Shadowing a Pharmacist

[winterlily05]

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Hi everyone,
I've just called about more than 20 pharmacists in my area, and all have said that I can't shadow them due to liability issues. I'm so unbelievably discouraged right now. How were other students able to shadow a pharmacist, and later receive a letter of recommendation?
Thank you.

If there is a VA hospital near where you live, volunteer there and asked to be placed in the pharmacy. They are very lenient as to where volunteers request to be placed.

 

[delano2000]

Me too! I thought I was the only one having trouble.
I called about 15 pharmacies yesterday and all said no (both retail and independents) because of liability issues or just that they were too busy. A few of the independents told me to call back in 3-6 months, but I'm going to see if I can shadow at the hospital.
Just curious, can pre-pharm advisors help students find a place to shadow/volunteer?

At my school the health professions dept can definitely help in getting volunteering opportunities so ask your advisor if your school does not have a health professions office on campus.

 

[UNMorBUST]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=9761497#post9761497

 

[delano2000]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=9761497#post9761497

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

Hi everyone,
I've just called about more than 20 pharmacists in my area, and all have said that I can't shadow them due to liability issues. I'm so unbelievably discouraged right now. How were other students able to shadow a pharmacist, and later receive a letter of recommendation?
Thank you.

Try Walgreens 🙂 I contacted one of the stores and they told me to email this district manager or something. And then that's how it happened 🙂.

 

[UNMorBUST]

Try Walgreens 🙂 I contacted one of the stores and they told me to email this district manager or something. And then that's how it happened 🙂.

Please see link.

 

[lauradiddle]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=9761497#post9761497

Perhaps they got rejected because they were asking podiatrists if they could shadow in their pharmacy?

 

[UNMorBUST]

Perhaps they got rejected because they were asking podiatrists if they could shadow in their pharmacy?

Right after taking the DAT while taking the PCAT before taking the MCAT. *OP posting history*

 

[ArkansasRanger]

I was told I couldn't shadow either.

 

[crazybob]

I was told I couldn't shadow either.

If you ever want to shadow a pharmacist, I can ask around.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

If you ever want to shadow a pharmacist, I can ask around.

Sweet. Yeah, I'll PM you once I get settled down here. THanks.

 

[BelleMD2B]

I'm in the same boat. I've called 50+ independents (New York has 100s) and have been shot down every time. One was polite enough to say "I'm sorry, but I just don't have time for that right now dear."

I dare not walk-in - with my large pregnant belly, getting a yes in person is out of the question. Getting into the hospitals here is like getting into Fort Knox. Half the hospitals are "over-staffed" with volunteers and will place your application to volunteer on file in case something opens up, but that is not likely (their words). Those that allow you to go directly to the pharmacy are impossible to get into as well.

But, I keep trying. Each week, I find a new batch of calls to make. I figure, eventually, someone, somewhere will tell me yes.

 

[crazybob]

I'm in the same boat. I've called 50+ independents (New York has 100s) and have been shot down every time. One was polite enough to say "I'm sorry, but I just don't have time for that right now dear."

I dare not walk-in - with my large pregnant belly, getting a yes in person is out of the question. Getting into the hospitals here is like getting into Fort Knox. Half the hospitals are "over-staffed" with volunteers and will place your application to volunteer on file in case something opens up, but that is not likely (their words). Those that allow you to go directly to the pharmacy are impossible to get into as well.

But, I keep trying. Each week, I find a new batch of calls to make. I figure, eventually, someone, somewhere will tell me yes.

Have you tried asking those pharmacists for a number for a school that you can call? Sometimes some of the professors might hear from pharmacists in the area about any positions, or about pharmacists who may not be as busy as the others.

 

[pepperjill]

For me, I found a pharmacist through my school's alumni/career center site. So alums put their contact info out to help out undergrads interested in their career. If you go to school, check the career center, they might have records for alums.

But I think networking for sure is important! If you have any friends/family/teachers/advisors who know a pharmacist or knows someone who knows someone, etc, it will help you so much more than just calling a pharmacy as a random person.

Hope this helps and good luck!