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Shorter Pharm Program?
Started by halfempty84
There are several 3 year, accelerated pharmacy programs in the US. Just google it. There may even be forums on SDN about that, just use the search function.
So did you drop medicine because you would have had to spend 4 years in medical school?
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No, that would be silly. I just realized that pharm would fit me better -- and if I could do it in a shorter amount of time, I don't see why not.
LECOM-Erie has a 3 year accelerated program.
I guess I'm giving some people the wrong idea/purpose. I don't think accelerated programs are less difficult or require less work -- they are simply accelerated -- meaning same amount of work, shorter time (probably means no summer break? -- not too sure how that will work).
The reason I asked is because I just started a family, and realized that I need to be contributing to the household asap because expenses these days are skyrocketing.
Btw, thanks for repsonses guys.
Also in pharmacy school... you get summers off... not in the accelerated program, they tend to go year round. Same work just less time.
I would avoid the 3-year program because you'll burn yourself out.
My advisor never told me this. Where is the proof that schools will start to require the B.S. ??
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I was told the same during my interview last year at Temple, and again during orientation this fall at Shenandoah.
Also, during a APhA-ASP meeting, it was mentioned that there has been some discussion about whether to split the pharm d into a clinical concentration and a dispensing concentration. Don't know how soon or if it will happen... but just a FYI.
Also, during a APhA-ASP meeting, it was mentioned that there has been some discussion about whether to split the pharm d into a clinical concentration and a dispensing concentration. Don't know how soon or if it will happen... but just a FYI.
The percentage of applicants with degrees has been steadily climbing for a long time. Its not so much that they will technically require it, you will just not be competitive without one. Technically many med schools don't require you to have a degree, but there's little chance you'd ever get in without one. A statement from UCHSC SOM... "A college program leading to a bachelor's degree is considered by the faculty and the UCD School of Medicine's Committee on Admissions to offer the best preparation for a student interested in medicine. The following are required prerequisite courses. All prerequisite courses must be taken at an accredited U.S. college or university."
There is a list of 3 year schools in the FAQ. It's stickied in this forum. 🙂
Hi I'm an undergrad in a 3+3 pharmacy program. Many people I know are in the 3 year accelerated PharmD Program. They have like 3 weeks summer break and 1 month winter break. It seems pretty hard, but definitely do-able. So don't rule out the 3 year option, just expect fewer breaks, and a faster pace.
hey can anyone explain to me what the "clinical" aspects of pharmacy are? Isn't the role of the pharmacist to dispense? i thought the clinical aspects included patient counseling, and perhaps drug therapy/management... Shouldn't all pharmacists be trained equally in these aspects?
hey can anyone explain to me what the "clinical" aspects of pharmacy are? Isn't the role of the pharmacist to dispense? i thought the clinical aspects included patient counseling, and perhaps drug therapy/management... Shouldn't all pharmacists be trained equally in these aspects?
The role of pharmacy is changing. Some pharmacists are wanting to be more clinical so they can recommend drugs per condition. Some pharmacists are on staff at a hospital to meet with a patient, and recommend drugs for their conditions. The MD just comes in and signs the scripts, or gives the pharmacist power of prescription. Specialties are emerging within pharmacy for example in ambulatory care.
Then you have some pharmacist that are only interested in dispencing and not so much "diagnosing" or being directly involved in the health outcomes of a patient. They would work behind a counter, or continue to fill the prescriptions.
Then you have some pharmacist that are only interested in dispencing and not so much "diagnosing" or being directly involved in the health outcomes of a patient. They would work behind a counter, or continue to fill the prescriptions.
Right, but why would you need a clinical concentration? From what you posted, I take it that pharmacists today are prescribing and recommending w/o any concentration (unless residency counts?) Shouldn't all pharmacists be able to do this? I don't really see the purpose of a clinical vs dispensing concentrations, all i see is the difference in the actions of Hospital and Retail pharmacists, but shouldn't retail pharmacists who have a PharmD still have been trained the same way, since there are no concentrations today, just one Pharm D.?
There are a lot of fields in pharmacy. There are no real concentrations in most schools. Although, there are structured curricula for those entering academia and government, outside of clinical/patient-oriented (UCSF for example). Depending on what you want to do in pharmacy, there are such things as residency. It's just like being an MD, you need to gain experience with less pay to be qualified for a specialty.
I'm always confused by 3 year programs. I understand that you get your PharmD sooner, but do you qualify for your state board exams sooner? In four year programs, summers have been described as slaving away to get your experience hours. Also, a few schools have told me that time during rotations are excluded from the total hours required to take the boards.
Confusing...
Confusing...
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Yes, as long as you can graduate, you are qualified to sit for the Board NAPLEX & MPJE/CPJE. If you pass both exams, you are licensed to practice.
Yes, for ex, suppose A & B are in P1 now, but A is in the 4 year so A belongs to c/o 2012 whereas B c/o 2011.
No, your final year clinical rotations are counted into your intern hours. In my school, they account for 2/3 of the required intern hours-to be able to sit for the exams. The required hours vary depending on the state where you sit for your license.
Just curious. How could there be a 3+3? Usually 0+6, 2+4, 2+3, 4(BA/BS)+4, or 4(BA/BS)+3.
I just want to add where the time involved in school is 4yrs for medicine and pharmacy, it is much quicker to be a pharmacist as you don't do residencies for 3-7yrs and you don't need a Bachelor's degree to apply to some schools.
From what I gather the 3yr programs are very accelerated. In 4yr programs, the summer months are used for interning for x amt of week then you get some time off. In the 3 yr programs, you go all year round without any breaks.
Remember 1st year dental school? Same thing but at a fast pace.
Remember 1st year dental school? Same thing but at a fast pace.
I'm actually attending USN which is a 3 year program, and I have to say it is pretty intense but for me its worth it.
Pros: 2 years of school and 1 year of rotations, I will save more than 40K for that one year, graduate faster.
Cons: We have an exam every 2 weeks and must get a 90% to pass
In my opinion I think the thing that is most intensed about my program is the fact that you need a 90% to pass. I'm getting used to the program and the good thing is we get about a month off in december, and if you pass all your exams you get 6 weeks off in the summer.
Pros: 2 years of school and 1 year of rotations, I will save more than 40K for that one year, graduate faster.
Cons: We have an exam every 2 weeks and must get a 90% to pass
In my opinion I think the thing that is most intensed about my program is the fact that you need a 90% to pass. I'm getting used to the program and the good thing is we get about a month off in december, and if you pass all your exams you get 6 weeks off in the summer.
90% to PASS????? then what is HONORS? 120%??? LOL... this does sound intense...Thanks for the info I will not apply there. The only 3 year programs I am considering are UoP and South University in Savannah GA
To get one of those clinical positions you currently either need to complete a residency or have equal experience, but getting equal experience is pretty tough because you need a residency to get the experience.
The equal experience is more for people who have been in those positions before residencies were required. The first year of residency (PGY1) is typically a general rotation through a few different sites, which depends on what program you attend. You can choose to do a second year (PGY2) where you specialize in an area. There are currently five specialties of clinical pharmacy you can become board certified for: nuclear, nutrition support, oncology, pharmacotherapy, and psychiatric pharmacy, but there are definitely way more specialties than that.
Pharmacists cannot prescribe except in certain situations. Some states are more lenient than others, but you need a lot of experience to prescribe. Arizona only currently has two pharmacists who are allowed to prescribe. Like Antimony said, pharmacists run the Rx by a doctor, so you kinda are prescribing but you still have to get approval in most situations. Really you are making recommendations about the best treatments because you are a drug expert, while doctors are diagnosing experts. Medical school provides very little training in drugs. Having clinical pharmacists has been proven to benefit patient outcomes.
Technically every pharmacist is trained the same way, but there's no way you could possible cover every drug or all the information you would need to know in four years. Residencies are a way to learn more specific information pertaining to the area you are interested in during a short period of time. Plus they are required to get one of those positions.
Sorry that got so long, but I hope that gives you an overview. If you want more info, the American College of Clinical Pharmacy or the American Society for Health-System Pharmacy are the sources to look at.
LOL its not too bad though I didn't mean to discourage you from applying its a great school. Theres no grades just pass or no pass which is good because there no competition.
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