Career Change, what are my chances?

[farmacyhopeful]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello,

As stated in the title I'm applying for the class of 2020. I completed my first bachelors 7 years ago with a mediocre gpa, and decided to go to nursing school (which I graduated with honors). I ended up working in an ICU for the past few years before being injured on the job (shoulder dislocation, freaking bariatric patients). For various reasons I decided pursue pharmacy, so I started retaking pharmacy prereqs while I worked. My current stats are:

cGPA: 3.17, sGPA: 3.06 -> this is factoring in my grades from 9 years ago, most recently I've earned all A's in my prereq retakes
PCAT: composite 90, writing-4
2 years CPhT experience at Walgreens, 4 years RN ICU, currently also a part time pharm tech at another hospital
3 very good LORs from professor, unit director and pharmacist

I applied to UT Austin, Univ. of Houston, Univ. of Utah, and Univ of Washington.

Any opinions? Should I apply to more programs? What are my realistic chances?

 

[frogsforlife]

I think you have pretty good chances. They will like that you have experience in the pharmacy world. I would only apply to the schools you want to go to. If one doesn't like you chances are the others won't either so don't waste your money apply to more. Its good to apply to a couple in case one school gets a bunch of great people but chances are the same groups of people are applying to all of them. Good luck! Don't worry to much you look like a good choice.

 

[Biochemistry2014]

Why not CRNA? Your ICU experience and honors grades should be enough to get you in. Much better job prospects and salary for less school and no optional residency.

Probably less tedious and more rewarding as well.

 

[farmacyhopeful]

Why not CRNA? Your ICU experience and honors grades should be enough to get you in. Much better job prospects and salary for less school and no optional residency.

Probably less tedious and more rewarding as well.

That was the plan originally haha - I even shadowed my aunt who is an anesthesiologist for a couple of months. I don't want to get too much into it but over the years I developed a semi-phobia when dealing with bodily fluids, particularly blood. It culminated in a prisoner trying to actively infect physicians and nurses; I know statistically the odds are in my favor over the course of a career, but it still made me pause and consider my family. Honestly one of the things I'm looking for is a more sterile work environment, and since chemistry was my strong point before going to nursing school I thought I'd throw my lot in here.

 

[farmacyhopeful]

I think you have pretty good chances. They will like that you have experience in the pharmacy world. I would only apply to the schools you want to go to. If one doesn't like you chances are the others won't either so don't waste your money apply to more. Its good to apply to a couple in case one school gets a bunch of great people but chances are the same groups of people are applying to all of them. Good luck! Don't worry to much you look like a good choice.

Thanks for your reply!