I am thinking of applying to an AA program and leaving pharmacy school if I get in. I’m a P1 at a private school and I have been doing well so far. I have been a tech for over 10 years and work for 2 major hospitals. One I know they will hire me once I graduate (no residency) and another I can easily get a residency at if I choose that route. I currently work at an oncology ambulatory infusion center where i work with pgy2 residents and they all look so stressed! I shadowed a CRNA a year ago and I thought anesthesia was exciting. I will always love pharmacy but the more money I want to make the further from patient care I will get (such as management or industry) and as an AA you have great earning potential and direct patient care. I knew I wouldn’t get accepted to an AA program, especially Emory’s bc they are so competitive and upon graduation I had a 2.9 gpa. If I can get into a program before my P3 year is it worth dropping out as a P2? Also is there a chance I can still get in if I have a good pharmacy school gpa?
Thinking of leaving pharmacy school
- Thread starter RXLife93
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Didn't we have a guy in a similar position? He went to PA school to Pharm.D. to AA? This was maybe 8 years ago.
Wow... you guys should talk!
Wow... you guys should talk!
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There’s no reason why you have to promote in pharmacy, and that’s assuming you can.
Given your lack of commitment though, I’d sit down and think this through. Most residents are stressed, they take a lot on, and the life decisions they deferred are all happening at the same time.
It’s why I find it especially funny when in 10 years, 43% of them end up in my office with me having to explain what a garnishment is and how you can’t interfere with such an order without losing your license (and the fact that retention bonuses won’t be paid anymore if you had them since we know you have to stay employed ).
People make decisions without thinking about the work it takes to make them happen nor the opportunity cost.
Given your lack of commitment though, I’d sit down and think this through. Most residents are stressed, they take a lot on, and the life decisions they deferred are all happening at the same time.
It’s why I find it especially funny when in 10 years, 43% of them end up in my office with me having to explain what a garnishment is and how you can’t interfere with such an order without losing your license (and the fact that retention bonuses won’t be paid anymore if you had them since we know you have to stay employed ).
People make decisions without thinking about the work it takes to make them happen nor the opportunity cost.
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If I could do it over again, I would've went for CRNA/MD.
If you're thinking about it now during your 1st yr of pharmd program, go ahead and apply to AA and if you get in, then quit pharmacy. Don't quit pharmacy without having a solid plan first.
From what I've seen, some AA make as much or more than pharmD, and the job seems far better imo.
If you're thinking about it now during your 1st yr of pharmd program, go ahead and apply to AA and if you get in, then quit pharmacy. Don't quit pharmacy without having a solid plan first.
From what I've seen, some AA make as much or more than pharmD, and the job seems far better imo.
I think they make more overall given there is a big shortage of anesthesia clinicians now.
I was talking an NP I work with who is the spouse of an AA where I work, and from what she told me, he makes over 200k with no overtime.
Anesthesiologists these day won't work for you if you don't pay them ~550-600k with at least 8 weeks vacation. That is how crazy the anesthesia market is right now.
Most CRNA make 250k+ easily working 40 hrs/wk.
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If it's not on paper, it doesn't exist.
I thought I was a shoe-in to get hired within the VA right after pharmacy school (pharmacy specialist during active duty service in the army, earned 10 pt. veteran preference when applying for position and scholarship in exchange for job-placement). I didn't get in.
Finished PGY-2 (amb. care focused) at a metropolitan VA site that works closely with contractors at a big University Healthcare Center w/promises I'd stay on full-time upon completion. Not only did I not get a spot, but I had to interview 10+ VA sites in the country due to a $1.8 billion budget constraint (very fortunate to have found a placement elsewhere in the country, but I had to take ~3 month break of no pay before securing a contract).
Folks lost jobs due to COVID, Organizations lost expansion due to retention constraints, and nobody can see what'll happen 2-3 years from now...
PGY-1 nearly killed me, and PGY-2 kept me numb (some good moments though). Id say you saw a glimpse of "embracing the suck" before seeing them crossing the finish line (oncology is a bit of a niche that has some potential).
I agree with this. I'd say you could also get direct patient care as a chiropractor, NP, PA, MD/DO. Continue to shadow and ask questions before making a pivotal career move (ie PA-to-Pharm-to-PA-to-AA-to-LMNOP).
Some pharmacy programs will actually allow you to earn a bachelors once you complete your first couple of years (B.S. in pharmaceutical science). One could consider leveraging that as earning your first (or second) bachelors and perhaps use that to build a strong undergrad GPA. Don't quote me though, I am not fully sure if you could simply pull-over your PharmD courses as "undergrad" courses if your program actually allows getting the bachelors.
I'd also pick the brains of the anesthesiologist folks on the physician forums and see what they think of AAs. Personally I think AA route seems promising and a bit interesting. I'd wonder if the battle exists between AAs vs CRNAs as the current one between NPs and PAs. I would at least go with a plan on how you'll successfully transition before dropping out (unless its for cash and no desire, in that case drop out). Red flag will exist on why you're pivoting away from one professional degree to another, but if you maintain as high of a GPA as you can their will always be options.
Anyway, that's my less-than-two-cents thought.
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You've invested a lot of time and effort already, and pharmacy still offers great opportunities for meaningful patient care, even if you end up in a non-clinical role. I think it's wise to keep exploring the AA path, but don't make any moves until you're 100% sure it's the right choice for you.
Talk to your advisors, do more shadowing, and really weigh the pros and cons. Leaving pharmacy school midway through could be a big risk. Make sure you have a solid plan in place before taking that step.
Talk to your advisors, do more shadowing, and really weigh the pros and cons. Leaving pharmacy school midway through could be a big risk. Make sure you have a solid plan in place before taking that step.
