More input please

[MonikaPharmD2B]

I am a P-1 so I am not very well informed et about all the opportunities in the future. My questions are:
Do I get paid while doing residency? (If so, how much?)
DO I have to pay tuition?
WHy is residency a good thing?
If I want to work in the critical care pharmacy, do I need to have residency in that area?

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[Moxxie]

I am a P-1 so I am not very well informed et about all the opportunities in the future. My questions are:
Do I get paid while doing residency? (If so, how much?)
DO I have to pay tuition?
WHy is residency a good thing?
If I want to work in the critical care pharmacy, do I need to have residency in that area?

Most (if not all) residencies are paid. The salary is generally in the 35-40K range, but I have heard of some residency salaries that were closer to 60K.

A residency is an extension of your pharmacy education, but it's also a job - so no, you don't have to pay tuition.

As to whether or not a residency is a good thing, it really depends on who you are and what you want to do. If all you want to do is retail, then a residency really isn't necessary. However, It isn't a bad thing (unless you count the lower salary for the year(s) that you're in residency). More and more clinical positions in hospitals are requiring residencies if you're a new grad. As to whether or not a critical care pharmacy would require a residency - I'm not sure, but most likely - it really requires extra training to be able to confidently dose critical patients and make good, fast, decisions.

One last thing, and I don't mean to be snarky here, but I'm surprised that you haven't heard more about residencies already. I'm also a P1, and our professors started talking about residencies on the first day of orientation. We have already had at least 3 lectures on the benefits of residency, even though we just started our 5th week of classes.

Doing a residency is definitely not for everyone, but at this point I don't know how doing one could hurt you in the long run. Everyone that I've talked to that has done a residency, even if they are doing retail, has said that they are a better, more confident pharmacist because of the experience.

 

[dgroulx]

I am a P-1 so I am not very well informed et about all the opportunities in the future. My questions are:
Do I get paid while doing residency? (If so, how much?)
DO I have to pay tuition?
WHy is residency a good thing?
If I want to work in the critical care pharmacy, do I need to have residency in that area?

Critical care will most likely involve a 2 year residency. Your first residency is general, then the second one is for specialization. In Florida, they pay anywhere from 30-35k per year for 80 hours per week (so I'm told).

Residencies are required for all hospital clinical positions around here. Although, I asked if I could just move up from a staff position after working staff for a couple of years and I was told that I could apply. They didn't say that they wouldn't hire me.

 

[patmcd]

Critical care will most likely involve a 2 year residency. Your first residency is general, then the second one is for specialization.

This has already happened. Starting this year I believe PGY2 programs have to require having done a PGY1 program. No more going straight to a specialty. Also, PGY2 programs are now on the matching system like PGY1 programs.

 

[AnonFaculty]

As a new faculty member who has completed two fellowships over FIVE years, I can tell you a few things.

1) It is well worth the difference in pay
2) Not completing post-doctoral training will leave pharmacists UNDERPREPARED and with fewer skill sets as the profession evolves
3) You are more beneficial to a retail pharmacy with residency training
3A)Retail will not always be what it is now.
4) The profession is getting more competitive and training will evolve into a physician like structure where one (and maybe two) year(s) of residency will be required for licensure. Fellowship training will be required for specialists.
5) Take a good look at the program and where the graduates have gone after the residency. That is a good barometer of your success
6) The amount of time you put into a residency is about equal to what you will get out of it. Remember GARBAGE IN=GARBAGE OUT

 

[AnonFaculty]

Critical care will most likely involve a 2 year residency. Your first residency is general, then the second one is for specialization. In Florida, they pay anywhere from 30-35k per year for 80 hours per week (so I'm told).

Residencies are required for all hospital clinical positions around here. Although, I asked if I could just move up from a staff position after working staff for a couple of years and I was told that I could apply. They didn't say that they wouldn't hire me.

Yes, but in a few years things will change and once everyone has residency training you will find your self behind the 8-ball. Make the investment in your career. It is worth it.

 

[sdn1977]

Critical care will most likely involve a 2 year residency. Your first residency is general, then the second one is for specialization. In Florida, they pay anywhere from 30-35k per year for 80 hours per week (so I'm told).

Residencies are required for all hospital clinical positions around here. Although, I asked if I could just move up from a staff position after working staff for a couple of years and I was told that I could apply. They didn't say that they wouldn't hire me.

Dana, this is an old post.....so I don't know what you've decided since you're so close to finishing.

Yeah...they could hire you & you might move up. I was & did - 25 years ago...so my experience counts for a lot.

But...coming out as young as you are, you'll hit a ceiling where, altho, you might be able to make the clinical decisions, you won't have the experience to make the clinical decision within the economics of your insitution. You could have a great mentor, but that won't count for much on your resume.

Its becoming a more and more complicated structure & the "clinically" oriented pharmacists are becoming more involved within their wider hospital committees & the colleagues who also have a stake. So, when the anesthesia dept wants a new anesthetic....they need to have someone who will consider cost/usage, bundling agreements, other areas of use - ER, urgent care, PACU, ICU, same day surg, etc.....

 

[thaliagoo]

Yes, but in a few years things will change and once everyone has residency training you will find your self behind the 8-ball. Make the investment in your career. It is worth it.

My preceptor is a consultant pharmacist who did not complete a residency (graduated in 2002). He is very smart, full of knowledge and doesn't strike at all as being unprepared. I know of students who got clinical positions right out of school without residencies (although the area may be less competitive).

Taking a residency is an individual decision, you may be more comfortable with a residency than working full time right out of school. In a job, a residency is comparable to 3 years work experience so it may be worth it. However, don't let anyone tell you that you need one.