pharmacy: a good decision?

[bambo]

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hey guys, I'm kinda new here and looks like i need some advice.
I actually wanted to opt for Mbbs but the hell of a competition in Medical institutes made me out for no other option but Pharmacy. I'm really confused as to how I can really make this field beneficial for myself. I'm now enrolled in a university offering the pharm d course.
So, how do I take it from here (to be a pharmacist) ?

 

[PharmLife4Me]

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[bambo]

Ok, first off... you are pursuing pharmacy for the wrong reasons. I would love for you to say this to the admissions committee whenever they ask you "Why Pharmacy?" My advice is to research the field, volunteer, do something advantageous instead of just "settling". You obviously know nothing of the field and need to do your homework.

Oh, and welcome.[/quote]
Actually, I have been searching quite a bit now about the field (still am).... I'm just a bit confused

 

[BlknOrange]

Pharmacy is one of those careers that you want to learn by doing. I suggest volunteering at a pharmacy or working as a tech and see if you like the type of work first. Also, you can observe what the pharmacist does. After that, you can make your decision on whether it is right for you.

 

[dosepak]

Before deciding on doing pharmacy, I suggest for you to obtain some pharmacy experience, particularly in a retail setting. You can work as a tech and see if you like the pharmacy environment. That's what I did prior to pharmacy school. It sure helped me to realize that being a pharmacist can be both a positive and a negative. However, due to a saturation, many of the pharmacists I know have to float (i.e. work at more than 1 store) or take a pay cut.

 

[Pharm3110]

hey guys, I'm kinda new here and looks like i need some advice.
I actually wanted to opt for Mbbs but the hell of a competition in Medical institutes made me out for no other option but Pharmacy. I'm really confused as to how I can really make this field beneficial for myself. I'm now enrolled in a university offering the pharm d course.
So, how do I take it from here (to be a pharmacist) ?

One other easier way to get some exposure to pharmacy is to shadow a pharmacist for a couple of hours to see what they do on a daily basis. For retail, you may have to go to independent pharmacies to ask because most chain stores won't take you in for liability issues (I tried and failed). I also shadowed compounding pharmacies and nuclear pharmacies and I saw a different side of pharmacy that I had not had any idea before. My tip for shadowing: Do not call or email, go to the store and ask them in person. It will be harder for them to say "no." A "no" is the worst thing you can get, so what do you have to lose? 🙂

Ultimately, you will need to know what you get yourself into. One admission director once told me: Most people who dropped out in the middle of the pharmacy program were those who couldn't keep up with it, and ignorance about the field was one of the major reasons.

Oh, pharmacy can be as competitive as medicine, both in getting into a program/residency/fellowship and getting a job. Please lose the idea of going to pharmacy because it is less competitive. You have to prepare to compete with others, no matter what career you consider.