Ok, a little background. When I was in school, I hated the idea of being a pharmacist. I was doing it for the money. I never thought I had what it takes to do clinical work so I was going to graduate and do retail pharmacy while I tried on the side to do what I wanted to do. Little did I know how much time work takes up. After 2 years of 12 hour shifts in retail, I took a job in a hospital. I've been there for a little over a year now and in the past year I've come to realize I like the clinical side of the work and I miss my Clinical rotations where we rounded with physicians. So I've decided to go back and apply for a residency.
The question I have is help deciding on a residency program. I have narrowed it down to two specialties: either Pediatrics or Informatics. Pediatrics has several PGY1 programs at a children's hospital allowing for the specialization / concentration with only one year. I plan on doing two, but don't want to do a "general" residency for a year just so I can do the specialty. On the other hand the biggest complaints I've had about my jobs have been the lack of technology. I love computers and actually have started going back part time for an Associates in Computer Programming while working the last 3 years. Often times I have more technology in my pocket i-Phone than some places have to manage patients.
So what advice can anyone give? What are the residencies like for Pediatrics or Informatics. What is a typical day like for an informatics pharmacist? One of my advisers at school is a pediatric clinical pharmacist so I have a good idea of the work they do, its more the informatics I am curious about. Why informatics pharmacists and not some IT guy? (Most places I've been have an IT guy that does all the work and doesn't know a thing about clinical needs).
Thanks everyone!
Tim
The question I have is help deciding on a residency program. I have narrowed it down to two specialties: either Pediatrics or Informatics. Pediatrics has several PGY1 programs at a children's hospital allowing for the specialization / concentration with only one year. I plan on doing two, but don't want to do a "general" residency for a year just so I can do the specialty. On the other hand the biggest complaints I've had about my jobs have been the lack of technology. I love computers and actually have started going back part time for an Associates in Computer Programming while working the last 3 years. Often times I have more technology in my pocket i-Phone than some places have to manage patients.
So what advice can anyone give? What are the residencies like for Pediatrics or Informatics. What is a typical day like for an informatics pharmacist? One of my advisers at school is a pediatric clinical pharmacist so I have a good idea of the work they do, its more the informatics I am curious about. Why informatics pharmacists and not some IT guy? (Most places I've been have an IT guy that does all the work and doesn't know a thing about clinical needs).
Thanks everyone!
Tim
