How come most pharmacists go into retail?

[RLK]

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I was looking at the stats on purdue's website and noticed that over 50% of the graduating pharm students went into retail. Is it because of the money or what? Retail pharmacy doesn't seem all that much different from working at a 7-eleven.

 

[TrojanAnteater]

I can think of about 80,000 ways its different/better than working at 7-11. Oh, 80,001- I don't hear about as many robberies at pharmacies.

 

[ultracet]

money

and i hear about a lot of robberies at pharmacies

 

[imperial frog]

I was looking at the stats on purdue's website and noticed that over 50% of the graduating pharm students went into retail. Is it because of the money or what? Retail pharmacy doesn't seem all that much different from working at a 7-eleven.

Perhaps it's because that's where the majority of the jobs are. Someone's got to fill them.

 

[bananaface]

Retail pays more. Hospital jobs are fewer, further between, and harder to get.

 

[RLK]

Retail pays more. Hospital jobs are fewer, further between, and harder to get.

So, if you were thinking of going into pharmacy, you would most likely end up working in retail pharmacy, at least at first? Would you say that's true?

 

[NYCillini]

So, if you were thinking of going into pharmacy, you would most likely end up working in retail pharmacy, at least at first? Would you say that's true?

I hear that there maybe large signing bonus involved...which is attractive if you have a lot of student loans.

 

[imperial frog]

So, if you were thinking of going into pharmacy, you would most likely end up working in retail pharmacy, at least at first? Would you say that's true?

Going by strict numbers, because there are more total retail jobs than there are hospital or other types, yes. However you have other factors at play which alter the equation a little. For instance, you might shine at a speciality which gives you a leg up over other candidates or you might know the right people in order to land the job you want.

Another factor is there are some people (me for one) who have no intention of going after a hospital or residency and want to go into retail. I'm not going to be competing with any person over a hospital job, and I'm sure there are others out there who have the same intention.

 

[dgroulx]

You have more patient contact in retail. You get to know your patients and you are in a position to make a difference in their lives. They appreciate that fact and respect you. It's the techs that get mistreated by the jerks that come in.

When I did a hospital rotation last year, all I did was look at charts on the floor. The pharmacists generally stayed at a computer all day except when they checked charts. They had no patient contact at all.

 

[Trancelucent1]

I'm happy I won't be competing with you for a residency James 😉

~Pam

 

[imperial frog]

I'm happy I won't be competing with you for a residency James 😉

~Pam

Only dodgeball competitions.