Pre-Med Advice

[PA_dud3]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Good Evening, everyone,

I posted a thread a few days ago about my career path goals. I am currently on track to become a pharmacist in 6 or so years (current freshman in 2+4 program). I am very conflicted as to whether this is something I want to do or not. I would greatly appreciate your advice, as I have consulted the Pharmacy forums but I want to get advice from both parties.

I am currently a Pharmacy Tech and have been for over a year. I very much enjoy it, and think I would enjoy doing it in the future as a Pharmacist. However, lately I've been very troubled about my future satisfaction/regrets I may have. I have some experience in medicine, I shadowed a nephrologist frequently and worked for 40 hours as a CNA Student. I very much enjoyed spending time with the physician and I admire him greatly. The Clinical experience as a CNA, however, was very offputting. I am very anti-filth (but I am not afraid of touching people or interacting with them, just feces gets me turned away, that's really it, nevertheless I did what I had to do) plus my instructors (nurses) were very rude and unhelpful. This left me to pursue pharmacy.

I just keep thinking about what it would be like if I pursued medicine. I think about the time being a medical student and a resident and eventually being a physician and I just can't help but think I would enjoy it all, despite how hard and long the hours may be. I just can't stand undergrad. The work is not hard, it's just the people I have to live with and go to class with are so obnoxious. All they care about is partying, drinking, and drugs and I just want to study and go to class, etc. That's one aspect of pharmacy that attracts me is the length of time required to practice. I also feel like my history as a CPhT may make me unattractive to med schools.

I know none of you can say for certain what I will like better, but I just thought I would consult you all for advice. I have considered changing my major to Pre Med Chemistry or Pre Med History. I am going to call the physician I shadowed and discuss it with him, as well, as he was very helpful. If I need to provide any more background, please let me know. I am just really in a difficult place trying to figure this out and not feel like I missed out 10 years down the road.

Thank you all for any advice or help you can provide.

 

[947830]

Hello!

I know how you feel as I have been in similar situations. To be concise, medicine is a difficult path, and you should not do it unless you are 100% committed. First, gather some opinions and information about medicine, to see if that's the environment you like. If you feel like medicine is your calling, don't be afraid! Another caution, don't get caught up in the "what if" and the regrets, as it will quickly consume you and give you negative energy. Take a deep breath and whatever you decide, know that you have picked it with confidence, and this is what you will do.

Hope this helps! Hang in there.

 

[deleted887473]

Shadow some more doctors, especially primary care physicians, to get a better feeling of what a doctor’s day is like. Volunteer at hospitals to get a sense of how stuff works in that environment. Do some nonclinical volunteering to see if you like service to people different from you.

 

[Instatewaiter]

I think it would be unfulfilling to be an outpatient pharmacist where you are basically a pill counter.

Inpatient pharmacy however is not like that at all. Look into what that entails. I have a pharmacist who rounds with me everyday and that person is knowlegable and very helpful for me and the patients.

Compare that to medicine and see where you lie .Clincial inaptient pharmacy could be a cool gig for people who might be drawn to medicine.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

If you have to think about applying to med school ,dont do it. It is a very strenuous path and life. It's either burning inside you or it isn't. If you decide to apply, make sure you are all in.

 

[curbsideconsult]

I am very anti-filth

just feces gets me turned away

I just can't help but think I would enjoy it all

No, you would not enjoy it all if you're anti-filth. Your finger will be inside many a rectum during your clinical years. And nurses don't get nicer just because you're a med student. They get nicer when you piss them off less and they start to like you more.

partying, drinking, and drugs and I just want to study and go to class, etc

Not sure how they divide your school up between the pharm kids and the pre-med/health kids, but it sounds like you'll be trading in one hell for another if you switch. If you haven't heard already, pre-med kids are the worst. Think of the most awful human being you've met in real life and multiply that by at least a thousand still-pubescent-yet-legally-allowed-to-vote people and you've got premeds. Med school is a little better, but not by much.

It sounds like you have a serious case of the grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side-itis. You have to think deeply about why you want to pursue medicine. Do you genuinely like patient interaction? If you don't, do you at least like diagnosis? What is it that's drawing you to medicine? If you think it's going to be intellectual pursuit, you should veer off the medicine course and head more in the direction of a PhD.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Quote removed per Author Request.
-Moderator.

Dude...Disagree with me ....fine.No problem. It's not an ignorant answer. I'm a physician, my wife is a physician, and so is my son. That was an informed response from my life experience. I've lived it. If you are in this and it's just a job to you, you have made a huge mistake. Just sayin. Good luck and best wishes

 

[gyngyn]

This thread can be followed here: Feeling Kinda Down, Need Advice