Should I work during school?

[deleted289008]

I'll be starting pharmacy school soon and I was wondering if it's wise to use my intern license to get a job during the academic school year. Do you all think I should just focus on schooling instead? I might need a little more cash for living/rent and a job would help with that... or should I just take out 5k more in federal unsubsidized loans?

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[fiorio]

work!
for experiences not $$$
you will learn a lot from work and will be helpful for school eventually.
without internship experience, u will have a hard time landing a job after graduation.

 

[Praziquantel86]

Definitely work. You'll be miles ahead of your classmates that don't personally, professionally and academically .

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

Work for sure! The experience is worth a lot.

 

[fattunesy]

If you can get a spot absolutely 100% work. I have been interviewing recent graduates for a open position here and anyone without work expertience didn't even make it to the interview stage. I worked 2-24 hours per week during school , which was a couple of 8 hour weekends and a few during week 4-5 hour shifts. It can seem daunting at times but being able to talk about how you managed your time to get experience and bring in income is HUGE when you are interviewing. The person we ended up hiring had worked multiple shifts every week, volunteered, and actively participated in her pharmacy fraternity. I have no idea what her grades were...frankly they dont matter that much to me as long as the degree is there and the boards are passed. The flipside is that they DO matter if you ever want to do a residency. There is a danger of it affectign academic performance; I had shifts the night before tests and it was tough. But it is doable.

Another thought: if you get a job and relaize you can't quite handle the time crunch it is possible to request fewer shifts, or stop altogether. That way you at least have options.

 

[xiphoid2010]

I'll be starting pharmacy school soon and I was wondering if it's wise to use my intern license to get a job during the academic school year. Do you all think I should just focus on schooling instead? I might need a little more cash for living/rent and a job would help with that... or should I just take out 5k more in federal unsubsidized loans?

work for both money and future career. Pharmacy school is not so tough that need to skip work to get A's. Just work reasonable hours, I would say 12-20 hours a week is the sweet spot. You can cut back nearing finals week, and increase hours during summer/winter. Except in large very expensive cities, that's enough to pay for cost of living.

Further more, if you don't have work experience, you will be in a tough spot when it comes to residency or jobs. No work experience sets off a red flag, and drops your application down quite a few notches in a very competitive job market.

 

[pharmschooler]

Further more, if you don't have work experience, you will be in a tough spot when it comes to residency or jobs. No work experience sets off a red flag, and drops your application down quite a few notches in a very competitive job market.

Though obviously pharmacy work is preferable, would you say that all work experience during pharmacy school should be in a pharmacy? I'm just curious, as it might be tough to come by for some.

 

[Jbuprepharm]

Definitely work. You'll be miles ahead of your classmates that don't personally, professionally and academically .

I had a 4th year back in January, 5 months from graduation that hadn't worked before.

He didn't know the difference between lortab and norco, he didn't know dosing for anything. Didn't know how to spell or pronounce any drugs, etc etc etc

work work work as you can

 

[owlegrad]

Though obviously pharmacy work is preferable, would you say that all work experience during pharmacy school should be in a pharmacy? I'm just curious, as it might be tough to come by for some.

Opinions are divided on that one. Personally, my thought is that I am in pharmacy school to become a pharmacist. I have absolutely zero desire to work in any unrelated field. I would not advice anyone to work in a capacity that does not serve the main goal of becoming a pharmacist.

 

[pfaction]

I had a 4th year back in January, 5 months from graduation that hadn't worked before.

He didn't know the difference between lortab and norco, he didn't know dosing for anything. Didn't know how to spell or pronounce any drugs, etc etc etc

work work work as you can

I've been working for 2+ years and I couldn't tell you the difference.

Norco is /325 and Lortab is IDK.

What's your point?

 

[owlegrad]

I've been working for 2+ years and I couldn't tell you the difference.

Norco is /325 and Lortab is IDK.

What's your point?

My thought process is similar to this. The difference is the amount of apap, right? Not the kind of thing I consider paramount to pharmacy education, to put it mildly.

 

[crazybob]

Difference is in the amounts of APAP. Lortab has 500 mg and Norco has 325 mg.

Those are common drugs, so being able to tell the difference and point out if it's weird when you are on the phone with a nurse or a doctor can help so that you don't attempt filling a prescription for a strength that doesn't exist.

I would recommend finding out how much you can handle and stick to it. Don't overwork yourself to the point of not being able to study because you signed up to work.

I would also recommend getting through the first round of exams and then figuring out how much you can really work while studying the amount you need.

You may have weeks where you work 5-10 hours. That's ok and I've done that before. Getting through pharmacy school and learning the material is more important.

 

[owlegrad]

Difference is in the amounts of APAP. Lortab has 500 mg and Norco has 325 mg.

Those are common drugs, so being able to tell the difference and point out if it's weird when you are on the phone with a nurse or a doctor can help so that you don't attempt filling a prescription for a strength that doesn't exist.

So if you had a script for Norco 5/500 would call to clarify or just dispense Lortab?

 

[crazybob]

So if you had a script for Norco 5/500 would call to clarify or just dispense Lortab?

I would be leaning towards HC/APAP 5-500. Prescribers would be less likely to mess up on the strength they want the patient to take, and more likely to choose the wrong name when they're writing Norco or Lortab.

 

[meister]

The fact that you ***holes can work during school and get paid pisses me off and if there is a single one of you that doesn't take advantage of that then **** *** ************.

 

[pharmschooler]

The fact that you ***holes can work during school and get paid pisses me off and if there is a single one of you that doesn't take advantage of that then **** *** ************.

It's not too late, you can still join us!

 

[rxlea]

An internship allows you to apply your knowledge so you don't forget all of it. My philosophy is to learn by doing. You will see things in practice that are different from the textbook. You will become familiar with common dosing, adverse effects, treatments, counseling points, among other things... It's really important to know how a pharmacy works (in general). All pharmacies are run a little bit differently but the basics are usually the same. If you have that knowledge going into IPPE and rotation, you will be a step ahead because you will be able to jump right in and make the most of your experience. Besides, the techs appreciate when you know how to give them a helping hand when it is crazy busy.

The money is decent as an intern as well. Having the extra income is a bonus.

 

[owlegrad]

I would be leaning towards HC/APAP 5-500. Prescribers would be less likely to mess up on the strength they want the patient to take, and more likely to choose the wrong name when they're writing Norco or Lortab.

So...if you would just dispense the correct ratio is it that important to know the difference?

 

[crazybob]

So...if you would just dispense the correct ratio is it that important to know the difference?

If the ratio wasn't there or if there was only one number present.

But I see what you're getting at.

 

[rxlea]

the other day I had a patient ask if her narc was the mallinkrodt (spl) brand. I poured a few into the cap and she exclaims, "Oh! There are those beautiful little M's! That other brand only lasts an hour!" That's some of the stuff you'll be missing without work experience

 

[owlegrad]

I would be leaning towards HC/APAP 5-500. Prescribers would be less likely to mess up on the strength they want the patient to take, and more likely to choose the wrong name when they're writing Norco or Lortab.

I agree.

If the ratio wasn't there or if there was only one number present.

But I see what you're getting at.

I am not saying that it is useless to know, only that it is not something that is ridiculous to not know off the top of your head. HC/APAP comes in what, 6-10 different strengths/ratios? I certainly don't know the brand names of all the different formulations. Hats off to you if you do sir.

 

[crazybob]

I agree.



I am not saying that it is useless to know, only that it is not something that is ridiculous to not know off the top of your head. HC/APAP comes in what, 6-10 different strengths/ratios? I certainly don't know the brand names of all the different formulations. Hats off to you if you do sir.

So I had a reply to this where I listed each strength that is fairly common and the Brand names for them and had it color-coded. Then I felt nerdy and wasn't sure about posting it.

 

[owlegrad]

So I had a reply to this where I listed each strength that is fairly common and the Brand names for them and had it color-coded. Then I felt nerdy and wasn't sure about posting it.

I do that all.the.time. Not so much with nerdy stuff, but if I am in a heated discussion or somethingI will type out a post and then think, "meh" and not post it. I always glance over my posts and often I decide against posting them. For example, I am not sure I am going to post this.

 

[deleted289008]

Thanks for all your input !

I'm definitely going to see how it goes and then apply! Whether they take me will be another matter haha.

 

[xiphoid2010]

Though obviously pharmacy work is preferable, would you say that all work experience during pharmacy school should be in a pharmacy? I'm just curious, as it might be tough to come by for some.

For residency, inpatient pharmacy experience > outpatient >> non-pharmacy >> no work.

 

[psychoandy]

Thanks for all your input !

I'm definitely going to see how it goes and then apply! Whether they take me will be another matter haha.

if you have 0 pharmacy experience, i would definitely try. connections are invaluable, as well as having the "tech perspective" of things. some of the biggest a-holes/nimrods i deal with somehow skipped the part of pharmacy school where you do scut like deal with DUR rejects or fill pyxis, and then complain about techs as an RPh.

also experience, resume builder, prereq for residency, etc.

 

[pharmschooler]

For residency, inpatient pharmacy experience > outpatient >> non-pharmacy >> no work.

Thanks!

 

[LazyMooch]

The fact that you ***holes can work during school and get paid pisses me off and if there is a single one of you that doesn't take advantage of that then **** *** ************.

Not only do I love this guy, I am also endlessly intrigued by trying to figure out the vulgarity behind his asterisks...

 

[universalcynic]

Not only do I love this guy, I am also endlessly intrigued by trying to figure out the vulgarity behind his asterisks...

I'm thinking f you motherf'er? I'm glad to be able to contribute substantially to this discussion.

 

[PharmaTope]

dont sacrifice your grades though if you can do well and still work and still not be burned out then work bc you will get experience that puts you ahead by far

 

[owlegrad]

dont sacrifice your grades though if you can do well and still work and still not be burned out then work bc you will get experience that puts you ahead by far

Who are you and what have you done with the real PharmaTope?

Seriously though, do you know you are almost at 1k posts?

 

[PharmaTope]

Who are you and what have you done with the real PharmaTope?

Seriously though, do you know you are almost at 1k posts?

haha i never paid attention, damn 1000 posts!!!


well seriously i wouldnt say sacrificing the grades to work but if they can keep it up, experience will be more valuable afterwards....... assuming socialism hasnt taken us how's that? lol

 

[Twinsmom]

Working experience is valuable! I'm glad I got a chance to step into Pharmacy 4 months before the school starts. In the past 2 and half months, I learned a lot! This working experience prepares me better for pharmacy school.
I will keep working during the school.