tech to intern to pharmacist??

[pyxisdust]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Question. I am graduating from pharmacy school this May and still looking for jobs. I am getting really worried because I have had two phone interviews (metropolitan areas) and no callbacks. I prefer to work in a east coast metropolitan area and it seems there are more tech jobs available in these areas than pharm intern or pharmacist jobs. I am really thinking of applying to tech jobs just so I can start paying off some of my loans after graduation and make ends meet.
My question is, has anyone here ever graduated, worked as a pharmacy tech and worked up to intern/pharmacist? Is this even possible???

 

[Mounjaro]

I prefer to work in a east coast metropolitan area

Rural areas are where the need for pharmacists are at, but other then that, if you're serious, no. I have never heard of a pharmacy grad student (having passed the NAPLEX and law exams) working as a tech after graduating and going to pharmacist.

There's a thread buried deep in here that covers all of this, most people who graduate with their PharmD. work as graduate interns (pay is 1/2 of what a pharmacist salary is) until their NAPLEX and law exams are passed. From this point they are then working as a pharmacist with the company. If you worked as a pharmacy intern during your time in pharmacy school you should be in a good place as I've known most companies to ensure job offers to those who have worked with them before. At least in my area they do. However, your first major concern is passing the NAPLEX and your state's (or whatever state you plan on working in) law exam.

With that being said, I've heard of intern's who had a job secured with their company and didn't pass the NAPLEX or law exam and had their job offer rescinded, so I guess it makes you more of a commodity if you have those out of the way first. Otherwise I wouldn't be concerned with looking for a job at the moment.

 

[pyxisdust]

Otherwise I wouldn't be concerned with looking for a job at the moment.

Hey Ph4rmacistJ, appreciate the reply. By the above quote I think you you saying that in comparison to passing the naplex, looking for a job is not as important? I wish I could see it that way but with the bills I have I am having trouble doing that. Every day that I don't have a job lined up, my stress level increases a couple notches and I am finding it increasingly hard to focus on studying for the Naplex.!!!!!!!

My unsuccessful job interviews have left me questioning my entire decision to enter pharmacy school. On top of everything I suffer from some depression. It is just not a good time for me and I'm preparing for a complete mental breakdown.

I haven't worked as an intern during school (I looked but no success) but I have a lot of hospital tech experience plus a little retail tech experience prior to entering school + 2 undergrad degrees. Do you think it would be smart to work as a tech as I search for grad intern/pharmacist jobs?? I guess right now I am wondering if that is even possible..