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"Burn out " factor in Pharmacy?
Started by Avrelian
I think this can happen in any field which is why you really need to make the right choice up front on what you want to do. Try to get some experience (not just a day or two) in each environment and really get a feel for what pharmacists and dentists do. I think there is less risk of this so called "burn out" if you're doing something that you love.
Moved to pre-pharm to improve throughput. Besides many of these pre-pharms are in pharmacies and know what it's like to work for the burnt-out in addition to burning out as techs and hoping for the improvement that comes with being in charge instead of under the supervision of someone else (though not the deciding factor in career choice generally). As for which is better, deciding which you would rather be doing is probably a better deciding factor in whether you burn out or not rather than whether other people have or not.
I've heard that retail pharmacists get the most work and do occasionally get burned out. How it compares to dentists though I do not know. But retail does get the most pay so maybe its worth it.
I'm working at a retail pharmacy right now and it is quite stressful sometimes, at least where I work, just because of all the extra inventory (front shop items, plus otc and prescription drugs) and there is a constant flow of patients so sometimes it's hard to keep up with all the prescriptions coming all at once. and if by "burn out" you mean like its just too overwhelming, yeah a lot of my coworkers do say they feel like that sometimes, but if you're really into your job, it doesn't really matter. But in the end, i agree with pharmagirl, just get exposed to both professions and see which one you prefer
well, im not sure about outside canada, but my old chem teacher's friend was a pharmacist at a hospital and she said she loved the environment, but the hours became a little brutal. On the other hand, she said shes VERY happy with the pay
Hi Avrelian!
I am in the exact same position as you. One thing for sure.. Dental school is absolutely harder to get in. I applied to dental school this year and did not get in 🙁. So I took the pcat and applied to pharm school and got in! hooray! Both are great careers..
I feel like burning out depends on how many hours you want to work, even for a dentist (higher suicidal rates are for dentists who work overtime.. like 6 days a week) but if you work 3 days a week you will still end up making 6 digits. Pharmacist hours aren't bad, it depends on where you work. My friend who works in a busy, poorer areas, the customers there are more rude and they make your job more stressful-->burning out can be the cause of this. But if you work in areas that are slow and in a average or well off area.. the customers respect you more making your job more pleasant. Super target is awesome if you become a pharmacist there. Lot's of factors.. and like what one of the post up there said.. if you like what you do then burning out won't be much of a problem.
Good luck on whatever you decide... But always have an alternate. If you go for dental make sure your DAT's are at least a 19-20 and a decent GPA... Most schools are so political nowadays.. activities and volunteer work isn't a huge role unless it's down to you and your competition.
😉
Choosing between being a dentist and a pharmacist has been my biggest concern ever since I heard a word or suggestion from the pharmacist at my work place. He has been working as a pharmacist for more than 18 years. One day, I asked him about the expected interview questions for the pharmacy school. And rather than answering my questions, he was strongly suggested me to become a dentist instead of a pharmacist.
of course I asked him why, and he said that pharmacists are just high-paid laborers.(SHOCKED!!!) once you work as one, you get almost no break and basically get stuck at the pharmacy all day long without no chair!! he also said that it gets even worse if you open your own pharmacy store (independent pharmacy). Also, having successful business is extremely rare.
He also mentioned that pharmacist is the number one job who dies from heart attack due to the stressful work surroundings.
I have been working as a pharmacy assistant at independent pharmacy for more than a year, but I never thought being a pharmacist is very extreme as I heard from him. I was so shocked when he told me all that. Even though being a pharmacist has been my DREAM ever since I had a job shadow during my high school year(I'm a junior at UW.) I can't deny that my firm passion of being a pharmacist is now shaking a little.. I don't know what to do..
What is so good about being a dentist anyway???
of course I asked him why, and he said that pharmacists are just high-paid laborers.(SHOCKED!!!) once you work as one, you get almost no break and basically get stuck at the pharmacy all day long without no chair!! he also said that it gets even worse if you open your own pharmacy store (independent pharmacy). Also, having successful business is extremely rare.
He also mentioned that pharmacist is the number one job who dies from heart attack due to the stressful work surroundings.
I have been working as a pharmacy assistant at independent pharmacy for more than a year, but I never thought being a pharmacist is very extreme as I heard from him. I was so shocked when he told me all that. Even though being a pharmacist has been my DREAM ever since I had a job shadow during my high school year(I'm a junior at UW.) I can't deny that my firm passion of being a pharmacist is now shaking a little.. I don't know what to do..
What is so good about being a dentist anyway???
Choosing between being a dentist and a pharmacist has been my biggest concern ever since I heard a word or suggestion from the pharmacist at my work place. He has been working as a pharmacist for more than 18 years. One day, I asked him about the expected interview questions for the pharmacy school. And rather than answering my questions, he was strongly suggested me to become a dentist instead of a pharmacist.
of course I asked him why, and he said that pharmacists are just high-paid laborers.(SHOCKED!!!) once you work as one, you get almost no break and basically get stuck at the pharmacy all day long without no chair!! he also said that it gets even worse if you open your own pharmacy store (independent pharmacy). Also, having successful business is extremely rare.
He also mentioned that pharmacist is the number one job who dies from heart attack due to the stressful work surroundings.
I have been working as a pharmacy assistant at independent pharmacy for more than a year, but I never thought being a pharmacist is very extreme as I heard from him. I was so shocked when he told me all that. Even though being a pharmacist has been my DREAM ever since I had a job shadow during my high school year(I'm a junior at UW.) I can't deny that my firm passion of being a pharmacist is now shaking a little.. I don't know what to do..
What is so good about being a dentist anyway???
of course I asked him why, and he said that pharmacists are just high-paid laborers.(SHOCKED!!!) once you work as one, you get almost no break and basically get stuck at the pharmacy all day long without no chair!! he also said that it gets even worse if you open your own pharmacy store (independent pharmacy). Also, having successful business is extremely rare.
He also mentioned that pharmacist is the number one job who dies from heart attack due to the stressful work surroundings.
I have been working as a pharmacy assistant at independent pharmacy for more than a year, but I never thought being a pharmacist is very extreme as I heard from him. I was so shocked when he told me all that. Even though being a pharmacist has been my DREAM ever since I had a job shadow during my high school year(I'm a junior at UW.) I can't deny that my firm passion of being a pharmacist is now shaking a little.. I don't know what to do..
What is so good about being a dentist anyway???
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Wow. Somebody throws out some bull**** numbers and sddenly you're questioning yourself, abased on those numbers. A better response would be to research the validity of those numbers. I can think of a TON of jobs that are more physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful than pharmacists, but that certainly aren't as nicely financially compensated. What is the source of this person's claim about "...pharmacist is the number one job who dies from eart attack due to stressful surroundings (sic)?" Is it job stress, or family stress, or environmental stress? What is "stress," and how does stress on one job compare to stress on another job? How does one person's definition of 'stress' compare to anoter person's?
This article http://eknowledger.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!F475D4DE444DB1AB!1111.entry clumps "Medicine/Caring Professions together as one to make it #2. It doesn't differentiate between pharmacists, dentists, neurosurgeons, or nurse's aides (who are making about $9 an hour for their troubles).
This article http://cord.acadiau.ca/documents/StressFacts.pdf doesn't even list doctors or other health care providers, other than Interns (and yeah, that's darn stressful). "Inner City High School Teacher is #1 on this list, and I can certainly agree with that.
Additionally, it is extremely difficult to quantify stress levels because there are so many variables: some people work better under stress, eustress is actually good, what's the actual source of the stress (work, home, family, finaances, ec).
So here's a question: do you like the idea of sticking your hand in other people's mouths? If that's interesting to you, be a dentist.
Here's the thing..
You have to be passionate at what you are getting yourself into. Dental school is not all that easy. I know of a professor that told a student to drop out going into his third year because he just isn't good with his hands (too big, bad coordination) and part of passing the boards is working with your hands (clinical part of it). A lot of my friends enjoy being a pharmacist.. heck some say it's too slow for them. To me it depends on where you work.. kind of like real estate.. location location location. And since you're working as a pharm tech.. do you enjoy what your doing?.. because a pharmacist will only be a step up not much difference from where you are at now, except you can order pharm techs around later with your pharmD degree. With the baby boomers retiring within a year or so.. pharmacist salaries will only go up.. (especially in Florida =)) Some pharmacist work 7 day then take the following week off.. hey that's like half a month off (that's like wahoo in my heads🙂).
One thing about dental is ... one you pay more for your insurance.. you're a lot more liable, the hours you put in is what you get, higher malpractice suits. whereas pharmacy.. your health insurance is covered, salary has consistently gone up, does not require any manual dexterity.. except for counting pills. Don't get me wrong both dental and pharmacy are great careers, but find one that appeals to you more.
I had this dilemma b/w pharm and dental for the longest time. Still am ahaha this is because I'm really great with my hands.. drilling, sculpting you name it.. But either way I am happy with either career.
Good luck to you! I hope you find one that you feel more passionate about.. don't just listen to your one pharmacist.. talk to other pharmacist and hear what they have to say. My friends brainwashed me on pharmacy.. I was sold.
BEING A RETAIL PHARMACIST consists of 8 hour days..no chair..stress..no breaks...and all that stuff your pharmacist told you. its true. especially if he works in a 24hr pharmacy. i work at one and DEFINITELY know what its like. its brutal...BUT..if you have AM shifts..its not bad..its those killer evenings.. but luckily they switch those out so you dont get burned out everyday!
BUT that doesnt happen everywhere!! slow retail stores will give you the option of breaks and less stress, and there are lots of other types of pharmacy.hospital...clinical...that are much less labor-intensive..retail isnt the only thing. youre hearing it from one side!
just weigh out all the options before you throw away your dream!!!
BUT that doesnt happen everywhere!! slow retail stores will give you the option of breaks and less stress, and there are lots of other types of pharmacy.hospital...clinical...that are much less labor-intensive..retail isnt the only thing. youre hearing it from one side!
just weigh out all the options before you throw away your dream!!!
I work at a very busy independent pharmacy. Our pharmacists complain alot about the same sort of things and I just thought I'd throw in my two cents.
Pharmacists, a profession I am just 4 1/2 years away from, are some the most unappreciative, spoiled, rich, stuck-up, whiney pieces of **** you will ever come into contact with. Plain and simple, they work about as hard as a manager at McDonald's with 10X the salary, benefits, and insane job security. If you are looking for a job where you sit down all day and make tons of money and never have to deal with anyone that is remotely difficult I would say pharmacy isn't for you. However, if you are willing to earn the ridiculously high salary you earn with a deep respect for the patient/provider relationship then pharmacy is for you. Pharmacists are like every other employee, they are going to always think they are underpaid and overworked. If you ask a dentists, theyll probably tell you to become a pharmacist.
Now, not all pharmacists are like this, but this is a very large sect of the pharmacist community and I just think it is really silly.
While I agree that there are numerous occupations that are as stressful and many that are more stressful, one of the things riding on the backs of the pharmacist at all times is you literally have the life of each and every customer in your hands. One misstep, and someone dies or is seriously harmed and you are out everything for which you have studied so hard (not to mention the debt you put yourself in to get there).
And pharmacists probably feel disrespected. As everyone here knows, most people are completely clueless about the amount of education and the rigorousness of even being admitted to a program, and treat you as a pill counter. The mgmt of large companies have little respect for you, either.
So before going into it, one thing you have to assess is your ability to derive pleasure from these limitations. Can you feel good about yourself despite having no respect from mgmt and customers, despite being treated as a laborer, despite being overworked to the point where you fear for the lives of the very people who are treating you so badly? Can you still do an excellent job and be happy?
And pharmacists probably feel disrespected. As everyone here knows, most people are completely clueless about the amount of education and the rigorousness of even being admitted to a program, and treat you as a pill counter. The mgmt of large companies have little respect for you, either.
So before going into it, one thing you have to assess is your ability to derive pleasure from these limitations. Can you feel good about yourself despite having no respect from mgmt and customers, despite being treated as a laborer, despite being overworked to the point where you fear for the lives of the very people who are treating you so badly? Can you still do an excellent job and be happy?
No, you don't. Get over yourself.
If you have an assignment (fill this rx) and you screw up then yeah, you blew it. But that's no less 'responsible for the patient's life' than the train conductor who screws up and causes a five-car wreck, or the restaurant cook who screws up by adding peanut oil when specifically told not to, or anything like that.
However, if you do your job as a pharmacist perfectly correctly, to the nth degree, the patient can still die through no fault of your own. Why is that? Because YOU'RE NOT THE PHYSICIAN who is making the decision to dose with a specific medication for a specific condition. The doctor doesn't clear his/her prescriptions through you (and frankly, you don't want that, because then you'd have to pay malpractice insurance).
So spare me the melodrama. Pharmacists do not "...literally have the life of the customer in their hands at all times."
Geez.
