Realistically Pharmacy vs Medicine [TIME DECISION]

[Skyforever]

I am an incoming junior, applying for pharmacy school this fall in Texas. I was really stuck to the idea of pursuing and becoming a pharmacist based on job outlooks since highschool! (2008?) I'm currently at the midpoint of my undergrad career and it is time to commit myself to either pharmacy or medicine. I never considered medicine until recently. After reading the sticky about job outlooks and considering the realistic situations of say 2017-2018; I am suddenly aware of the possibility of not being able to repay my debts ~$50k? I currently volunteer in a pharmacy at a large suburb hospital. Even one of the pharmacist approached me to herald me the ill omen; she said there was 25 applicant for 1 night shift.

To me, family doctor seems more interesting than being a retail pharmacist. I have personal reasons to want to become both; however, time isn't on my side.

Has anyone had to deal with the sacrifice of family for being a doctor spending more time in school (double) and less with family? Or choosing pharmacy so you would have more time with family?

If time wasn't an issue I would choose being a doctor honestly. What's worse is the job market for pharmacist around 2017-2018.. assuming this trend will spiral downwards, since schools can't close.

What would you do if you were me and time was an issue?
Thanks

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[mustang sally]

Realistically, time is on your side. Unless you are a non-traditional student who is going to be 50 years old or something.

If I were you, I would just take some time and explore career options. You do not have to go straight into professional school after college. The worst thing you could do is rush such a big decision, especially with school being so costly these days.

P.S. Why can't schools close?? They close all of the time. Admittedly not much in pharmacy yet but it will happen eventually.

 

[SHC1984]

Listen to this thread.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=902079

If you are a guy or an ugly to average looking chick then you need to get an MD.

 

[Rouelle]

I agree that you still have time to consider. The pre-reqs for med school and pharmacy school are pretty much the same. You could theoretically even prepare for and take both the PCAT and MCAT and see if your scores factor into your decision.

You asked about family time...that was at least part of my decision to apply to pharmacy school. I am married and will probably be starting a family soon. I hope to be out of school and with a real job in hand by the time any of my future kids are old enough to remember. Plus, I personally find drugs infinitely more interesting than medicine in general.

 

[gadlo]

The paradox of choice.

You'd think that more options would lead to better decision making and more satisfaction with the outcome. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case. You can nitpick your choices and/or feel regret about choosing one over the other forever. At some point, you will need to decide. My suggestion is to evaluate the pros and cons of both, listen to your heart, pick one and don't look back. I'll emphasize that last part-pick one and don't look back.

I know a thing or two about feeling like you don't have time. Unless you are in your 50's, you have time. I am in my early 30's and starting pharmacy school this year. I was pursuing a career in research, but the economy has trashed that idea. I was faced with the decision of continuing in a shrinking industry or jumping ship while I was still young. Obviously, I chose to jump ship because I value my sanity 🙂.

I chose pharmacy over medicine because I wanted to get a "real" job before I was 40, most doctors that I spoke to about medicine seemed unhappy, most pharmacists that I talked to about pharmacy seemed happy, the lifestyle of pharmacy seems like it would be more conducive with my personality and life goals, I can still do research (I have a PhD in pharmacology), I will hopefully have less than $100k in debt, and I love the idea of helping people through effective pharmacotherapy.

Good luck with your decision. Regardless of your choice, everything will turn out alright.

 

[Momus]

Your issue will be much bigger after you graduate with Pharm. D with no job near your family and have to relocate somewhere you don't want, then, all this being with family talk will be pointless...

Family doc probably gets paged every damn day because someone needs you... Go with a lifestyle specialty MD: optho, derm, anesthisiology, plastics, rads or even dentist... you can be anywhere you want and still have great life style and fat paycheck ~$200-400k+ Pharmacy is not the way to go nowadays...

Check this thread also, as you can see I am debating on switching also... but decided not to because it is a bit too late for me to make it break even financially... If I were you, I would choose to do MD in a heart beat
http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=94898
http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=91276

 

[SHC1984]

Your issue will be much bigger after you graduate with Pharm. D with no job near your family and have to relocate somewhere you don't want, then, all this being with family talk will be pointless...

Family doc probably got paged every damn day because someone needs you... Go with a lifestyle specialty MD: optho, derm, anesthisiology, plastics, rads or even dentist... you can be anywhere you want and still have great life style and fat paycheck ~$200-400k+ Pharmacy is not the way to go nowadays...

If we are going to list the best jobs then it's obviously Orthodontist or Radiologist. If you get to CHOOSE those two would be the best of course.

But being a general dentist isn't too shabby either...TONS of money and you only work 3 days a week.

 

[delano2000]

I am an incoming junior, applying for pharmacy school this fall in Texas. I was really stuck to the idea of pursuing and becoming a pharmacist based on job outlooks since highschool! (2008?) I'm currently at the midpoint of my undergrad career and it is time to commit myself to either pharmacy or medicine. I never considered medicine until recently. After reading the sticky about job outlooks and considering the realistic situations of say 2017-2018; I am suddenly aware of the possibility of not being able to repay my debts ~$50k? I currently volunteer in a pharmacy at a large suburb hospital. Even one of the pharmacist approached me to herald me the ill omen; she said there was 25 applicant for 1 night shift.

To me, family doctor seems more interesting than being a retail pharmacist. I have personal reasons to want to become both; however, time isn't on my side.

Has anyone had to deal with the sacrifice of family for being a doctor spending more time in school (double) and less with family? Or choosing pharmacy so you would have more time with family?

If time wasn't an issue I would choose being a doctor honestly. What's worse is the job market for pharmacist around 2017-2018.. assuming this trend will spiral downwards, since schools can't close.

What would you do if you were me and time was an issue?
Thanks

Thread moved to its new home in the Pre-Pharm forum.

 

[Skyforever]

Realistically, time is on your side. Unless you are a non-traditional student who is going to be 50 years old or something.

If I were you, I would just take some time and explore career options. You do not have to go straight into professional school after college. The worst thing you could do is rush such a big decision, especially with school being so costly these days.

P.S. Why can't schools close?? They close all of the time. Admittedly not much in pharmacy yet but it will happen eventually.

Thanks and I do feel like 50yr old just thinking over my life choices!

I agree that you still have time to consider. The pre-reqs for med school and pharmacy school are pretty much the same. You could theoretically even prepare for and take both the PCAT and MCAT and see if your scores factor into your decision.

You asked about family time...that was at least part of my decision to apply to pharmacy school. I am married and will probably be starting a family soon. I hope to be out of school and with a real job in hand by the time any of my future kids are old enough to remember. Plus, I personally find drugs infinitely more interesting than medicine in general.

Its the things asides from GPA and PCAT/MCAT that scares me.. recommendation letters from doctors?! :[

The paradox of choice.

You'd think that more options would lead to better decision making and more satisfaction with the outcome. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case. You can nitpick your choices and/or feel regret about choosing one over the other forever. At some point, you will need to decide. My suggestion is to evaluate the pros and cons of both, listen to your heart, pick one and don't look back. I'll emphasize that last part-pick one and don't look back.

I know a thing or two about feeling like you don't have time. Unless you are in your 50's, you have time. I am in my early 30's and starting pharmacy school this year. I was pursuing a career in research, but the economy has trashed that idea. I was faced with the decision of continuing in a shrinking industry or jumping ship while I was still young. Obviously, I chose to jump ship because I value my sanity 🙂.

I chose pharmacy over medicine because I wanted to get a "real" job before I was 40, most doctors that I spoke to about medicine seemed unhappy, most pharmacists that I talked to about pharmacy seemed happy, the lifestyle of pharmacy seems like it would be more conducive with my personality and life goals, I can still do research (I have a PhD in pharmacology), I will hopefully have less than $100k in debt, and I love the idea of helping people through effective pharmacotherapy.

Good luck with your decision. Regardless of your choice, everything will turn out alright.

Thanks for your wishes and yesss I really wouldn't want to be in school for so long..

Your issue will be much bigger after you graduate with Pharm. D with no job near your family and have to relocate somewhere you don't want, then, all this being with family talk will be pointless...

Family doc probably gets paged every damn day because someone needs you... Go with a lifestyle specialty MD: optho, derm, anesthisiology, plastics, rads or even dentist... you can be anywhere you want and still have great life style and fat paycheck ~$200-400k+ Pharmacy is not the way to go nowadays...

Check this thread also, as you can see I am debating on switching also... but decided not to because it is a bit too late for me to make it break even financially... If I were you, I would choose to do MD in a heart beat
http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=94898
http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=91276

Decisions, decisions..

Are you currently retailing? or hospital? The latter seems so much more fun/interesting.

Listen to this thread.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=902079

If you are a guy or an ugly to average looking chick then you need to get an MD.

So you're not a hot chick as your avatar suggests? :[

 

[Skyforever]

Thread moved to its new home in the Pre-Pharm forum.

Could you return it to Pharmacy? I want to get current students' and practitioner's opinion on their career/soon-to-be-career and/or optimism/fear for the future of the profession in respect to my predicament of limited time.😛 Thanks

 

[Rx MPLS]

The disadvantage of youth is that you have no idea how long a lifetime is, so you end up making choices based on your perception of time that's already passed. As you age, your perception of time changes, though, and what seemed like it would take forever rarely does.

Don't make this decision based on schooling length. Make it based on reasonable assumptions of what you want to do every day for the rest of your life, the debt you'll have to take out to make that happen, and whether or not your chosen job can pay that debt off in a reasonable timeframe.

It helps to shadow, volunteer or work in these settings before making your decision.

One last hint: it might seem like other people know best, but this is a decision only you can make. It's a very personal decision. Take your time and ask yourself what you really want out of a career so you can get what you need in the end.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Could you return it to Pharmacy? I want to get current students' and practitioner's opinion on their career/soon-to-be-career and/or optimism/fear for the future of the profession in respect to my predicament of limited time.😛 Thanks

Questions about school or career choice belong in the pre-pharmacy forum. Plenty of current pharmacy students and pharmacists read and post in this forum.

 

[Gavinhavard]

I am an incoming junior, applying for pharmacy school this fall in Texas. I was really stuck to the idea of pursuing and becoming a pharmacist based on job outlooks since highschool! (2008?) I'm currently at the midpoint of my undergrad career and it is time to commit myself to either pharmacy or medicine. I never considered medicine until recently. After reading the sticky about job outlooks and considering the realistic situations of say 2017-2018; I am suddenly aware of the possibility of not being able to repay my debts ~$50k? I currently volunteer in a pharmacy at a large suburb hospital. Even one of the pharmacist approached me to herald me the ill omen; she said there was 25 applicant for 1 night shift.

To me, family doctor seems more interesting than being a retail pharmacist. I have personal reasons to want to become both; however, time isn't on my side.

Has anyone had to deal with the sacrifice of family for being a doctor spending more time in school (double) and less with family? Or choosing pharmacy so you would have more time with family?

If time wasn't an issue I would choose being a doctor honestly. What's worse is the job market for pharmacist around 2017-2018.. assuming this trend will spiral downwards, since schools can't close.

What would you do if you were me and time was an issue?
Thanks

I am a Biochemistry major going into my senior year. Since high school up until about three months ago I wanted and desired to be an orthopedic surgeon. Although, my second semester of college I was informed I would become a father. My son is now 19 months old and is becoming a bigger part of my life everyday. My focus shifted from medical field to pharmacy because I am a family man and want to be able to coach my son. However, going into the medical field I would have to sacrifice this family time. Of course being an orthopedic surgeon I would make a lot more money. On the other hand, I have grown to realize that money does not make you happy. It can definitely help but will NEVER make you happy. My focus has almost completely shifted to pharmacy instead of medicine because I cherish the role of actually being a "father." I do not want my fiance or son growing up without me in their lives. As of now, I plan to become a pharmacist until my children grow up. At that point if I am not satisfied where I am, I will pursue my dream and desire to become an orthopedic surgeon as that is what I really want to do with my life, but my family and role as a father is more important at this point in my life.
Hope this helps you.

Good luck with all of your endeavors.

 

[SHC1984]

So you're not a hot chick as your avatar suggests? :[

If I was ugly I would be doing medicine. How else would I be able to make money if I was an ugly ass chick? lol

 

[Skyforever]

I am a Biochemistry major going into my senior year. Since high school up until about three months ago I wanted and desired to be an orthopedic surgeon. Although, my second semester of college I was informed I would become a father. My son is now 19 months old and is becoming a bigger part of my life everyday. My focus shifted from medical field to pharmacy because I am a family man and want to be able to coach my son. However, going into the medical field I would have to sacrifice this family time. Of course being an orthopedic surgeon I would make a lot more money. On the other hand, I have grown to realize that money does not make you happy. It can definitely help but will NEVER make you happy. My focus has almost completely shifted to pharmacy instead of medicine because I cherish the role of actually being a "father." I do not want my fiance or son growing up without me in their lives. As of now, I plan to become a pharmacist until my children grow up. At that point if I am not satisfied where I am, I will pursue my dream and desire to become an orthopedic surgeon as that is what I really want to do with my life, but my family and role as a father is more important at this point in my life.
Hope this helps you.

Good luck with all of your endeavors.

Thanks for sharing your story Gavinhavard, it definitely got me thinking a little bit more clearly.

Good luck to you and your family as well.

 

[Skyforever]

If I was ugly I would be doing medicine. How else would I be able to make money if I was an ugly ass chick? lol

I would rather be a hot doctor.

 

[SHC1984]

I would rather be a hot trophy wife.

Fixed.

 

[Buk Lau]

I'm facing the same dilemma, as I don't know how the job market will be in 5 years (probably very very very saturated). I'm at a loss for alternate careers, as I know the IT field is booming but I've never been a computer person so I don't think I'd like that field. I don't want to be a dentist and look at other people's teeth all the time, so the only alternative seems to be med school, but I am not committed to studying for that long. Does anyone know any alternative? Like, what are some jobs that you can get with a bachelor's degree? I know if you had a BS in computer science, you'd easily snag a decent paying job.

 

[pharm B]

You can be a rad tech or dental hygienist with two years of CC-level training.

I'd still rather be a pharmacist! We talk about saturation, but I am part of the group that feels it's just a lack of a shortage. There are still jobs.

Heck, I just found out bonuses still exist. In hospitals even! :scaredy:

 

[Buk Lau]

You can be a rad tech or dental hygienist with two years of CC-level training.

I'd still rather be a pharmacist! We talk about saturation, but I am part of the group that feels it's just a lack of a shortage. There are still jobs.

Heck, I just found out bonuses still exist. In hospitals even! :scaredy:

in 5 years, though...idk.

I'm taking the PCAT in July and I honestly have lost motivation because I don't know if I want to do pharmacy anymore...I'm looking for alternatives and weighing my options, because once I am in pharmacy school, it's gonna be hard to back out and I'm trying to imagine what the job field will be like in 5 years

 

[Buk Lau]

1

 

[xFierce]

in 5 years, though...idk.

I'm taking the PCAT in July and I honestly have lost motivation because I don't know if I want to do pharmacy anymore...I'm looking for alternatives and weighing my options, because once I am in pharmacy school, it's gonna be hard to back out and I'm trying to imagine what the job field will be like in 5 years

I'm in the same boat. I'm reconsidering my options even as of now. I'm currently going to through my 5th year of college to finish up my engineering degree. I was planning on applying to pharmacy schools this year. But after hearing constantly of the threatening market that lies in the future, I've almost stopped with my application process.And now looking at med school and going all out.

 

[pinipig523]

Definitely a bonafide question and it is a tough choice.

I do have some things to say about this dilemma to maybe help you out.

I am an ER physician and my wife is a pharmacist at Walgreens. We just both turned 30... I'm still not used to that number because I've been a twenty-something all my life, or so it seemed.

Pros - there are many. Finances, responsibility, hours.

Financially - I don't think you can do better than MD in the health field. Maybe if you sub specialized in dentistry such as orthodontics or became an oral surgeon, but for the most part - you can do very well financially as an MD. You know how big of a difference a few hundred K makes for your lifestyle? You know what kind of disposable income you have once you crack the 250K-mark? Yes, there are sad docs out there, but same can be said for pharmacists. You don't always have to work crazy hours to make money in medicine - you just have to be smart. There are some plastic surgeons out there who have every weekend off, can have 3 day weekends when they want and make double what I make as an ER doc. Can you wrap your head around what it would be like to have that for a paycheck? See below (post-tax, post-SS, post-deductions) for a comparison just to bring it to reality. You know what kind of expenses you have per month, so use that as a guide.

2 week as rph - $2,800 in TX
2 week as ENT - $10,000 in TX
2 week as Radiology - $12,000 in TX
2 week as Plastics - $19,000 in TX

Responsibility - MD's have it in spades. Yes, you can argue that it is a big responsibility to make sure the patient gets the right drug dispensed at the pharmacy counter or that vancomycin is renally dosed appropriately as an ID pharmacist. But - no one has more responsibility than the ENT or ER doc who has to get an crash airway in a patient who has stopped breathing. Or the ICU doc who has to stabilize a crashing shocky patient. Or the cardiologist who is in the coronary arteries about to deploy a stent to reperfuse ischemic myocardium. Have you ever stood in a room where all people's eyes are on you when the patient's blood pressure just tanked to 60/40 and a HR in the 120s? Have you ever stood next to a patient's mom as she watches her son lose his airway after ingesting antifreeze? Have you ever stood in a hallway when a 16 month old kid was wheeled to you with a crying dad because the kid's been seizing for the past 30 minutes?

Hours - yes, you guys must think I'm crazy. But you can't compare pharmacy and MD hours. You "can" work more as an MD, but that's largely your choice. I'll give you an example - I can cut my hours waaaaaaaay back and still match my wife's full time salary at Walgreens. You think it's great to work 40h as a pharmacist and pull $100K? I can do that working 10h a week. So what would you rather do? You have a kid and you want to spend time with him/her? You wanna work 40h or 10h?

Cons - MDs always have a target on their backs. Everyone thinks we make too much and that we should not. Guess who's paycheck is always on the chopping block when reimbursements need cutting?

In the end, it's your choice. Do what you want to do and not what you get paid to do. I chose medicine because it's what I wanted to do. I wanted to be the guy who knew everything there was to know about initially narrowing the differential diagnoses, I wanted to be the guy who could handle whatever was thrown at him, I wanted to be the guy who could save people - literally. And that's why I became an ER doc. It's not because I make 4x what my wife makes - it's because I like my job.

So - you choose what you want to do. Choose what you like.

👍

 

[CareDD]

Definitely a bonafide question and it is a tough choice.

I do have some things to say about this dilemma to maybe help you out.

I am an ER physician and my wife is a pharmacist at Walgreens. We just both turned 30... I'm still not used to that number because I've been a twenty-something all my life, or so it seemed.

Pros - there are many. Finances, responsibility, hours.

Financially - I don't think you can do better than MD in the health field. Maybe if you sub specialized in dentistry such as orthodontics or became an oral surgeon, but for the most part - you can do very well financially as an MD. You know how big of a difference a few hundred K makes for your lifestyle? You know what kind of disposable income you have once you crack the 250K-mark? Yes, there are sad docs out there, but same can be said for pharmacists. You don't always have to work crazy hours to make money in medicine - you just have to be smart. There are some plastic surgeons out there who have every weekend off, can have 3 day weekends when they want and make double what I make as an ER doc. Can you wrap your head around what it would be like to have that for a paycheck? See below (post-tax, post-SS, post-deductions) for a comparison just to bring it to reality. You know what kind of expenses you have per month, so use that as a guide.

2 week as rph - $2,800 in TX
2 week as ENT - $10,000 in TX
2 week as Radiology - $12,000 in TX
2 week as Plastics - $19,000 in TX

Responsibility - MD's have it in spades. Yes, you can argue that it is a big responsibility to make sure the patient gets the right drug dispensed at the pharmacy counter or that vancomycin is renally dosed appropriately as an ID pharmacist. But - no one has more responsibility than the ENT or ER doc who has to get an crash airway in a patient who has stopped breathing. Or the ICU doc who has to stabilize a crashing shocky patient. Or the cardiologist who is in the coronary arteries about to deploy a stent to reperfuse ischemic myocardium. Have you ever stood in a room where all people's eyes are on you when the patient's blood pressure just tanked to 60/40 and a HR in the 120s? Have you ever stood next to a patient's mom as she watches her son lose his airway after ingesting antifreeze? Have you ever stood in a hallway when a 16 month old kid was wheeled to you with a crying dad because the kid's been seizing for the past 30 minutes?

Hours - yes, you guys must think I'm crazy. But you can't compare pharmacy and MD hours. You "can" work more as an MD, but that's largely your choice. I'll give you an example - I can cut my hours waaaaaaaay back and still match my wife's full time salary at Walgreens. You think it's great to work 40h as a pharmacist and pull $100K? I can do that working 10h a week. So what would you rather do? You have a kid and you want to spend time with him/her? You wanna work 40h or 10h?

Cons - MDs always have a target on their backs. Everyone thinks we make too much and that we should not. Guess who's paycheck is always on the chopping block when reimbursements need cutting?

In the end, it's your choice. Do what you want to do and not what you get paid to do. I chose medicine because it's what I wanted to do. I wanted to be the guy who knew everything there was to know about initially narrowing the differential diagnoses, I wanted to be the guy who could handle whatever was thrown at him, I wanted to be the guy who could save people - literally. And that's why I became an ER doc. It's not because I make 4x what my wife makes - it's because I like my job.

So - you choose what you want to do. Choose what you like.

👍

First of all, I like your post just to give another perspective about the talk. But can you really work 10hrs? I don't think any hospital would hire a ER doc for just 10 hours. Another situation where they hire you for 40 hours, but you just sit in the office doing nothing for 30 hours, and only work 10 hours. Not only it is unethical, but also impossible. I was a volunteer in the ER, and I didn't see any docs sitting in the office for more than 30 mins ... they seemed busy all the time

 

[Skyforever]

Definitely a bonafide question and it is a tough choice.

I do have some things to say about this dilemma to maybe help you out.

I am an ER physician and my wife is a pharmacist at Walgreens. We just both turned 30... I'm still not used to that number because I've been a twenty-something all my life, or so it seemed.

Pros - there are many. Finances, responsibility, hours.

Financially - I don't think you can do better than MD in the health field. Maybe if you sub specialized in dentistry such as orthodontics or became an oral surgeon, but for the most part - you can do very well financially as an MD. You know how big of a difference a few hundred K makes for your lifestyle? You know what kind of disposable income you have once you crack the 250K-mark? Yes, there are sad docs out there, but same can be said for pharmacists. You don't always have to work crazy hours to make money in medicine - you just have to be smart. There are some plastic surgeons out there who have every weekend off, can have 3 day weekends when they want and make double what I make as an ER doc. Can you wrap your head around what it would be like to have that for a paycheck? See below (post-tax, post-SS, post-deductions) for a comparison just to bring it to reality. You know what kind of expenses you have per month, so use that as a guide.

2 week as rph - $2,800 in TX
2 week as ENT - $10,000 in TX
2 week as Radiology - $12,000 in TX
2 week as Plastics - $19,000 in TX

Responsibility - MD's have it in spades. Yes, you can argue that it is a big responsibility to make sure the patient gets the right drug dispensed at the pharmacy counter or that vancomycin is renally dosed appropriately as an ID pharmacist. But - no one has more responsibility than the ENT or ER doc who has to get an crash airway in a patient who has stopped breathing. Or the ICU doc who has to stabilize a crashing shocky patient. Or the cardiologist who is in the coronary arteries about to deploy a stent to reperfuse ischemic myocardium. Have you ever stood in a room where all people's eyes are on you when the patient's blood pressure just tanked to 60/40 and a HR in the 120s? Have you ever stood next to a patient's mom as she watches her son lose his airway after ingesting antifreeze? Have you ever stood in a hallway when a 16 month old kid was wheeled to you with a crying dad because the kid's been seizing for the past 30 minutes?

Hours - yes, you guys must think I'm crazy. But you can't compare pharmacy and MD hours. You "can" work more as an MD, but that's largely your choice. I'll give you an example - I can cut my hours waaaaaaaay back and still match my wife's full time salary at Walgreens. You think it's great to work 40h as a pharmacist and pull $100K? I can do that working 10h a week. So what would you rather do? You have a kid and you want to spend time with him/her? You wanna work 40h or 10h?

Cons - MDs always have a target on their backs. Everyone thinks we make too much and that we should not. Guess who's paycheck is always on the chopping block when reimbursements need cutting?

In the end, it's your choice. Do what you want to do and not what you get paid to do. I chose medicine because it's what I wanted to do. I wanted to be the guy who knew everything there was to know about initially narrowing the differential diagnoses, I wanted to be the guy who could handle whatever was thrown at him, I wanted to be the guy who could save people - literally. And that's why I became an ER doc. It's not because I make 4x what my wife makes - it's because I like my job.

So - you choose what you want to do. Choose what you like.

👍

Thank you for your sincere response Pinipig. I will try to get some experience shadowing a family Doc/clinic or something I can do to observe ER docs (scribe?).

 

[onehot]

2 week as rph - $2,800 in TX

I'm assuming this is part time pay?....full time pay at WAGs is at least 5,500 per two weeks as rph....

 

[Momus]

I'm assuming this is part time pay?....full time pay at WAGs is at least 5,500 per two weeks as rph....

This is after tax with BS deduction max 401k, insurance, fed, state, ss, medicare tax.

Attending doc again confirms doc >>> rph in terms of salary like I said before.

Acceptance to medical school has been shown to be equilavalent of a 22 year old getting $1M and as much as 3M if you go into high paying specialty. It's like winning a small lotterry with much bigger odds.

 

[onehot]

This is after tax with BS deduction max 401k, insurance, fed, state, ss, medicare tax.

Attending doc again confirms doc >>> rph in terms of salary like I said before.

Acceptance to medical school has been shown to be equilavalent of a 22 year old getting $1M and as much as 3M if you go into high paying specialty. It's like winning a small lotterry with much bigger odds.

They reside in Texas..Last time I checked they did not have state tax, but I could be wrong...Still seems on the lower side...

 

[mrp0pularrr]

Personally, I'm in the same boat as you are when deciding which route to choose in my professional career choice. Before the recession, most of the pharmacists I knew told me pharmacy is they way to go. You'll make a nice income, fair hours, and manageable workloads. Nowadays, although people claim the recession is over and things are getting better - results are still not being shown in a dramatically noticeable way. I have worked for Walgreens, Omnicare (call center/pharmacy) and I currently work for CVS as a Registered Pharmacy Technician and have become acquainted with several staff pharmacist from the three companies. Bottom line, all of them say things that do not look good for the employment of pharmacist in the near future.

My Walgreens Pharmacy Manager even emphasized the idea of going to med school instead of wasting my time with pharmacy school simply because of the lack of respect customers give to the pharmacy staff - including the pharmacist. Being a pharmacist (especially in Florida) has definitely changed over the years. Instead of just counseling patients, taking in phone calls from doctor offices, and verifying Technician work - depending on the company you work for - you might be stuck working the whole pharmacy BY YOURSELF. Meaning, no techs whatsoever. Like I said, it depends on where you live and such, but I know for a fact budget cuts and hour cuts exist almost everywhere. So if you decide to choose pharmacy remember this - DO NOT get the false impression that it's an easy way to get money or an easy job in general. Because nowadays you really can't be sure of anything. Do it because you truly want to become a pharmacist for all the responsibilities it'll bring and possibly more.

 

[Momus]

They reside in Texas..Last time I checked they did not have state tax, but I could be wrong...Still seems on the lower side...

55/h - 4400 gross. Tx rph get paid less because no income tax and low cost of living. You are a bit delusional if u think wag pays a staff 68.75/h.

I get 61/h in cali - 4880 gross/2 weeks. After deductionS 2800. You think you live in a high life as pharmacist? Think again

 

[pinipig523]

First of all, I like your post just to give another perspective about the talk. But can you really work 10hrs? I don't think any hospital would hire a ER doc for just 10 hours. Another situation where they hire you for 40 hours, but you just sit in the office doing nothing for 30 hours, and only work 10 hours. Not only it is unethical, but also impossible. I was a volunteer in the ER, and I didn't see any docs sitting in the office for more than 30 mins ... they seemed busy all the time

Yes, you can. I work as part time with Baylor and I can pick up whatever number of shifts. Each shift is 12h long. You could work 3 shifts in 1 month and then 5 shifts the next. You average just about 40h every month.

 

[pinipig523]

I'm assuming this is part time pay?....full time pay at WAGs is at least 5,500 per two weeks as rph....

Wait till you get your paycheck eaten up by all the deductions and taxes.

My wife brings in just about $2400 every 2 weeks working 32h at WAGS here in Chicago, IL.

You forget my friend... $100 and $200 deductions here and there eat up a lower gross salary. You'll feel the pinch once you realize you have to pay $300 every month for health insurance.

So yeah, you think your biweekly gross is a lot? Sadly, it's not when every little deduction is tacked on.

Btw, $5500 gross per 2 weeks is not possible unless you're doing some overtime. $5500 per 2 weeks means that you are making $5500 x 26 (biweeklies in a year) = $143,000. I think all pharmacists on this board will tell you that $143,000 is not average.

Now - take someone who earns $400K per year - that's a gross biweekly of $15300. That's a lot of buffer for all the little $100 and $200 deductions.

That's the power of earning more. You get way more disposable income.

 

[pinipig523]

55/h - 4400 gross. Tx rph get paid less because no income tax and low cost of living. You are a bit delusional if u think wag pays a staff 68.75/h.

I get 61/h in cali - 4880 gross/2 weeks. After deductionS 2800. You think you live in a high life as pharmacist? Think again

Momus is right.

You can live a very comfortable life, but not the high life from my experience.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

This thread is getting silly. More money =/= more happiness. Some of the most miserable people I know are very wealthy. And it's not as if any pharmacist or physician is going to be POOR. Have some perspective. We all make more than the vast majority of Americans. I don't know that physician job satisfaction is any higher overall than pharmacist job satisfaction. And if you hate your job, the money won't help. So, if you want to be a physician and think you'll enjoy it, do that. If you want to be a pharmacist and think you'll enjoy it, do that. Don't base your decision solely off of how much money you think you'll make, because that's only one factor.

 

[msnpharmposble]

Sorry to barge in here, I don't post much.

Even at $5,600 a month take-home after 401(k), federal/state deductions, etc, then perhaps $1,700 for loan payment (Approximately what mine will be, I start at Touro-CA in Fall '12) you will still be very comfortable in your living situation. If I cannot live a good life with $3,900 net then I am doing something quite wrong, in my opinion.

 

[pinipig523]

This thread is getting silly. More money =/= more happiness. Some of the most miserable people I know are very wealthy. And it's not as if any pharmacist or physician is going to be POOR. Have some perspective. We all make more than the vast majority of Americans. I don't know that physician job satisfaction is any higher overall than pharmacist job satisfaction. And if you hate your job, the money won't help. So, if you want to be a physician and think you'll enjoy it, do that. If you want to be a pharmacist and think you'll enjoy it, do that. Don't base your decision solely off of how much money you think you'll make, because that's only one factor.

This thread is not silly - it is realistic. When people have to decide what to do with their lives - it's important to take in the WHOLE picture. You have to see beyond the prairie and the butterflies to see the real picture.

Unfortunately, a lot of "realism" boils down to cash. It's what drives quite a bit of society and it drives personal goals for a lot of people.

That said - you must look at the field you are entering and ask yourself - do I like it? Money doesn't buy happiness and it won't help if you're miserable at your job. No amount is worth it if you loathe each day of work. To get a perspective on job satisfaction - you must shadow pharmacists and MDs. You gotta ask them the brutal question, "Would you do it all over again?"

But let me say it again - this thread is not silly. Why? Read the OP's original post...

I am an incoming junior, applying for pharmacy school this fall in Texas. I was really stuck to the idea of pursuing and becoming a pharmacist based on job outlooks since highschool! (2008?) I'm currently at the midpoint of my undergrad career and it is time to commit myself to either pharmacy or medicine. I never considered medicine until recently. After reading the sticky about job outlooks and considering the realistic situations of say 2017-2018; I am suddenly aware of the possibility of not being able to repay my debts ~$50k? I currently volunteer in a pharmacy at a large suburb hospital. Even one of the pharmacist approached me to herald me the ill omen; she said there was 25 applicant for 1 night shift.

To me, family doctor seems more interesting than being a retail pharmacist. I have personal reasons to want to become both; however, time isn't on my side.

Has anyone had to deal with the sacrifice of family for being a doctor spending more time in school (double) and less with family? Or choosing pharmacy so you would have more time with family?

If time wasn't an issue I would choose being a doctor honestly. What's worse is the job market for pharmacist around 2017-2018.. assuming this trend will spiral downwards, since schools can't close.

What would you do if you were me and time was an issue?
Thanks

...he was asking the financials and time aspects of both fields. We answered that.

Btw, for every miserable wealthy person - I can guarantee you a miserable poor person as well. I believe people are miserable because they're just miserable. A few hundred K or a million here and there doesn't change that fact.

 

[pinipig523]

Sorry to barge in here, I don't post much.

Even at $5,600 a month take-home after 401(k), federal/state deductions, etc, then perhaps $1,700 for loan payment (Approximately what mine will be, I start at Touro-CA in Fall '12) you will still be very comfortable in your living situation. If I cannot live a good life with $3,900 net then I am doing something quite wrong, in my opinion.

You can live the good life for sure. There's no question about that. 👍

 

[smercer]

Finding co-workers you can stand can be just as important as finding something the meets your monetary and career goals. If you have a bunch of negative nancys pissing and moaning all day, then even the best job in the world to you can become crappy.

 

[pinipig523]

Finding co-workers you can stand can be just as important as finding something the meets your monetary and career goals. If you have a bunch of negative nancys pissing and moaning all day, then even the best job in the world to you can become crappy.

Yes... so true. Co-workers will make or break you.

 

[msnpharmposble]

You can live the good life for sure. There's no question about that. 👍

It certainly depends on whether you need a brand new 7-series for the "good life."

 

[Rx MPLS]

This is a valid discussion. Being a doctor will allow you a lot more financial freedom in your in your later years, which is worth something. That said, being a pharmacist is a pretty decent gig too. I do think that the original person who posted should check out medicine, however, as it appears to be where their interests lie.

 

[Momus]

“Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.”

I'd rather be miserable rich than miserable poor. Thank you.

 

[owlegrad]

It's like they say - more money, more problems.

 

[Rouelle]

It's like they say - more money, more problems.

I'm pretty sure you just had a P Diddy moment.

 

[SHC1984]

Money is GREAT. It's everyone's favorite thing in the world!

However, you gotta at least be able to tolerate what you are doing everyday.

I was in dental school and still wish I could make a dentist's salary but I really can NOT do their job so I would never regret getting out of it.

My rotation now requires me to be in the ICU for 8 to 9 hrs a day....it sucks big time. I do not see how anyone can enjoy working in a place like that. I never been in the ICU till this rotation and let me tell you it sucks so bad. I don't like it at all. If I had to work in the ICU everyday for the rest of my life I would change fields for damn sure. There is a REASON why MDs make so much MONEY....its cuz NO ONE would do it for less than 300K a year! I won't do it for less than 1 billion. lol....

Yes MD's make a lot of money but what they have to do is something I really rather never see or do.

I think I should have gone into Marketing or Sales instead. God, I hate blood and germs....

I wash my hands 100000000000000 times a day in the hospital. 🙄

 

[SHC1984]

God lets pray I get a managed care position. My block 1 rotation was MUCH better.

I was on a computer, sitting in my CLEAN office 5 to 8 hrs a day...I can do that!🙂

 

[smercer]

God lets pray I get a managed care position. My block 1 rotation was MUCH better.

I was on a computer, sitting in my CLEAN office 5 to 8 hrs a day...I can do that!🙂

You could always open a restaurant/nail salon combo...I hear that is where the money is at.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

You could always open a restaurant/nail salon combo...I hear that is where the money is at.

Yes, that's way easier and more profitable than pharmacy. 👍

 

[onehot]

55/h - 4400 gross. Tx rph get paid less because no income tax and low cost of living. You are a bit delusional if u think wag pays a staff 68.75/h.

I get 61/h in cali - 4880 gross/2 weeks. After deductionS 2800. You think you live in a high life as pharmacist? Think again

Thanks for the reply...I definitely miscalculated, being a student you don't really know...you hear things here and there but never really get the definite answer...2800 take home or 60% of the gross sounds about right..still much better than a lot of other careers out there...

How much of the deductions do you get back on average at the end of the year?

 

[rxlea]

Um >5K a month? I can't cry about that.

I don't know what I'll do with myself that first month.