Any clinical pharmacists out there? Would love to hear about your experiences...

[almo0220]

Hello all,

I'm currently in my first semester in pharmacy school, and although the information we're learning is interesting, I am just not sure if pharmacy is totally for me. For quite some time, I've struggled with the decision of choosing b/w pharmacy and (don't hate me) medicine. I decided to ultimately go with pharmacy b/c of the cushier lifestyle, good pay, and still having the opportunity to be involved (to some extent) in patient care. However I feel like I may want to be more involved in patient care. I was wondering if anyone else was feeling this way?

Another caveat...I'm in an odd predicament as I have just been accepted to medical school... I applied because I wanted to have another option. Although I'm really tempted to take the offer, I'm also nervous about making a hasty decision to quit pharmacy school after just 1 year. If I do stick w/pharmacy, I do not see myself going into retail although the money is good. I rather, see myself going into clinical-type work. So, I wanted to ask, does anyone out there have any experience as a clinical pharmacist (or shadowing clinical pharmacists) and if so, what is your/their level of involvement with patients? Thanks guys!

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[crazybob]

Hello all,

I'm currently in my first semester in pharmacy school, and although the information we're learning is interesting, I am just not sure if pharmacy is totally for me. For quite some time, I've struggled with the decision of choosing b/w pharmacy and (don't hate me) medicine. I decided to ultimately go with pharmacy b/c of the cushier lifestyle, good pay, and still having the opportunity to be involved (to some extent) in patient care. However I feel like I may want to be more involved in patient care. I was wondering if anyone else was feeling this way?

Another caveat...I'm in an odd predicament as I have just been accepted to medical school... I applied because I wanted to have another option. Although I'm really tempted to take the offer, I'm also nervous about making a hasty decision to quit pharmacy school after just 1 year. If I do stick w/pharmacy, I do not see myself going into retail although the money is good. I rather, see myself going into clinical-type work. So, I wanted to ask, does anyone out there have any experience as a clinical pharmacist (or shadowing clinical pharmacists) and if so, what is your/their level of involvement with patients? Thanks guys!

The first semester in the spring? I've never heard of such a thing.

If you're having doubts about going through pharmacy school, and medical school is on your mind, your first year would be the time to make that decision. What's so hasty about realizing that you don't want to sit through a 4-year commitment?

 

[almo0220]

woops! wasn't thinking....i meant to say i finished my first semester...i'm currently in my second semester I guess it wouldn't be so much of a hasty decision because I'm constantly thinking/reflecting about it and trying to weigh the pros and cons of each option...((honestly it's been consuming me, it's all i think of....and as a result am falling behind in med chem! ahh!)) But I'm also hesitant to leave pharmacy school without giving it more of a chance...I honestly just don't know and realize this is a decision I will have to make for myself! But either way, I'm in somewhat of a bind and would love some input from those of you who are further along in your pharmacy careers (especially if you are working/shadowed clinical-type jobs)! Thanks again!

 

[smileyangel11]

As good as the name "Clinical Pharmacist" implies, don't expect your patient contact volume anywhere near MDs or even RNs. Typically, a clinical pharmacist means you interface with the med team a lot more than a staff RPH (e.g. you round with the team daily).

Keep in mind, it is hard to separate a true clinical pharmacist with regular staff RPH in many hospitals. As $$$ becomes tight, a lot hospitals expect their pharmacist to dual funx as clinical/staff.

As for whether to become MD vs PharmD, forget about the life comfort for minute, and think if all pays are equal, what would do you do? One of my classmate got accepted to med school 2nd year in pharmacy school, and decided against it. However, another of my classmate is currently a 1st med student while working as a part time RPH. Both are happy with their choices.

 

[pinkpillowzz]

I'll tell you the most straight forward answer with no BS around it: Go to medical school. You will not regret it.

 

[scorpionsama]

hi everyone I'm new here
I would like to konw if anyone applied for the accelerated PharmD prgram in Worcester? I'm lost...

I really appreciate any help...

 

[Momrowgal]

If you are interested primarily in patient care--medical school, definitely. Don't be fooled by a few glowing articles about what a few pharmacists do in highly exceptional circumstances.

 

[will7678]

I'll tell you the most straight forward answer with no BS around it: Go to medical school. You will not regret it.

Wow I have known many doctors that regretted going to med school. The original poster mentioned one of his considerations being lifestyle. Just about every doctor I know that has children is basically an absentee parent. That made the decision for me. I can handle not directly seeing my patients, I could not handle never seeing my children. (Of course I mean my theoretical, currently non existant children. But I would miss those cute little non existant guys.)

I think the best advice I ever got from a doctor I worked with was that if you could see yourself being happy doing anything other than medicine you should go do it. If you have reached a point where you will only be satisfied by a career in medicine then that is the only time it is worth the personal sacrifice that you will make.

 

[type b pharmD]

Clinical pharmacists who have truly awesome responsibilities are few and far between, however, if you are motivated, you can get there. If you got accepted into med school you are clearly smart enough to become a clinical pharmacist. From there it's just a matter of getting the right residencies and fellowship, and relocating, and you'll be able to find what you're looking for. Regardless of what haters say, in academic settings pharmacists can and do see patients daily (ie all day) and prescribe for them. You might want to reach out to BigpharmD or priapism (members on the board here) to see what their days are like. I think (not entirely sure) that they're both clinical subspecialists.

 

[Priapism321]

If you are interested primarily in patient care--medical school, definitely. Don't be fooled by a few glowing articles about what a few pharmacists do in highly exceptional circumstances.

Your advice is decent if the original poster does not consider himself to be an exceptional person. In reality, in my opinion, only about 10 - 15% of physicians actually do something that I consider to be "impressive" or "exceptional" on an intellectual or even technical level. In turn, I feel the same way about pharmacists, about one in ten would be described as "impressive."

 

[pharm B]

I'm grateful for the "Day in the life of" sticky regarding nuclear pharmacy. Has anyone thought about sharing their experiences in the other specialty fields (such as psych)?

 

[PharmaTope]

to be honest, that whole idea of "clinical pharmacist" rounding with teams, seeing patients, etc is not very realistic.

let me tell you what is good about medicine, it protects the profession with strong lobbying powers in washington, pharmacy does not.

pharmacy is now at a major surplus and more schools are opening bc opening an accreditation of pharmacy schools is much easier vs medical and dental schools.

medicine you have the ability have your own practice to get away from other bosses, in pharmacy you have many bosses and the idea of owning your own pharmacy is not realistic anymore.

clinical pharmacy is more about doing projects, looking at reports, making excel spreadsheets. you may go on rounds but also remember there are committees you are involved in like P&T committee where you are writing up monographs on drugs that physicians request.

P&T isn't the most fun thing in the word IMO.

You MUST remember you have to justify a position. If they can cut your position to save money they will. So you need to provide something the hospital needs.

Rounds as a pharmacist can be fun and all, so to say, but in clinical you will be working on projects a lot so you don't have that level of patient interaction that you would as a physician.

The issue with medicine is it is a big gamble. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE YOU WILL GET THE RESIDENCY YOU WANT!

you MUST have top board scores MUST MUST MUST MUST MUST. Match is a brutal process. However if got the scores you can get the residency you want and do waht you want. Another good thing about medicine is you can always change your career later bc you have control over it. YOU GENERATE INCOME, YOU GENERATE MONEY for a hospital. This is why you are valuable.

 

[dudecoolname]

the idea of owning your own pharmacy is not realistic anymore.

What do you mean? I have many independently owned pharmacies in my town, of course we still have the big names as well though.

 

[type b pharmD]

What do you mean? I have many independently owned pharmacies in my town, of course we still have the big names as well though.

some people either arent willing to learn about business, arent willing to save up the money required for up front investment, dont want to put in 60 hour work weeks, or dont want to move to a rural or underserved area.

 

[njac]

you MUST have top board scores MUST MUST MUST MUST MUST. Match is a brutal process. However if got the scores you can get the residency you want and do waht you want. Another good thing about medicine is you can always change your career later bc you have control over it. YOU GENERATE INCOME, YOU GENERATE MONEY for a hospital. This is why you are valuable.

Except that board scores don't mean jack for pharmacy residencies - you don't take the NAPLEX until after you've already commited to a position anyway.

You are coming across a bit jaded and pessimistic. I am the first to say that the match is a stupid, brutal process. But in many ways it is the best way to take care of a potentially messy situation.

I still love my job.

 

[Priapism321]

Except that board scores don't mean jack for pharmacy residencies - you don't take the NAPLEX until after you've already commited to a position anyway.

You are coming across a bit jaded and pessimistic. I am the first to say that the match is a stupid, brutal process. But in many ways it is the best way to take care of a potentially messy situation.

I still love my job.

I think PharmaTope is giving us advice on medical residencies, though I am not sure his opinion on the subject is relevant.

 

[Rebel78]

to be honest, that whole idea of "clinical pharmacist" rounding with teams, seeing patients, etc is not very realistic.

Really? Until last August I worked at WAG. I made my money and now I do exactly that.