutes, that's 1 dollar per 1 minute.
If you work 1 OVERTIME DAY, you make 90 dollars per hour for 8 hours, that means 720 dollars (before tax). After tax, you net 720*0.7 = 500 dollars.

If you work for money during school, you may make around 15 dollars per hour for 8 hours, after tax, you net 84 dollars.

What's the difference? Same 8 hours, as pharmacist, you gain over 400 dollars.

Therefore, if you work during school, remember this difference of dollars. Work during school only for knowledge and connection, not for money. You will have plenty of time as pharmacist to make money to pay down student loans. You will have 30... long... years... to make money to pay loan.

But during school year and in between exam deadlines, you only have LIMITED hours to study before the next exam. Remember, pharmacy school will flood you with new knowledge in a short time and force you to sit down and take the exam, ready or not. So, think twice before working during school. Remember the key of working during school: work for connection, networking, future jobs, and knowledge.

Everything must be sacrificed to pass those exams. Think and See the sacrifices and hardships of battle soldier or religious missionary. That's the attitude you must adopt and have in pharmacy school.

 

[owlegrad]

$90/hr for overtime?! Sign me up!

 

[PharmD17']

Any warnings us entering P1's should know before we start Pharmacy next Fall? I remember going into college and regretting not being apart of certain things or being as involved because I simply had no idea. So to avoid this I am asking those of you that are in past your first year to give a heads up. Please and Thanks! 🙂 You're appreciated !

Personally I'd take the first semester as an adjustment period; don't add anything to your plate just see how you fair with the coursework. Pharmacy school is by no means easy and is quite an adjustment from undergrad(I was a Chemistry major and completed pharmacy pre-reqs on top of working 20+ hrs/week and still had to adjust!)

If things go well add in a part time job for experience and get involved your second semester (community service and organizations). Find the balance that works for you. Then the next year take on executive roles in at least one organization. If you aren't planning on doing a residency you don't have to take on all of this you could just focus on school, but I still recommend finding a part time retail job so you get experience and a chance at real life application. As said above me work a job for connections, experience etc. if you are going the residency route a hospital job would be best.

But again find what works for you. Ideally grades, job, and lots of activity are what make a good candidate for residency; but don't do all these things and have c's and d's. Far too many times have I see students take on all of those things and end up falling a yr to two years behind. So be cautious and know what your limits and strengths are.

 

[Eleisha Lee]

Thanks everyone for your input!! You guys are really helping me out.... What about this summer before the academic year starts ? What would you all recommend ? And as far as time management.. How did you adjust to your busy schedules?

 

[Dred Pirate]

You asked nicely so I share secrets that may help you:
As a pharmacist, you will make 60 dollars in 60 minutes, that's 1 dollar per 1 minute.
If you work 1 OVERTIME DAY, you make 90 dollars per hour for 8 hours, that means 720 dollars (before tax). After tax, you net 720*0.7 = 500 dollars.

If you work for money during school, you may make around 15 dollars per hour for 8 hours, after tax, you net 84 dollars.

What's the difference? Same 8 hours, as pharmacist, you gain over 400 dollars.

Therefore, if you work during school, remember this difference of dollars. Work during school only for knowledge and connection, not for money. You will have plenty of time as pharmacist to make money to pay down student loans. You will have 30... long... years... to make money to pay loan.

But during school year and in between exam deadlines, you only have LIMITED hours to study before the next exam. Remember, pharmacy school will flood you with new knowledge in a short time and force you to sit down and take the exam, ready or not. So, think twice before working during school. Remember the key of working during school: work for connection, networking, future jobs, and knowledge.

Everything must be sacrificed to pass those exams. Think and See the sacrifices and hardships of battle soldier or religious missionary. That's the attitude you must adopt and have in pharmacy school.

I respectfully disagree, but then again, I worked full time. When I look at candidates that I help hire (staff rph's and residents), I give extra credit towards someone who has had a job, and even more credit if they worked in a hospital.

You have plenty of time to study. I was up every day at 5:30 - at work by 6:00, worked/went to school from then until 6:30 - went home, studied, socialized, etc. I had ZERO problem making it through school and often commented how easy pharmacy school was compared to my undergrad.

Unless you want to be unemployed after school, you need a job for the networking that it provides

 

[Dred Pirate]

$90/hr for overtime?! Sign me up!

I got $150 once - but only once

 

[PharmD17']

You have plenty of time to study. I was up every day at 5:30 - at work by 6:00, worked/went to school from then until 6:30 - went home, studied, socialized, etc. I had ZERO problem making it through school and often commented how easy pharmacy school was compared to undergrad

Would you mind sharing when and where you went to school? Because boy would I love to attend that school. I have heard of a few programs where people say it was a breeze and enjoyed their time spent there, but the school I attend is cringe worthy(I have received many grimaces and "I'm sorry" when told where I go) btw I attend St Louis College of Pharmacy.

 

[Dred Pirate]

Would you mind sharing when and where you went to school? Because boy would I love to attend that school. I have heard of a few programs where people say it was a breeze and enjoyed their time spent there, but the school I attend is cringe worthy(I have received many grimaces and "I'm sorry" when told where I go) btw I attend St Louis College of Pharmacy.

1. I went to a Drake University, not the top by any means, but I think it was rated around 50ish or so when I saw the latest rankings (If you put any credence into them).
2. I did my undergrad at a highly competitive private school - so my perspective might be a little off.
3. I did graduate in the top 5% of my class and worked nearly full time.
4. I am not trying to brag, but school has always came easy to me, so I might not be the "norm" when you are trying to compare the average student. I don't say this to sound arrogant - just to put my previous statement in perspective.
5. I have been very successful in my career and often am the "go to person" with a lot of practical/clinical aspects of healthcare or for that random fact - so I am pretty sure my school didn't hold me back.
6. I know a handfull of people from STCOP - they were perfectly capable RPh's (even if they referred to their school as St Louis College of Retail Pharmacy). and gasp - they only had a BS - not a pharmD - oh the horror (rolling eyes)
7. I precept for one of the top rated pharmacy schools in the country - and I can guarantee you that being from a "good" school does not automatically translate into being a good pharmacist.

 

[PharmD17']

1. I went to a Drake University, not the top by any means, but I think it was rated around 50ish or so when I saw the latest rankings (If you put any credence into them).
2. I did my undergrad at a highly competitive private school - so my perspective might be a little off.
3. I did graduate in the top 5% of my class and worked nearly full time.
4. I am not trying to brag, but school has always came easy to me, so I might not be the "norm" when you are trying to compare the average student. I don't say this to sound arrogant - just to put my previous statement in perspective.
5. I have been very successful in my career and often am the "go to person" with a lot of practical/clinical aspects of healthcare or for that random fact - so I am pretty sure my school didn't hold me back.
6. I know a handfull of people from STCOP - they were perfectly capable RPh's (even if they referred to their school as St Louis College of Retail Pharmacy). and gasp - they only had a BS - not a pharmD - oh the horror (rolling eyes)
7. I precept for one of the top rated pharmacy schools in the country - and I can guarantee you that being from a "good" school does not automatically translate into being a good pharmacist.

it appears you are one of the less common minds that seems to be able to intake all that you learn and understand it immediately. I envy your brain lol, we have a small amount of students in my class whose minds work like yours (one who has a photographic memory). It is quite frustrating to the average student when you over hear things like I studied last night and got an A, or something along those lines lol. But commendable at the same time!

Ah I see! Things have changed a bit, STLCOP is now a PharmD program and for whatever reason seems to work on a dog eats dog, rule out the weak mentality.

Oh goodness no! A good pharmacist has nothing to do with what school they went to but more about their character, work ethic, care etc.

 

[sakigt]

I, on the other hand, am a solid "B" student. For me to get an A in a difficult class requires an exceptional amount of studying and focus. Memorizing for an exam does not come naturally for me. Instead of spending that additional time to get an extra 1-2 point on an exam (and immediately forget the actual material) I worked in a pharmacy and learned other things. I worked 15-25 hrs a week, sometimes 30. Dont use "Im not smart like you" as an excuse for not working. We all get worn out and cant study anymore and Im suggesting you anticipate this and sign up for some shifts.

 

[RxStudentatUB]

I saw this on the pre-pharm thread, take a look and draw your own conclusions. This article drives home some good points, namely, be conscious of how much you borrow and pay off your loans after graduation as fast as humanely possible. I looked at the USC forum and they're all legitimately screwed unless mom and pops pay for their education.

http://www.thepharmacistblog.com/2015/03/24/is-pharmacy-school-worth-it/

After coming up with a good financial plan for the next 4-10 years, find a study plan that works best for you. Friends from medical school all told me powerpoints and audio commentary were much more preferred over reading textbooks and teaching yourself. Of course, this all depends on the school you attend and what type of professors dictate your courses. Finally, take your courses seriously while working 20-30 hours per week. Your "downtime" should not be spent socializing with pharmacy organization members that just want your annual fee in the end, spend it instead at the gym taking care of your fitness for 1-2 hours everyday.

 

[Dred Pirate]

I, on the other hand, am a solid "B" student. For me to get an A in a difficult class requires an exceptional amount of studying and focus. Memorizing for an exam does not come naturally for me. Instead of spending that additional time to get an extra 1-2 point on an exam (and immediately forget the actual material) I worked in a pharmacy and learned other things. I worked 15-25 hrs a week, sometimes 30. Dont use "Im not smart like you" as an excuse for not working. We all get worn out and cant study anymore and Im suggesting you anticipate this and sign up for some shifts.

exactly - I could not agree with you more. For the most part, your actual grades don't mean that much (provided you are over a 3.0) - I say this coming from a 3.9 student. I have NEVER been asked what my GPA is - I only had it on my resume for the first year after graduation - after that - meaningless, yet the experience will help you much much more