Is saturation a myth?

[Jordan95]

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I have two family members who are pharmacist, both seem to think the job market is relatively stable. Although, they think some of the debt some of these kids are carrying is asinine.

Also why are there over 200 job postings for pharmacists in my large city on just indeed?

I'm just confused on why there's constant talk about the pharmacy job market being saturated. Am I missing something?

Thanks for any input,

 

[Mounjaro]

No, it is saturated. There are over 140+ pharmacy schools at the moment, there may be a lot of job postings in your large city, but in others it may not be the same.

For example, from my own personal experience, Atlanta and Nashville are extremely saturated. Since there are three pharmacy schools in the vicinity, it's difficult for the cities not to be. The more pharmacy schools opening (out of greed) , the more saturated pharmacy becomes.

The proof is in the statistics.

 

[hye345]

It's probably location and company dependent. Some places are more saturated than others.

Also, keep in mind this universal truth: no one goes on the internet to say that (the situation) is basically decent; they either say its terrible, all patients will kick your shins like toddlers if you take more than 5 minutes, and you will die alone and unloved, etc. or, they say something equally outrageous but in the opposite direction, like how MTM/clinical jazz is gonna be the new norm across the country, how we will all be on par with brain surgeons in terms of prestige, you can get any job in any corner of the country just by flashing a killer smile, how the job will bring waves of pleasure to your brain, etc. You get the picture.

 

[Jordan95]

No, it is saturated. There are over 140+ pharmacy schools at the moment, there may be a lot of job postings in your large city, but in others it may not be the same.

For example, from my own personal experience, Atlanta and Nashville are extremely saturated. Since there are three pharmacy schools in the vicinity, it's difficult for the cities not to be. The more pharmacy schools opening (out of greed) , the more saturated pharmacy becomes.

The proof is in the statistics.

Two cities with three pharmacy schools in them are an exception.

There are six pharmacy schools in my state. Five are within 200 miles. (If you're smart you can figure out what city I'm talking about).

Anyway, can you show me these statics? Not trying to be an ass honestly! I'm just curious.

 

[PharmtoCS]

With only a projected 3% growth over the 10 years (roughly 910 new jobs created per year) compared to 15,000 new grads each year, something has to give way.

 

[Mounjaro]

Two cities with three pharmacy schools in them are an exception.

There are six pharmacy schools in my state. Five are within 200 miles. (If you're smart you can figure out what city I'm talking about).

Anyway, can you show me these statics? Not trying to be an ass honestly! I'm just curious.

That would require me to actually know how many students are graduating from each school, and etc. However, an article from 2012 covers a bit of it:

http://pharmacy-schools.us/pharmacy-news/boom-in-pharmacy-schools-lead-to-saturated-market-in-tn/

Another recently in 2016:

http://www.pharmacytimes.com/contri...-drop-seen-in-pharmacist-job-market-indicator

Other then that, believe me or not, saturation isn't a myth. I'm not someone who goes around the forums spreading doom and gloom, I chose pharmacy because it's a passion of mine. Saturation or not, it's the only thing I can see myself doing.

 

[Dalteparin]

I have two family members who are pharmacist, both seem to think the job market is relatively stable. Although, they think some of the debt some of these kids are carrying is asinine.

Also why are there over 200 job postings for pharmacists in my large city on just indeed?

I'm just confused on why there's constant talk about the pharmacy job market being saturated. Am I missing something?

Thanks for any input,

Are you missing something? Yes. I've found that Indeed isn't the best place to look for pharmacy jobs - most times the postings there are really old and will stay up even after the position is filled. Check LinkedIn or the specific employers' websites for a more accurate picture.

Basically, over the last decade there's been a huge growth in the number of pharmacy schools plus expansion of existing schools, MTM didn't turn out to be the cash cow everyone thought it would be, provider status remains a distant dream, and due to the economic crunch in '08, most of the Boomer pharmacists who were supposed to retire are still working. Search these forums for job market saturation; it's a topic that's come up ad nauseam over last few ears.

 

[Jordan95]

Are you missing something? Yes. I've found that Indeed isn't the best place to look for pharmacy jobs - most times the postings there are really old and will stay up even after the position is filled. Check LinkedIn or the specific employers' websites for a more accurate picture.

Basically, over the last decade there's been a huge growth in the number of pharmacy schools plus expansion of existing schools, MTM didn't turn out to be the cash cow everyone thought it would be, provider status remains a distant dream, and due to the economic crunch in '08, most of the Boomer pharmacists who were supposed to retire are still working. Search these forums for job market saturation; it's a topic that's come up ad nauseam over last few ears.

What does MTM stand for?

With only a projected 3% growth over the 10 years (roughly 910 new jobs created per year) compared to 15,000 new grads each year, something has to give way.

There's no way that 3% is accurate. Using those numbers, you're telling me that 94% of new graduates are unemployed?

 

[Dalteparin]

What does MTM stand for?

Medication Therapy Management. Again, search the forums; this has been discussed a lot.


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[PharmtoCS]

There's no way that 3% is accurate. Using those numbers, you're telling me that 94% of new graduates are unemployed?

When you count those who retire or are displaced by new grads, the figure might come out closer to 50%. A lot of new grads are also underemployed by not getting full time hours.


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[skar4]

Definitely a saturated market. My area has historically been short pharmacists, but over the last few years that is no longer the case. The new grads hired this summer were originally offered a contract for 32 hours per week, but that has since been rescinded. There is no guarantee of any hours at all- one grad got 2 shifts in the last 2 weeks, so yes, technically they all have jobs, but in reality they don't. When I hear the amounts of loans (200,000-300,00) some of them have, I have no idea how they're going to make it with no hours guaranteed. And rumor has it there will be no new hires next May- something unheard of in the past.

 

[Humble Sloth]

Definitely a saturated market. My area has historically been short pharmacists, but over the last few years that is no longer the case. The new grads hired this summer were originally offered a contract for 32 hours per week, but that has since been rescinded. There is no guarantee of any hours at all- one grad got 2 shifts in the last 2 weeks, so yes, technically they all have jobs, but in reality they don't. When I hear the amounts of loans (200,000-300,00) some of them have, I have no idea how they're going to make it with no hours guaranteed. And rumor has it there will be no new hires next May- something unheard of in the past.

I've heard of a popular school in cali that only 10% of new grads got FT positions within 6 months of graduating. The rest are unemployed or getting 5-15 hours a week PRN/float. Even small towns are getting saturated now.

if you are doing pharmd DO NOT do it for the money or an expectation of 40 hours a week. Do it because you don't mind making 25-50k a year and living at home with your parents while helping people.

 

[ldiot]

When you can't get hired at CVS (the worst employer with the highest turnover) you know there is saturation...

 

[Jordan95]

I've made the indefinite decision to not pursue pharmacy any more; it's not worth the time and energy to not be guaranteed a job upon graduation.

 

[Humble Sloth]

I've made the indefinite decision to not pursue pharmacy any more; it's not worth the time and energy to not be guaranteed a job upon graduation.

Thank god you made the right choice early enough in your career. To be fair getting into pharmacy school and 'earning' a pharmD degree does not really take much effort or "time and energy". Pharmacy school is a complete joke.

 

[Jordan95]

Thank god you made the right choice early enough in your career. To be fair getting into pharmacy school and 'earning' a pharmD degree does not really take much effort or "time and energy". Pharmacy school is a complete joke.

You're probably right. Which is most likely why it's saturated. Ever hear the quote "If it was easy everyone would do it?" well, I think everyone did it!


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[Humble Sloth]

You're probably right. Which is most likely why it's saturated. Ever hear the quote "If it was easy everyone would do it?" well, I think everyone did it!


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Not quite everyone but a ton of people and even more people are doing it.

Are you a loser with a four year degree and too lazy to go to PA or Med school? apply to pharmacy school!!!

 

[RxRunner]

I would really like to hear from students that attend the job fairs at their colleges this year that are graduating in 2017, I feel like someone who is a 4th year now searching for a job could give the best perspective.

 

[UGAZ]

it is extremely find jobs now, even you have experiences. Don't do pharmacy.

 

[Humble Sloth]

I would really like to hear from students that attend the job fairs at their colleges this year that are graduating in 2017, I feel like someone who is a 4th year now searching for a job could give the best perspective.

about 40% of new grads are getting offers for floating positions. the rest are going to med school, going to PA school or doing residency