how important is it to do residency??

[calirx111]

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I am a 4th year pharmacy student and am currently deciding on whether I should do a residency. I know I want to work as a clinical pharmacist, but is it really that important to have done a residency for this sort of position? I know that it makes you more appealing when ur applying for a job, but what if you can slowly get clinical experience at a small hospital or something?..a part of me doesnt want to do a residency because I am tired of being in school and of doing projects and presentations during rotation, that I dont want to do it for another year. But then at the same time I dont want to end up regretting not doing a residency. Any advice??? Please help..really stressed about this decision!!! Thanks!

 

[rxforlife2004]

I am a 4th year pharmacy student and am currently deciding on whether I should do a residency. I know I want to work as a clinical pharmacist, but is it really that important to have done a residency for this sort of position? I know that it makes you more appealing when ur applying for a job, but what if you can slowly get clinical experience at a small hospital or something?..a part of me doesnt want to do a residency because I am tired of being in school and of doing projects and presentations during rotation, that I dont want to do it for another year. But then at the same time I dont want to end up regretting not doing a residency. Any advice??? Please help..really stressed about this decision!!! Thanks!

It depends on a lot of factors...but yes, u should do a residency if you wanna compete for a job in hospital, especially a clinical job. Rarely, you would be able to jump in clinical activities without a residency, unless they're really short staffed and willing to traing you for a while....

In my area, southern california, it is extremely hard to get a hospital job. You must either have experience for 2 yrs or have residency to be considered for a job in hospital...i am not even talking about clinical job...just staff...

 

[firefighter9015]

I am a 4th year pharmacy student and am currently deciding on whether I should do a residency. I know I want to work as a clinical pharmacist, but is it really that important to have done a residency for this sort of position? I know that it makes you more appealing when ur applying for a job, but what if you can slowly get clinical experience at a small hospital or something?..a part of me doesnt want to do a residency because I am tired of being in school and of doing projects and presentations during rotation, that I dont want to do it for another year. But then at the same time I dont want to end up regretting not doing a residency. Any advice??? Please help..really stressed about this decision!!! Thanks!

From what I have gathered, if you want to go to a rural area, then you can probably get a clinical position without a residency. However, it all depends on location and the supply and demend in that area. If you have a particular area that you are interested in working, then check on requirements in that area!

 

[Trancelucent1]

Think of it this way, you'll be competing with all of those students who sacrificed and did residencies. It also depends on what you want to do. There are some positions which are mostly staffing with minor clinical duties (maybe 1 or 2 days a week) and these might be easier to get. However, residencies are becoming more of a norm for those who want those more "clinical" jobs so you might end up shooting yourself in the foot. I know of a few local hospitals who won't even look at applicants unless they have 2 year residencies (regardless of hospital experience) so this isn't uncommon. Good luck!