PharmD job outlook

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Pre-Pharm2016

Pre-Pharm2016

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Hi everyone!
I am about to apply for the 2014-2015 cycle and was wondering about the job outlook for new grads these days??? Is it too hard to find a job as a new pharmacist? Also, has anyone or does anyone know of someone that's gotten into the program without any pharmacy experience and without shadowing any pharmacists? I have tried to shadow and have applied to many pharmacies but they all require a tech license and even to shadow you must have insurance to be inside the pharmacy. How are we supposed to have experience if they don't let us??? Any responses will be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!!!
 
I did that already! And what I do or don't do is none of your business! I will ask all the questions I want so stop giving useless replies! Go study and learn some manners!!! You will be an awful pharmacist! Don't know how you got accepted cause you don't have interpersonal skills at all!!!
 
Pre-Pharm2016 said:
I did that already! And what I do or don't do is none of your business! I will ask all the questions I want so stop giving useless replies! Go study and learn some manners!!! You will be an awful pharmacist! Don't know how you got accepted cause you don't have interpersonal skills at all!!!
Click to expand...

A1nDL0w.gif
 
Pre-Pharm2016 said:
I did that already! And what I do or don't do is none of your business! I will ask all the questions I want so stop giving useless replies! Go study and learn some manners!!! You will be an awful pharmacist! Don't know how you got accepted cause you don't have interpersonal skills at all!!!
Click to expand...
While your interpersonal skills seem to be shining at the moment. 🙂
If you are asking for help, be gracious. If you think someone is detracting or unhelpful, attacking them is not going to make anyone want to answer your questions.
 
I did not post my question to attack anyone. I just came here for help and got attacked. I thought this forum was supposed to help out future and current pharm students but I was wrong. Never mind!!!
 
Someone will go crazy if he/she works in retail in the future lol... If you get this "mad" over something so simple, things wont look pretty for you. All Jibby was trying to say is that threads like this are all over the place, and it takes less than 30 seconds to find them. But still... I will answer your questions. From what people are saying in this forums, big cities are saturated, but you can still find a job with connections. If you know no one and barely did anything to meet people during pharmacy school, you will have a hard time finding a decent job in a decent place. That simple. Hope you calm down and have a nice day! 🙂
 
 
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Thanks much! And no I won't go crazy!!! Lol is just that I have always wanted to do pharmacy but nobody wants to give pre-pharms a chance to volunteer, at least not where I live. And the job outlook down here is awful!!! So yes big stress cause don't want to end up with a huge debt and no job after graduating!
Thanks for the links, they were really helpful!
 
Pre-Pharm2016 said:
Thanks much! And no I won't go crazy!!! Lol is just that I have always wanted to do pharmacy but nobody wants to give pre-pharms a chance to volunteer, at least not where I live. And the job outlook down here is awful!!! So yes big stress cause don't want to end up with a huge debt and no job after graduating!
Thanks for the links, they were really helpful!
Click to expand...
You are welcome. Good luck!
 
Pre-Pharm2016 said:
Hi everyone!
I am about to apply for the 2014-2015 cycle and was wondering about the job outlook for new grads these days??? Is it too hard to find a job as a new pharmacist? Also, has anyone or does anyone know of someone that's gotten into the program without any pharmacy experience and without shadowing any pharmacists? I have tried to shadow and have applied to many pharmacies but they all require a tech license and even to shadow you must have insurance to be inside the pharmacy. How are we supposed to have experience if they don't let us??? Any responses will be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!!!
Click to expand...

I was in your shoes before. And I could tell you that you must keep pushing on and being persistent until you get it.

My pharmacy experience was old and I wanted to have new pharmacy volunteer / shadowing experience (V/Se). The place I was living was flooding with students. Almost every pharmacy I went to ask for a V/Se said no. I guess they had more than enough supply and just did not want to take on more. But some did not want to be candid and tell you the truth. So they would invent backward / ******ed excuses like you must be registered with BOP and have a tech license and / or have malpractice insurance to just shadow a pharmacist. Yup, it is really ******ed because the registration / tech license application would ask you to fill in the info of the pharmacy where you will be working, i.e. you just cannot register with the BOP and get your pharm tech license until you are already in a pharmacy.

When I heard all that, I knew immediately that was all BS and I politely thanked for their time to hear me out and went on to look for other pharmacies. At the end, a pharmacist took me in and let me shadow her for a month then opened other doors for me and also help me to registered with the BOP and get my tech license. This whole thing took me almost 3 months before I met that one pharmacist.

But there are many pharmacy schools which do not care if you have already had a pharmacy shadowing / volunteering experience. (You need to check their admission requirements in details by checking on the PharmCAS and the schools' websites as well as calling to to talk to some advisers at the schools.) You only need to articulate well by using your life experience on your essay and convince the adcoms in your pharmacy interviews why you choose to pursue pharmacy. The most important and difficult parts are you getting good GPA + PCAT + LORs. (Any monkey can be a pharmacy tech... I'm kidding of course 🙂 )
 
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oldstock said:
I was in your shoes before. And I could tell you that you must keep pushing on and being persistent until you get it.

My pharmacy experience was old and I wanted to have new pharmacy volunteer / shadowing experience (V/Se). The place I was living was flooding with students. Almost every pharmacy I went to ask for a V/Se said no. I guess they had more than enough supply and just did not want to take on more. But some did not want to be candid and tell you the truth. So they would invent backward / ******ed excuses like you must be registered with BOP and have a tech license and / or have malpractice insurance to just shadow a pharmacist. Yup, it is really ******ed because the registration / tech license application would ask you to fill in the info of the pharmacy where you will be working, i.e. you just cannot register with the BOP and get your pharm tech license until you are already in a pharmacy.

When I heard all that, I knew immediately that was all BS and I politely thanked for their time to hear me out and went on to look for other pharmacies. At the end, a pharmacist took me in and let me shadow her for a month then opened other doors for me and also help me to registered with the BOP and get my tech license. This whole thing took me almost 3 months before I met that one pharmacist.

But there are many pharmacy schools which do not care if you have already had a pharmacy shadowing / volunteering experience. (You need to check their admission requirements in details by checking on the PharmCAS and the schools' websites as well as calling to to talk to some advisers at the schools.) You only need to articulate well by using your life experience on your essay and convince the adcoms in your pharmacy interviews why you choose to pursue pharmacy. The most important and difficult parts are you getting good GPA + PCAT + LORs. (Any monkey can be a pharmacy tech... I'm kidding of course 🙂 )
Click to expand...

I believe that depends on the state (though they should've have just told you the truth). I got a tech license well before I worked in a pharmacy (like a year). My state also has tech trainee licenses which basically allow you in a pharmacy before you get your real license (I thought this was in all states, but maybe not). You just pay for the license and get a background check and stuff.
 
Kelp103 said:
I believe that depends on the state (though they should've have just told you the truth). I got a tech license well before I worked in a pharmacy (like a year). My state also has tech trainee licenses which basically allow you in a pharmacy before you get your real license (I thought this was in all states, but maybe not). You just pay for the license and get a background check and stuff.
Click to expand...

I think you are right that it depends on the state.
 
oldstock said:
I was in your shoes before. And I could tell you that you must keep pushing on and being persistent until you get it.

My pharmacy experience was old and I wanted to have new pharmacy volunteer / shadowing experience (V/Se). The place I was living was flooding with students. Almost every pharmacy I went to ask for a V/Se said no. I guess they had more than enough supply and just did not want to take on more. But some did not want to be candid and tell you the truth. So they would invent backward / ******ed excuses like you must be registered with BOP and have a tech license and / or have malpractice insurance to just shadow a pharmacist. Yup, it is really ******ed because the registration / tech license application would ask you to fill in the info of the pharmacy where you will be working, i.e. you just cannot register with the BOP and get your pharm tech license until you are already in a pharmacy.

When I heard all that, I knew immediately that was all BS and I politely thanked for their time to hear me out and went on to look for other pharmacies. At the end, a pharmacist took me in and let me shadow her for a month then opened other doors for me and also help me to registered with the BOP and get my tech license. This whole thing took me almost 3 months before I met that one pharmacist.

But there are many pharmacy schools which do not care if you have already had a pharmacy shadowing / volunteering experience. (You need to check their admission requirements in details by checking on the PharmCAS and the schools' websites as well as calling to to talk to some advisers at the schools.) You only need to articulate well by using your life experience on your essay and convince the adcoms in your pharmacy interviews why you choose to pursue pharmacy. The most important and difficult parts are you getting good GPA + PCAT + LORs. (Any monkey can be a pharmacy tech... I'm kidding of course 🙂 )
Click to expand...


Thanks so much for the info, that's what I thought that they just give you BS to keep you away from their pharmacies. I will keep knocking on doors, hopefully someone will help out!
 
Pre-Pharm2016 said:
Thanks so much for the info, that's what I thought that they just give you BS to keep you away from their pharmacies. I will keep knocking on doors, hopefully someone will help out!
Click to expand...

yup, keep going sis and you will get it !! GL 🙂
 
Pre-Pharm2016 said:
I did that already! And what I do or don't do is none of your business! I will ask all the questions I want so stop giving useless replies! Go study and learn some manners!!! You will be an awful pharmacist! Don't know how you got accepted cause you don't have interpersonal skills at all!!!
Click to expand...
Wow, is anyone else finding the irony here quite comical? Trust me honey when I say that I have the BEST interpersonal skills.

I will agree and say my first post was not helpful; however my second post was very helpful. You don't think so??
 
Pre-Pharm2016 said:
I did that already! And what I do or don't do is none of your business! I will ask all the questions I want so stop giving useless replies! Go study and learn some manners!!! You will be an awful pharmacist! Don't know how you got accepted cause you don't have interpersonal skills at all!!!
Click to expand...

Just don't fly off the handle like that during your interview.
 
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Pre-Pharm2016 said:
Thanks much! You have made my day! I will get the Pharm Tech certificate...that way I can get some experience as well!
Click to expand...

Why would you pursue a dying field where prospects are dim? If you still have time, run away and do something else with your life. I wish I had found this site as a freshman or sophomore. I would have switched to pre-med and had a future. Now I feel hopeless and depressed even though pharmacy school has not even started yet. I give people honest advice even if it is not politically correct.
 
As with most jobs, connections means everything, try to establish them by working as a pharmacy technician or in the field even during pharmacy school. The more people you know in the field before the actual job hunting, the better your odds will be after graduation.
 
HobbitJane said:
Why would you pursue a dying field where prospects are dim? If you still have time, run away and do something else with your life. I wish I had found this site as a freshman or sophomore. I would have switched to pre-med and had a future. Now I feel hopeless and depressed even though pharmacy school has not even started yet. I give people honest advice even if it is not politically correct.
Click to expand...
With all due respect, I think you are over generalizing by referring the field as a dying field. As long as patients are there, medicines will be in demand. Forgive me for the freedom I take to make a comment: you sound like you are standing at the edge of a cliff and saying that you have to jump because you have no other choice. It is your life and you have to decide what you want instead of forcing yourself into something you feel uncomfortable and insecure. I think it would be worthwhile to pursue what you really like. In my opinion, if med school is what you feel secure, you should go for it because if you ignore your real desire and settle for something less, you will regret about it later on in your life.
 
HobbitJane said:
Why would you pursue a dying field where prospects are dim? If you still have time, run away and do something else with your life. I wish I had found this site as a freshman or sophomore. I would have switched to pre-med and had a future. Now I feel hopeless and depressed even though pharmacy school has not even started yet. I give people honest advice even if it is not politically correct.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice! 🙂 I really appreciate it and know what you mean! However, no other career comes to mind that I would like to pursue...why don't you apply for another professional school instead? I think at this point most professions and careers are dying if you are referring to "hunting for a job" after graduation!!! I have done some research lately and talked to lots of people, all of them have told me more or less the same thing, that you will have a better chance of finding a job if you make connections prior to graduation!
 
nxq875 said:
As with most jobs, connections means everything, try to establish them by working as a pharmacy technician or in the field even during pharmacy school. The more people you know in the field before the actual job hunting, the better your odds will be after graduation.
Click to expand...

You're right! Thanks! 🙂
 
ImageUploadedBySDN Mobile1401223735.709970.jpg


I used this book attached to study for my Pharmacy Tech test. It gets straight to the point & provides 4 practice exams.

Off the top of my head--
You need to know & memorize:
1) The regulatory agencies
2) All the laws listed
3) Abbreviations
4) Sig codes
5) Reference books
6) What a tech can & can't do
7) Flow hood technique
8) All the math in the book [Memorize Roman numerals, the measurement conversions, metric system, insulin units, grains]
9) Requirements for labels, prescription pads, what each part of the NDC stands for
10) Controlled substance schedules & how to calculate a DEA.

I wouldn't focus on memorizing ALL the drugs. I would study the controlled substances [especially C2s]. I would really know the drugs that are constantly repeated in the practice exams.
I didn't memorize all the drugs & I passed, only bc I knew everything else. You will learn the drug names [brand/generic], drug classes, and what they are generally used for with job experience.

The test is graded based on different content [some materials weigh more than others].

Blueprint & Grading Reference :
http://ptcb.org/docs/get-certified/new_ptce_blueprint.pdf?sfvrsn=6


To schedule the exam:
Fill out an application and schedule the exam at PTCB.org. Test costs $129 so make sure you are prepared.

After you pass & get your PTCB certification, you have to submit another application with the state board of pharmacy. There is a fee involved & nowadays they do some fingerprinting.

Good luck to you!!! 🙂
 
houston068 said:
View attachment 181645

I used this book attached to study for my Pharmacy Tech test. It gets straight to the point & provides 4 practice exams.

Off the top of my head--
You need to know & memorize:
1) The regulatory agencies
2) All the laws listed
3) Abbreviations
4) Sig codes
5) Reference books
6) What a tech can & can't do
7) Flow hood technique
8) All the math in the book [Memorize Roman numerals, the measurement conversions, metric system, insulin units, grains]
9) Requirements for labels, prescription pads, what each part of the NDC stands for
10) Controlled substance schedules & how to calculate a DEA.

I wouldn't focus on memorizing ALL the drugs. I would study the controlled substances [especially C2s]. I would really know the drugs that are constantly repeated in the practice exams.
I didn't memorize all the drugs & I passed, only bc I knew everything else. You will learn the drug names [brand/generic], drug classes, and what they are generally used for with job experience.

The test is graded based on different content [some materials weigh more than others].

Blueprint & Grading Reference :
http://ptcb.org/docs/get-certified/new_ptce_blueprint.pdf?sfvrsn=6


To schedule the exam:
Fill out an application and schedule the exam at PTCB.org. Test costs $129 so make sure you are prepared.

After you pass & get your PTCB certification, you have to submit another application with the state board of pharmacy. There is a fee involved & nowadays they do some fingerprinting.

Good luck to you!!! 🙂
Click to expand...

Thank you so much! 🙂 do you know if I would need to complete a pharmacy tech program at a community college before taking the test? Because some of my friends did a 2 yr pharm tech program prior to taking the test!!!
 
Np! I don't think the course is a requirement! At least not in Texas, I would check your state laws just to be 100% sure. I studied the material on my own and passed the test with flying colors. It saved me time & money. Some of my coworkers took the course and they tell me it was a waste of money. I would just take the pre-reqs for pharmacy school in the meantime.

I did read that the course will be a mandatory requirement by 2020. Most likely you won't be a tech anymore, but a Pharmacist by then. But if you were previously certified & didn't take the course -- you will be "grandfathered" into whatever changes they are making. 🙂
 
Thanks a lot for the info!!! I had to open up a new account cause I was banned (don't know why) from the forum, but that's fine!
 
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FUSDNN said:
Thanks a lot for the info!!! I had to open up a new account cause I was banned (don't know why) from the forum, but that's fine!
Click to expand...

yeah I was surprised you got banned. PM the moderators and ask them why.
 
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