Failed a course and thinking about dropping out

[Bubblewrap]

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[Sparda29]

I failed a rotation, didn't stop me. (Albeit, it was a public health rotation with an HIV awareness organization. I failed because I refused to go around Harlem yelling random facts about HIV and giving out free condoms and lube.)

 

[Bubblewrap]

I failed a rotation, didn't stop me. (Albeit, it was a public health rotation with an HIV awareness organization. I failed because I refused to go around Harlem yelling random facts about HIV and giving out free condoms and lube.)

Did you really fail a rotation? Some professors told me that failing rotations can negatively affect your outcomes in getting a job.

 

[StellargalS]

Hi, I just found out of failed a course and I know I have the option of staying back a year (or how ever long) to pass the course but I'm also thinking about dropping out.

I was feeling this way while I was taking the course. Now that I failed, I'm wondering if I should continue. I'm a P2 who hasn't gotten any work experience yet. I was hoping to this summer but now that I've failed a class, I might have to re-take it in the summer, so there goes my chances of getting hired.

Also, I wanted to do hospital pharmacy, which is kind of competitive in my area. I heard that you need to do at least one year of residencies to be a hospital pharmacist since the market is competitive.

Should I continue pharmacy school or look for another career path?

Looking forward. Say you meet all of your requirements and graduate but find the job market lacks security and opportunity for you as an individual. Is this an acceptable outcome for you? How long would you be willing to endure these circumstances waiting for the market to correct itself?

A great friend of mine in pharmacy school struggled with your current set back. If she persevered she was guaranteed a job making bank in an area she wanted to be in. Back then I told her to suck it up and that it was well worth the spoils. I would not say that today because there is no visible light at the end of the tunnel. However geography, connections, and personal preference can change the direction of the tunnel. Do you know what is waiting for you and can you create acceptable opportunities for yourself if you succeed? This is not a question of competence or aptitude. Only you can answer it.

 

[accordman83]

I failed a rotation also, and it didn't stop me from getting a pharmacist position in a semi-saturated area with an excellent company who treats their employees very well. I say don't let one little failure deter you from continuing, if you think you still want to be in pharmacy, continue on and learn from your mistakes.

 

[trailerpark]

I failed a rotation also, and it didn't stop me from getting a pharmacist position in a semi-saturated area with an excellent company who treats their employees very well. I say don't let one little failure deter you from continuing, if you think you still want to be in pharmacy, continue on and learn from your mistakes.

How did you fail your rotation?

 

[Sparda29]

Did you really fail a rotation? Some professors told me that failing rotations can negatively affect your outcomes in getting a job.

Yup, I did fail a rotation. Now, my rotation was a public health rotation so most pharmacy employers would not give a **** about that. (Not to mention, not one place I applied to for a job (not residency) asked my for my transcripts. All they wanted was a copy of my diploma, license, and registration.)

If you fail a rotation for being an overall jerk to the techs, patients, customers, preceptor then yeah you probably deserve whatever happens. But for the most part, small things like dress code, punctuality won't affect you too much (being late 5-10 minutes without calling ahead, no one really cares).

 

[Bubblewrap]

If I wanted to be a hospital pharmacist, do I have to do a residency? I actually haven't met a hospital pharmacist this far but I heard from one of my classmates that I would still have to do a residency for a staff position.

 

[Sparda29]

If I wanted to be a hospital pharmacist, do I have to do a residency? I actually haven't met a hospital pharmacist this far but I heard from one of my classmates that I would still have to do a residency for a staff position.

From the way it's looking nowadays, you probably do need to do a residency. However, at my hospital, none of the staff pharmacists have done a residency (including me).

 

[accordman83]

How did you fail your rotation?

It was a combination of poor preparation on my part for one of my journal clubs, and calling off one too many days (but still within the official call off limit). Couple that with an overzealous faculty preceptor and you can guess the outcome. Even with failing a rotation at my own school, I still eventually got a job in the same market.

 

[Transformer]

The Hospital pharmacist profession is changing. In the west coast where pharmacy is more progressive, hospital staff pharmacists hold hybrid positions with both staff and clinical duties. Hence it only makes sense, pharmacy directors want residency trained pharmacists.

In the east coast (NYC), where Sparada and I practice, many hospitals are slow at making these changes. This is attributed by large pharmacy departments and the presence of labor unions. Even so, in ten years, I predict residency will also be a requirement for hospital staff positions in NY. I hear NYU is already starting this trend.

From the way it's looking nowadays, you probably do need to do a residency. However, at my hospital, none of the staff pharmacists have done a residency (including me).

 

[Bubblewrap]

The Hospital pharmacist profession is changing. In the west coast where pharmacy is more progressive, hospital staff pharmacists hold hybrid positions with both staff and clinical duties. Hence it only makes sense, pharmacy directors want residency trained pharmacists.

In the east coast (NYC), where Sparada and I practice, many hospitals are slow at making these changes. This is attributed by large pharmacy departments and the presence of labor unions. Even so, in ten years, I predict residency will also be a requirement for hospital staff positions in NY. I hear NYU is already starting this trend.

Hmm, I see, so it seems like I will have a very slim chance in getting a job in the future. I live in the South and the job opportunities seem pretty good from what I've heard but I've also heard its competitive out there. I don't want to give up on hospital pharmacy though and I would have to pay off a lot debt if I just drop out like this.

 

[Sparda29]

The Hospital pharmacist profession is changing. In the west coast where pharmacy is more progressive, hospital staff pharmacists hold hybrid positions with both staff and clinical duties. Hence it only makes sense, pharmacy directors want residency trained pharmacists.

In the east coast (NYC), where Sparada and I practice, many hospitals are slow at making these changes. This is attributed by large pharmacy departments and the presence of labor unions. Even so, in ten years, I predict residency will also be a requirement for hospital staff positions in NY. I hear NYU is already starting this trend.

I work for another major health-system which primarily serves the Bronx and Westchester County, and the HR rep over there told me that all day-time staff pharmacists at that health-system's main hospital, have completed a residency, since they are all expected to go on rounds in the mornings, follow patients, etc. (I work per-diem at one of the satellite hospitals in that health system, so I wasn't required to have a residency. I was also being considered for an overnight position at the main hospital and that didn't require a residency either.)

From what I've seen on job postings and hearsay, these are the NYC hospitals that require residency for staffing.

NYU
Montefiore Medical Center (main campus)
North-Shore LIJ: Lenox Hill Hospital

 

[Transformer]

Hi Bubblewrap,

8 years ago, a pharmacy school counselor told me I had a "slim to no chance" of ever getting accepted to pharmacy school. Having volunteered, worked as a pharmacy clerk and technician for many years, I knew what I was getting myself into and knew clinical pharmacist was what I wanted to be. I then spent 3 years completing my pre-reqs at a community college while working part time (32 hrs/wk), was accepted to pharmacy school and am now a hospital pharmacist.

Bottom line, if becoming a pharmacist is truly what you want, you will learn from this experience and succeed no matter how competitive the job market is or will become. As the saying goes, "If there is a will, there is a way." Good Luck Bubblewrap. I'm rooting for you. Don't give up.

Hmm, I see, so it seems like I will have a very slim chance in getting a job in the future. I live in the South and the job opportunities seem pretty good from what I've heard but I've also heard its competitive out there. I don't want to give up on hospital pharmacy though and I would have to pay off a lot debt if I just drop out like this.

 

[cuedee]

Hi, I just found out of failed a course and I know I have the option of staying back a year (or how ever long) to pass the course but I'm also thinking about dropping out.

I was feeling this way while I was taking the course. Now that I failed, I'm wondering if I should continue. I'm a P2 who hasn't gotten any work experience yet. I was hoping to this summer but now that I've failed a class, I might have to re-take it in the summer, so there goes my chances of getting hired.

Also, I wanted to do hospital pharmacy, which is kind of competitive in my area. I heard that you need to do at least one year of residencies to be a hospital pharmacist since the market is competitive.


Should I continue pharmacy school or look for another career path?

First, find out your school's fail policy. You may not need to repeat it. At my school, you have to repeat the year or are dismissed after the third failing grade. So students could get 2 D's and still graduate on time. You may be okay as long as you don't have a long string of failing grades. Go read your school's policies. Have you received any communication from the dean or your adviser?

 

[Hope1974]

Did you really fail a rotation? Some professors told me that failing rotations can negatively affect your outcomes in getting a job.

That's BS. .......Along with the MTM BS they feed you.

 

[Bubblewrap]

First, find out your school's fail policy. You may not need to repeat it. At my school, you have to repeat the year or are dismissed after the third failing grade. So students could get 2 D's and still graduate on time. You may be okay as long as you don't have a long string of failing grades. Go read your school's policies. Have you received any communication from the dean or your adviser?

Nobody contacted me yet but I asked someone in Student Services and she told me I would have to repeat that class in the summer....

 

[Bubblewrap]

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[STLclinical16]

That's BS. .......Along with the MTM BS they feed you.

haha nice to see someone else who isnt buying everything their school sells them!
i read a study on how many medicare patients surveyed would like to have mtm, and how many would be willing to pay for it.
the result was just about none of them.