pharmacy vs. medicine

Started by cimdy
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
C

cimdy

Full Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Hi,greetings:
Could anyone tell me what's the future career difference between medicine and pharmacy, i.e., what a phamacist is supposed to do and what a graduate of medicine school is expected to do in their job posts respectively?
I am a first year student and had never attent any job planning program; thus I don't know exactly what are expected in these fields of studies. Could you give me some advice for my career choice?
I want the higher-paid and more awarding job, regardless what it takes to pursuit it.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
:idea:😎🙄😛😡Hi,greetings:
Could anyone tell me what's the future career difference between medicine and pharmacy, i.e., what a phamacist is supposed to do and what a graduate of medicine school is expected to do in their job posts respectively?
I am a first year student and had never attent any job planning program; thus I don't know exactly what are expected in these fields of studies. Could you give me some advice for my career choice?
According to a member of medicine blog, pharmacy is easier but more tedius, is that true?
user_online.gif
progress.gif
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
While Pharmacists count pills, that is not all they do. Although retail pharmacists do seem to only count pills. Their jobs are significant as they help ensure that people are taking their medication correctly.
Retail pharmacists are known as "pill counters" but if you ever volunteer in a pharmacy, you will see that they do in fact perform other tasks.

In addition, pharmacy is an advancing profession. Apart from retail pharmacy, you can pursue a career in hospital pharmacy, pedeatric pharmacy, pharmacogenomics, geriatric pharmacy, phsycopharmacy etc. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS U CAN DO WITH A PHARM D!

Before I even thought about pharmacy, I wanted to be a Peadiatrician. However, through my volunteer experience, i realized that I cannot stand the sight of blood and I could not perform sugerys on humans. SO then i decided to research pharmacy. Go online and check out the numerous possibilities. Search Pharmacist Job Opportunities. You would be amazed.

A doctor performs physical health assessments and conducts surgerys etc. A pharmacist gets to assist in health maintanence.

Hope this is helpful to you.
 
Really the best way to find out about a profession is to get some experience in it. Both fields have a wide array of practices you can go into, including not having to count pills or touching strange people. A field is only tedious for the person who doesn't enjoy it.
 
i don't think sarcasm has come of well here...hahaha

and on that note, i look forward to a bright and glorious career counting pills for 40 years!!
 
confettiflyer said:
i don't think sarcasm has come of well here...hahaha

and on that note, i look forward to a bright and glorious career counting pills for 40 years!!
Click to expand...

I knew stevey was being sarcastic, I just didn't want the OP to think so. All those pre-meds giving out crappy and wrong advice on pharmacy. Can't we all just get along? lol
 
I guess some of the work as pharmacist is tedious, but the field itself is growing a lot and there are so many new drugs and interactions. I think medicine is the same, since they work in their own speciality at some point in their career they will have seen almost everything (with the few rare exceptions of a brand new disease). I just think that eventually any work you do, nurse, dentist, doctor, pharmacy etc will become tedious after 10+ years. What early on becomes exciting (getting called at night for some emergency) can become very annoying (waking up in the middle of the night to perform somethign you've already done 20 times). While pharmacists will not be called to do irregular hours in my mind it kinda averages out (early on its great, but eventually when your 40+ years old it's going to become a pain).

So do what you are most interested in, because if you like what you do then even if it's the same thing over and over again it doesn't become to the point of being completely boring and dreadful.
 
Depends on what kind of doctor and how successful you are as a pharmacist. Some family practice doctors make 120K, and I personally know a pharmacist that makes about 2 mil. but he is the exception. Generally, though, Medical doctors make more. but they also go through alot mroe schooling and hard times too
 
Quote:
hisincognito:are all premeds like this?
Rep:
Salary is one of the realistic factors that influence one's job choice, isn't it? Besides, considering a problem financially doesn't imply selfishness. Of course, I am also aiming at serving my community and helping people live longer and healthier. Doing consciencious job and receive what one deserves does no harm, right?
Excuse me, can you swear that your devotion to medicine doesn't involve future financial rewards elements? If so, why don't you simply volenteer and be an altruist?
 
Your question is too broad. It depends on interest. Both can be good and fruitful careers, but they are also very different paths. My recommendation is to shadow a physician and/or a pharmacist and ask them your questions.

The MCAT forum isn't the most appropriate forum for your question. Since you already have a thread about your interest in pharmacy going on in the pre-pharm forum, I'm going to move this to pre-allo. Keep in mind that you will probably get a point of view biased toward medicine there.
 
Merged pre-pharm and pre-med threads. Understanding you'd like the opinion of both professions I left a link to this thread in pre-allo. Though it appears both agree it depends on what you're looking for given the depth and breadth of opportunities available in both pharmacy and medicine.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
DavisAggie said:
While Pharmacists count pills, that is not all they do. Although retail pharmacists do seem to only count pills. Their jobs are significant as they help ensure that people are taking their medication correctly.
Retail pharmacists are known as "pill counters" but if you ever volunteer in a pharmacy, you will see that they do in fact perform other tasks.

In addition, pharmacy is an advancing profession. Apart from retail pharmacy, you can pursue a career in hospital pharmacy, pedeatric pharmacy, pharmacogenomics, geriatric pharmacy, phsycopharmacy etc. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS U CAN DO WITH A PHARM D!
Click to expand...

Well said! GO PHARMACY!!👍
 
cimdy said:
:idea:😎🙄😛😡Hi,greetings:
Could anyone tell me what's the future career difference between medicine and pharmacy, i.e., what a phamacist is supposed to do and what a graduate of medicine school is expected to do in their job posts respectively?
I am a first year student and had never attent any job planning program; thus I don't know exactly what are expected in these fields of studies. Could you give me some advice for my career choice?
According to a member of medicine blog, pharmacy is easier but more tedius, is that true?
user_online.gif
progress.gif
Click to expand...


Instead of asking us to spoonfeed these answers to you, I think it would do you a lot of good to go do career exploration of your own. I would suggest going to volunteer at a hospital and a pharmacy to see what both careers involve. Both are different and there are definitely pros and cons to both. Financial considerations are important, but both professions will allow you to live modestly. If you want to make lots of money, go into business. Medical school and pharmacy school are NOT for the faint of heart, and it is NOT for someone who picks it just because they decided one day they'd pursue it. I suggest you take a good hard look at both of them and see if it's really for you, because when you're about three weeks into your first year at pharmacy school or med school, you'll start questioning yourself when you have 3 exams per week and hours of studying to do. It's definitely not easy for both routes.

Both fields (medicine and pharmacy) are rapidly changing. As professional careers, you will need to think and act like a professional to succeed as one. You don't want to go through 4 years of schooling (+ residencies + specializations) only to find out you don't want to be what you studied to be. You will be doing your future patients a disservice. Money is attractive, but there are many jobs which pay quite well and require less brainpower (and you can still help the community). I mean, heck, a dockmaster at the Los Angeles Port makes nearly $90,000 a year and they don't have to go to school for that. You can be a truck driver and make $55,000 net income (after travel expenses). They're helping the community too...how else would you get your imported cars? Start up a successful tutoring service that charges $50-100 an hour and you can make as much as any professional with less work and more flexibility.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
  • Locked
Pharmacy vs Podiatry?
Replies
5
Views
4K
gyngyn
gyngyn
Salem Dany
I need help deciding between pharmacy schools
Replies
2
Views
2K
projektreverb
P
Mr.Smile12
Webinar: Funding your Pharmacy Education (AACP)
Replies
0
Views
2K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
[AACP] Pharmacy School Interest Rises as Applications Jump 6%
Replies
1
Views
1K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
[AJPE] Pre-Pharmacy Institution (also) Matters
Replies
0
Views
4K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12