choosing pharmacy over ....?

[AtomicLuv]

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hi all!

I have been reading these pharm threads for a while now, and recently started thinking that pharmacy might be better suited for me than med school..
I have been volunteering in a hospital pharmacy to get a better idea..

anyway, a lot of posters say that there are so many careers that pay well and that some of us will like more than pharmacy...what are these careers?
also, there seems to be a debate about whether or not its okay for people to go into pharmacy mostly for the money/lifestyle? (like excluding "the love of the job"?)

this all seems rather strange to me. I initially wanted to "help people" but when I realized what I would have to put myself through in order to become a doctor, all the schooling and insane hours (forever!), I started considering other options. I like science, and medicine related subjects, and I also want to have a job with a high salary, if I am already going to pursue a degree after undergrad, I may as well pick something with a potential of a high salary!

however, I am not in love with any sort of job...sadly, and I get bored really easily with all sorts of subjects...but the work atmosphere as a pharmacist in a hospital seems very energetic and friendly, and the people who come to get prescriptions filled all wait patiently. I have never heard anyone yell...I have never even seen rude people in retail pharmacies...(in NYC for goodness sake)...

some posters here seem to be exagerating...

am i wrong? why is it so awful to pick a job that seems alright with a high salary? what if a person literally is not like "in love" with any career option?? 😕

and as for PA's, and nurses, etc...I think they are wonderful professions, but definately not for me because if I was going to go that route..I would already go all the way..(med school)...

what do you all think?? 😎

 

[n0estoy]

yeah, things do tend to get a little exagerated around here, but the intention is good. The idea is: do what you love. If you follow that, no matter how bad things get, at least you will enjoy what you do. That said, if you can't find something you love, at least find something you like. Basically, don't do anything just for the money, because it is rarely worth it. Addtionally, such an attitude is hurtful to the pharmacy profession (which is why some get so adamant about it).

If you enjoy the experience you have had w/ pharmacy, then go for it. If you're in doubt, don't rush yourself.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

however, I am not in love with any sort of job...sadly, and I get bored really easily with all sorts of subjects...but the work atmosphere as a pharmacist in a hospital seems very energetic and friendly, and the people who come to get prescriptions filled all wait patiently. I have never heard anyone yell...I have never even seen rude people in retail pharmacies...

Whatever bizzare utopian universe you come from, I am interested in joining you there. Last week when Medicaid went down, I had someone threaten to kill me because he had to pay $7.99, of which $7.49 would be reimbursed tomorrow, for his Lortab rather than the $0.50 he usually paid. Maybe the white coat syndrome of the hospital carries over to the outpatient hospital, too. Even though I wear a white coat in the supermarket next to the frozen food isle and the beer fridge. And smile. A hideous, fake smile, but a smile nonetheless. It's not fair. Trade me jobs.

 

[sdn1977]

You don't indicate how long you've attended college. Its hard for me to believe you like English literature from the 18th century equally with molecular biology and organic chemistry. Surely one or the other of them leap out as something you'd like to pursue a bit more?????

Altho WVUPharm2007 has eloquence I can't compete with...I would agree that we do see, more often than not, the worst of human behavior outside of a prison. We see people who are sick &/or worried & we have to make them wait, or have to order their rx, or it costs more than what they expected (on top of the physician, lab & x-ray costs they have incurred prior to seeing you!).

We can't make your decision for you....you have to live with the result so you gotta make the decision. In my area, you'd make lots and lots and lots more money programming new video games - but not only couldn't I do it, I'd be bored silly! So....IMO....money should be lower on your list, if thats what you wanted an answer to.

 

[fidelio]

Well, you won't know whether you love a job until you actually get to do it. Good luck to ya.

 

[Requiem]

Know what guys, I feel sorry for the american pharmacists here who get abused.

In all honesty I have not been yelled at or verbally abused by a patient or physician and i've been working for 2 months @ 35/hrs week. Every patient who comes into our pharmacy knows the pharmacists quite well and we're honest if they're to expect a wait. I think it helps that the older pharmacist/myself crack jokes and make people feel relaxed, so we just have conversations while they wait but all in all no one has "flipped" out.

Come to Canada, eh?

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Know what guys, I feel sorry for the american pharmacists here who get abused.

In all honesty I have not been yelled at or verbally abused by a patient or physician and i've been working for 2 months @ 35/hrs week. Every patient who comes into our pharmacy knows the pharmacists quite well and we're honest if they're to expect a wait. I think it helps that the older pharmacist/myself crack jokes and make people feel relaxed, so we just have conversations while they wait but all in all no one has "flipped" out.

Come to Canada, eh?

I'm visiting Toronto on the 22nd. I'll go around and ask the pharmacists what it's like.

 

[Caverject]

Know what guys, I feel sorry for the american pharmacists here who get abused.

In all honesty I have not been yelled at or verbally abused by a patient or physician and i've been working for 2 months @ 35/hrs week. Every patient who comes into our pharmacy knows the pharmacists quite well and we're honest if they're to expect a wait. I think it helps that the older pharmacist/myself crack jokes and make people feel relaxed, so we just have conversations while they wait but all in all no one has "flipped" out.

Come to Canada, eh?

This isn't an American/Canadian difference. You will find pharmacies in Canada with people bitching about their wait times or medications just like you do in America. The difference is how well you train your patients in terms of expectations.

 

[AtomicLuv]

You don't indicate how long you've attended college. Its hard for me to believe you like English literature from the 18th century equally with molecular biology and organic chemistry. Surely one or the other of them leap out as something you'd like to pursue a bit more?????

this is really funny, because I just finished my second yr of undergrad, and my classes in the last semester were english literature from the 18th century,(mostly poetry), inorganic chem, and physics!! and guess what?! I liked all of them! Each class was interesting, and although physics was very difficult, each one was fun to learn...so now what?? I can't pursue physics because its waaay too hard, but that leaves me chemistry and english..and everything in between..

really nothing jumps out at me..I did well in everything...I'm sure there are others out there that enjoy both science and literature?? maybe I'm not old enough to decide yet?? 🙂

 

[sdn1977]

Know what guys, I feel sorry for the american pharmacists here who get abused.

In all honesty I have not been yelled at or verbally abused by a patient or physician and i've been working for 2 months @ 35/hrs week. Every patient who comes into our pharmacy knows the pharmacists quite well and we're honest if they're to expect a wait. I think it helps that the older pharmacist/myself crack jokes and make people feel relaxed, so we just have conversations while they wait but all in all no one has "flipped" out.

Come to Canada, eh?

I just got back from a vacation in Canada....you live in a beautiful country! I didn't go into any pharmacies though - it was a vacation.....

 

[sdn1977]

You don't indicate how long you've attended college. Its hard for me to believe you like English literature from the 18th century equally with molecular biology and organic chemistry. Surely one or the other of them leap out as something you'd like to pursue a bit more?????

this is really funny, because I just finished my second yr of undergrad, and my classes in the last semester were english literature from the 18th century,(mostly poetry), inorganic chem, and physics!! and guess what?! I liked all of them! Each class was interesting, and although physics was very difficult, each one was fun to learn...so now what?? I can't pursue physics because its waaay too hard, but that leaves me chemistry and english..and everything in between..

really nothing jumps out at me..I did well in everything...I'm sure there are others out there that enjoy both science and literature?? maybe I'm not old enough to decide yet?? 🙂

I wouldn't say you're not old enough...but, perhaps, just not ready to define what you want to do the rest of your lifel.

It's absolutely wonderful you liked all those classes & I salute you for doing well in ANY English class since I can't write myself out of a paper bag even if I had to let alone figure out poetry.

But...you've got a good start! You did well in physics, but you say it was too hard - so altho you liked it, you don't want to pursue it further. Great...now...did you like inorganic enough to want to try organic or upper division chemistry? Did you like 18th century poetry enough to try 19th century literature or poets of the 20th century? Do you like to read/analyze it or do you like to write it? There are fields which incorporate science & writing - technical writers assist scientists with textbooks, grant writing, etc., but its not very creative.

Chemistry becomes analytical & pharmacy requires lots of chemistry. There is a tremendous aspect of repetition within pharmacy and not much room for creativity. Do you prefer the creative side of study to the analytic side or vice versa - not what comes easily....what do you prefer?

If you were my child, I'd encourage you to focus on obtaining an undergraduate degree by taking upper division classes in what is of interest to you - not what is easy. There's always time for graduate work, but not many years to have the freedom to find out what really interests you. Have fun, jump in and try upper division classes & see what happens.....Good luck!

 

[twester]

You don't indicate how long you've attended college. Its hard for me to believe you like English literature from the 18th century equally with molecular biology and organic chemistry. Surely one or the other of them leap out as something you'd like to pursue a bit more?????

this is really funny, because I just finished my second yr of undergrad, and my classes in the last semester were english literature from the 18th century,(mostly poetry), inorganic chem, and physics!! and guess what?! I liked all of them! Each class was interesting, and although physics was very difficult, each one was fun to learn...so now what?? I can't pursue physics because its waaay too hard, but that leaves me chemistry and english..and everything in between..

really nothing jumps out at me..I did well in everything...I'm sure there are others out there that enjoy both science and literature?? maybe I'm not old enough to decide yet?? 🙂

Would you rather spend the 115,000 approximate hours of your working life as a pharmacist or as a writer/academic/essayist? If you can't say, then keep looking. You're young. Stay in school and figure it out. Most of us figure out what we want to be "when we grow up" eventually. 🙂

And career changes are very common. There's nothing that says that once you decide on something that you can't change your mind. The later the change is made, the more difficult it is to do - but it's still possible. If I had it to do over again, I would have tried harder to get it right the first time though.

 

[AtomicLuv]

I wouldn't say you're not old enough...but, perhaps, just not ready to define what you want to do the rest of your lifel.

It's absolutely wonderful you liked all those classes & I salute you for doing well in ANY English class since I can't write myself out of a paper bag even if I had to let alone figure out poetry.

But...you've got a good start! You did well in physics, but you say it was too hard - so altho you liked it, you don't want to pursue it further. Great...now...did you like inorganic enough to want to try organic or upper division chemistry? Did you like 18th century poetry enough to try 19th century literature or poets of the 20th century? Do you like to read/analyze it or do you like to write it? There are fields which incorporate science & writing - technical writers assist scientists with textbooks, grant writing, etc., but its not very creative.

Chemistry becomes analytical & pharmacy requires lots of chemistry. There is a tremendous aspect of repetition within pharmacy and not much room for creativity. Do you prefer the creative side of study to the analytic side or vice versa - not what comes easily....what do you prefer?

If you were my child, I'd encourage you to focus on obtaining an undergraduate degree by taking upper division classes in what is of interest to you - not what is easy. There's always time for graduate work, but not many years to have the freedom to find out what really interests you. Have fun, jump in and try upper division classes & see what happens.....Good luck!

Thanks a lot to everyone for your advice!
I actually was going to major in English, but then I realized all I wanted was the two creative writing courses, not the literature ones.. 😱 .I definately do not want to take the rest of the brittish literature, I can read it on my own just fine, I dont need to be taught it!!
As for chem, I definately want to take upperdivision courses, I do not feel like I am finished with it, (im definately finished with physics because I get a mental block everytime I try to think about it)
I am definately interested in how drugs work, the affect they have on the body, especially like how it all happens in reality, I have always appreciated science for explaining life..and a job that allows me to combine this and being in healthcare seems like a good idea to me...especially with everything I have been reading about residencies and being a clinical pharmacist (all I do now is package pills and make deliveries in the hospital pharmacy but I like the idea of being in that environment!)

I have realized I can major in chem and take creative writing for fun..I LOVE to write stories but once again, not so much like essays (I dont like being told what to write)..so fiction is something I can pursue on my own... 😎

anyway, thanks again! these comments are definately food for thought! 😳

 

[leelee]

hi all!

I have been reading these pharm threads for a while now, and recently started thinking that pharmacy might be better suited for me than med school..
I have been volunteering in a hospital pharmacy to get a better idea..

anyway, a lot of posters say that there are so many careers that pay well and that some of us will like more than pharmacy...what are these careers?
also, there seems to be a debate about whether or not its okay for people to go into pharmacy mostly for the money/lifestyle? (like excluding "the love of the job"?)

this all seems rather strange to me. I initially wanted to "help people" but when I realized what I would have to put myself through in order to become a doctor, all the schooling and insane hours (forever!), I started considering other options. I like science, and medicine related subjects, and I also want to have a job with a high salary, if I am already going to pursue a degree after undergrad, I may as well pick something with a potential of a high salary!

however, I am not in love with any sort of job...sadly, and I get bored really easily with all sorts of subjects...but the work atmosphere as a pharmacist in a hospital seems very energetic and friendly, and the people who come to get prescriptions filled all wait patiently. I have never heard anyone yell...I have never even seen rude people in retail pharmacies...(in NYC for goodness sake)...

some posters here seem to be exagerating...

am i wrong? why is it so awful to pick a job that seems alright with a high salary? what if a person literally is not like "in love" with any career option?? 😕

and as for PA's, and nurses, etc...I think they are wonderful professions, but definately not for me because if I was going to go that route..I would already go all the way..(med school)...

what do you all think?? 😎

AtomicLuv,

Have you ever considered optometry? It, like pharmacy, is a great profession, and both require similar amounts of schooling. It is a more specific profession, though. Dentistry is also a great profession. Just throwing some options at you for your own information...but if you're set on pharmacy, that's great too. 👍

 

[crossurfingers]

hi all!

I have been reading these pharm threads for a while now, and recently started thinking that pharmacy might be better suited for me than med school..
I have been volunteering in a hospital pharmacy to get a better idea..

anyway, a lot of posters say that there are so many careers that pay well and that some of us will like more than pharmacy...what are these careers?
also, there seems to be a debate about whether or not its okay for people to go into pharmacy mostly for the money/lifestyle? (like excluding "the love of the job"?)

this all seems rather strange to me. I initially wanted to "help people" but when I realized what I would have to put myself through in order to become a doctor, all the schooling and insane hours (forever!), I started considering other options. I like science, and medicine related subjects, and I also want to have a job with a high salary, if I am already going to pursue a degree after undergrad, I may as well pick something with a potential of a high salary!

however, I am not in love with any sort of job...sadly, and I get bored really easily with all sorts of subjects...but the work atmosphere as a pharmacist in a hospital seems very energetic and friendly, and the people who come to get prescriptions filled all wait patiently. I have never heard anyone yell...I have never even seen rude people in retail pharmacies...(in NYC for goodness sake)...

some posters here seem to be exagerating...

am i wrong? why is it so awful to pick a job that seems alright with a high salary? what if a person literally is not like "in love" with any career option?? 😕

and as for PA's, and nurses, etc...I think they are wonderful professions, but definately not for me because if I was going to go that route..I would already go all the way..(med school)...

what do you all think?? 😎

I think I am still exactly like you. I'm a PS-3 and ever since the first day of college I've been lost in what to do with myself. I'm not one of those people that experienced a sort of calling to a certain job or even feels passionately about anything- something that drives my parents crazy. I ended up picking pharmacy to appease them and overall I was a more science and healthcare oriented person anyway. Pharmacy is starting to grow on me and I'm glad I made the career choice (so far). I might be in the minority, but I don't expect any job to make me happy (even though pharmacy does have its' moments). I'd rather find happiness in spending time with friends and family and I think that the lifestyle that pharmacy offers will help me do that.

 

[AtomicLuv]

I think I am still exactly like you. I'm a PS-3 and ever since the first day of college I've been lost in what to do with myself. I'm not one of those people that experienced a sort of calling to a certain job or even feels passionately about anything- something that drives my parents crazy. I ended up picking pharmacy to appease them and overall I was a more science and healthcare oriented person anyway. Pharmacy is starting to grow on me and I'm glad I made the career choice (so far). I might be in the minority, but I don't expect any job to make me happy (even though pharmacy does have its' moments). I'd rather find happiness in spending time with friends and family and I think that the lifestyle that pharmacy offers will help me do that.

omg, that's exactly how I feel!!!!! LOL
I have just recently realized that no job will make me happy either. I just want something I will like, and that will allow me to spend a good amount of time being with friends and family! Plus, I have a lot of interests in non-work related things like reading, writing, exercise, fashion, etc....that I would want to just enjoy without having a stressful job u know?

Optometry is awesome, except that I feel pharmacy has more options, like more different types of jobs and is more flexible, plus I think I shall find it interesting... 😀