Why Pharmacy?

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kennypowers

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I've been focusing my efforts for dental school but I have recently become interested in pharmacy school. So I'm asking all of you for reasons why you are interested in pharmacy.

...and what does a PharmD do?
 
kennypowers said:
I've been focusing my efforts for dental school but I have recently become interested in pharmacy school. So I'm asking all of you for reasons why you are interested in pharmacy.

...and what does a PharmD do?
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There's a lot of different things you can do with a PharmD, do some digging on that one, or go to a pharmacy school open house, they usually touch on that at some point during their presentations.

As for reasons, well...it's a very secure, safe profession. While other fields are experiencing severe cutbacks and leaving many people unemployed, the pharmacy field is experiencing as great of a demand as ever. That allows you, the PharmD holder, to have both job security and mobility. You don't ever have to go into work worrying about whether or not you're getting laid off, or worry about being able to provide for your family.

From the non-monetary perspective, pharmacists are respected members of the community. Lots of people are on various prescription drugs (especially now that the baby boomers are getting older), so there's the need for someone who knows all the information about what they're taking, since not having that information can lead to disastrous results (see: Heath Ledger). A pharmacist is a wealth of knowledge, so you're looked highly upon by your community.

Finally, tying back into your other question, there's a lot that you can do with a PharmD. The opportunities and possibilities are vast indeed, from community pharmacy to research to ambulatory care to clinical pharmacy to pharmacy law, and the list goes on. The sky literally is the limit if you have the knowledge and the degree to be a pharmacist.

So, essentially, it's a lucrative career with lots of security and stability that affords you the respect of your community along with a plethora of opportunities for your career. But, of course, the most important reason should be because you've looked into the field and the actual field itself is of interest to you.

...why couldn't I have come up with this good of an answer during my interview?! 😡
 
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You people are going to be miserable down the road if all you're chasing is the money.

BTW NaOH, that's one disturbing video.
 
bluesickle said:
You people are going to be miserable down the road if all you're chasing is the money.
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I don't understand this statement. You're implying that someone is defined by his or her job and that the job is their life. If a job defines one's life I agree I'd be miserable. But there are 16 other hours in a day that I look forward too other than a job and if I can make over 100k per year when I'm 26 I'll take it. Plus if I have a family down the road I appreciate the financial security pharmacy affords me compared to other jobs. I know I'll always have a job even if the economy takes a downturn.
 
BearDown said:
I don't understand this statement. You're implying that someone is defined by his or her job and that the job is their life. If a job defines one's life I agree I'd be miserable. But there are 16 other hours in a day that I look forward too other than a job and if I can make over 100k per year when I'm 26 I'll take it. Plus if I have a family down the road I appreciate the financial security pharmacy affords me compared to other jobs. I know I'll always have a job even if the economy takes a downturn.
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well, if you work a miserable job that pays well, it won't make you happy. That's certainly true for me after interning for walgreens in an "under privileged" neighborhood for while. I hate the clients regardless how much they pay me to work there. If I stick around for a few years, I have a feeling I'll be needing anti-depressants.

On the flip side, working a job that hardly pays you squat will definitely make you miserable. :laugh:
 
I work at Walgreens now and I totally agree its horrible. I can't stand retail pharmacy. Idk why anyone with a doctorate degree would work in such an underappreciated, stressful environment. That's one reason I'd like to GTFO of AZ and go to Hawaii --no Walgreens in Hilo.
 
BearDown said:
I work at Walgreens now and I totally agree its horrible. I can't stand retail pharmacy. Idk why anyone with a doctorate degree would work in such an underappreciated, stressful environment. That's one reason I'd like to GTFO of AZ and go to Hawaii --no Walgreens in Hilo.
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I am hoping to get a job at Target or Costco!!! I really hope they have openings when I graduate!!! I work at Walgreens now and I have never met this many low class idiots until I work here.....medicare, medicaid, lazy fat asses, you name it, I have seen it! :laugh:
 
NaOH said:
Yeah, guys, make me feel real excited about the chance to get to work for Walgreens...

<- has an interview tomorrow



👍
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I think it'll depend on which store you work at, which is probably the same case for CVS/Rite-Aid, whatever. Just be mindful of the things you see while at the interview to make your decision about working at the store.
 
NaOH said:
Yeah, guys, make me feel real excited about the chance to get to work for Walgreens...

<- has an interview tomorrow



👍
Click to expand...

be sure you find out which store you'll be working at. Often they don't interview you AT THAT store but where the district manager's at. So if you don't ask, don't be surprised if you get assigned to a ghetto, since so many people loooove to stay in those stores. :laugh:
 
I think I may be in the clear, I went to do the second half of the application and since they said I could do it anywhere, I went to the nearest store (about 2 minutes down the road). Seems that they're actually needing someone full-time there, but who knows. It seemed like a nice, quiet store.
 
BearDown said:
I don't understand this statement. You're implying that someone is defined by his or her job and that the job is their life. If a job defines one's life I agree I'd be miserable. But there are 16 other hours in a day that I look forward too other than a job and if I can make over 100k per year when I'm 26 I'll take it. Plus if I have a family down the road I appreciate the financial security pharmacy affords me compared to other jobs. I know I'll always have a job even if the economy takes a downturn.
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Do you really think money brings happiness? Would you peel potatoes for the rest of your life at 200k/yr? Heck, you'll have 16 other hours to look forward to and you'll make 200k at 22. 😍

I realize that you're too young to understand this but when I was 22, I sounded JUST like you. After I graduated, I got a job making really good money but once the paycheck started rolling in and I bought what I wanted, I stopped noticing how much I was making and started noticing how miserable life was in a field I wasn't interested in. Try waking up everyday to work a miserable job for the next 40 years and tell me you still have 16 other good hours at your disposal.
 
I don't think there is anything wrong with pursuing a career in part for the money. Even if the money is a major factor in your decision. Fact is the happiness from the money will only get them so far. But, I know that money is one of my reasons.

However, going through the application process, waiting, interviewing, waiting, and finally deciding where to attend is not easy. It takes a lot of effort and thought. I think it would take a master liar to put it into words (at least 3 times - PharmCAS essay, friends/family inquiries, and interviews...minimum) why you want to be a pharmacist and not have some desire to serve people. It is the easy thing to say that you are doing it for the money. Some people just aren't the type to say they are doing it to help the patients publicly.

Congrats to everyone for the hard work to go through this gruelling process!
 
The approach I take is still sort of mercenary - I don't deny I'm attracted by the excellent pay and relative job security - but at the end of the day, I'd rather be able to do all that and feel like I've done something to help make other people's lives a bit easier/better, as opposed to making money in a less ethical manner - professional hitman, insurance executive (d'ohoho), etc.

That can't be too big of a sin, can it?

@bluesickle - $200k for peeling potatoes? Where do I sign up? 😀
 
bluesickle said:
Do you really think money brings happiness? Would you peel potatoes for the rest of your life at 200k/yr? Heck, you'll have 16 other hours to look forward to and you'll make 200k at 22. 😍

I realize that you're too young to understand this but when I was 22, I sounded JUST like you. After I graduated, I got a job making really good money but once the paycheck started rolling in and I bought what I wanted, I stopped noticing how much I was making and started noticing how miserable life was in a field I wasn't interested in. Try waking up everyday to work a miserable job for the next 40 years and tell me you still have 16 other good hours at your disposal.
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Yes money brings happiness...the fact is most people want to do things that are actually FUN, but FUN doesn't pay money...I don't know anyone that is paid to have FUN except for Paris Hilton and other celebrities...now they have the life that I always envy to tell you the truth, but I know I will never be able to be like Hilton or someone like that so I will have to so something that pays a decent amount (again a pharmacists makes pretty good money but its fair from "rich") and I will actually have to WORK.

ALL JOBS (especially decent paying ones) requires you TO WORK and not have FUN. Sorry. So yes, everyone's passion is fun like traveling, shopping, laying out at the beach, exercising, relaxing, modeling, swimming, tennis, ballet, dancing, watching TV. ETC....
ALL the above is my passion, but does any of it make MONEY? HELL NO, they all COST me money! :laugh: so I will have to WORK (of course no one wants to do it! 🙄) but most people don't have a choice.

And hell yeah I will rather peel potatoes for 200k a year then pharmacist for 120K a year!!! :laugh: 1) LESS stressful 2) don't have to deal with idiots 3) don't have to take out any student loans....and the list goes on! 😉
 
SHC1984 said:
And hell yeah I will rather peel potatoes for 200k a year then pharmacist for 120K a year!!! :laugh: 1) LESS stressful 2) don't have to deal with idiots 3) don't have to take out any student loans....and the list goes on! 😉
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LOL, I give you 1 year before you give up on peeling potatoes. :laugh:
Seriously, imagine yourself peeling potatoes for the next 40 years in a room all by your lonesome self. I guarantee you that you will go crazy after you get over the initial shock of making 200k/yr. How about cleaning outhouses for 500k/yr? 😍

Anyway, let me clarify my statement. I'm not saying money shouldn't be a factor, or a major factor in our case, when choosing a career but it shouldn't be the only thing that appeals to you about the profession. There should be few aspects about pharmacy that appeals to you or else you'll be miserable. I have a friend who hates working with people who is solely going into the profession for the money and she wants to work retail after she graduates. My take on her decision is that she'll be yet another one of those cranky retail pharmacists who seem angry all the time.
 
bluesickle said:
LOL, I give you 1 year before you give up on peeling potatoes. :laugh:
Seriously, imagine yourself peeling potatoes for the next 40 years in a room all by your lonesome self. I guarantee you that you will go crazy after you get over the initial shock of making 200k/yr. How about cleaning outhouses for 500k/yr? 😍

Anyway, let me clarify my statement. I'm not saying money shouldn't be a factor, or a major factor in our case, when choosing a career but it shouldn't be the only thing that appeals to you about the profession. There should be few aspects about pharmacy that appeals to you or else you'll be miserable. I have a friend who hates working with people who is solely going into the profession for the money and she wants to work retail after she graduates. My take on her decision is that she'll be yet another one of those cranky retail pharmacists who seem angry all the time.
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Depends! If I work 40 hours or LESS a week then I would definetly peel potatoes for the rest of my life. I mean its soooo stress free and easy AND I have soooooo much free time left to do things I actually LIKE. SO if I get to work 40 or less hours a week I will do it for 200K a year! However if I had to work like 100 hours week or something crazy like that then NO I won't do it b/c then you are right I will go crazy bc thats ALL I do! :laugh:

I will NEVER do any nasty jobs like cleaning anything or work outdoors or touching people. etc...too gross! 500K isn't enough.

I understand your point you have to pick something that you can at least tolerate or like...if not then you will be miserable...(like me working outdoors...that would suck no matter how much money I make!) However, my point is MOST PEOPLE can't get the job that they want! If we could all do want we really wanted it would be FUN things like travel, acting, modeling, personal fitness trainer, partying...something FUN or something that makes really BIG bucks like being a movie star...those are the things that everyone wants but we can't get it so we have to settle for something that we don't really like as much...I bet your friend have passions in things that she just can't do, therefore she has to settle for something else that pays somewhat decent.

She should work in mail order. Thats what I am considering. I don't really like dealing with *****s all day either (NO one does! you will be lying if you say you like it! :laugh:), but I don't mind verifing scripts, typing in scripts or filling... So I am looking into mail order to avoid the *****s...you should tell your friend to do mail order too. 😉
 
I'll clean toilets for 500k with a smile on my face


jk
 
tprice108 said:
I'll clean toilets for 500k with a smile on my face


jk
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you got that right...ok maybe not smiling...and depends...is there a minimum amount of toilets needed to be cleaned? (start on one in the morning and finish cleaning it 7 hours later)
 
I have a pharmacist friend, who wished he went through dentistry instead. He likes to see the before and after of his work. That's all I know about it.

I rather be in pharmacy for less money than cleaning toilets or peeling potatoes. I honestly cannot stand droning labor. 😴 I would probably question my existence. However, with options of making choices and having that extensive knowledge of drugs is pretty interesting to me. People can come up to ask you what is the best over the counter drug for "this"? To me, it will probably be fun explaining to people how to take prescription, what it does (if interested), etc. Also, it's just that wholesome good feeling 😀. Like... when you help an elderly and you're patient with the elderly explaining what to do. That person NEEEDS you to explain to them specifically what to do to take their medications. You help them move on with their lives to concentrate on the more important aspects, rather than staying behind taking care of an illness.

Also, if you have any interest in research, you can contribute a LOT to society. We have so many diseases without cure that needs more brain power! 😀 It's up to our generation to keep up the research to completely cure Alzheimers, maybe prevent cancer, many things! The pharmacy field is extensible.

Pharmacy allows you to contribute to something a lot bigger than yourself in my opinion. Most likely, so does dentistry! I just don't know anything about dentistry 😉

I can go on, but also, economy does affect pharmacy. Target as least in my region are starting to change their second full-time pharmacists into part-time pharmacists.

Yes, pharmacists do make good money, but so does a lot of professions. Of course, the most recommended thing to do would most likely be to talk and to shadow a pharmacist and dentist. 😛
 
k00618 said:
I have a pharmacist friend, who wished he went through dentistry instead. He likes to see the before and after of his work. That's all I know about it.

I rather be in pharmacy for less money than cleaning toilets or peeling potatoes. I honestly cannot stand droning labor. 😴 I would probably question my existence. However, with options of making choices and having that extensive knowledge of drugs is pretty interesting to me. People can come up to ask you what is the best over the counter drug for "this"? To me, it will probably be fun explaining to people how to take prescription, what it does (if interested), etc. Also, it's just that wholesome good feeling 😀. Like... when you help an elderly and you're patient with the elderly explaining what to do. That person NEEEDS you to explain to them specifically what to do to take their medications. You help them move on with their lives to concentrate on the more important aspects, rather than staying behind taking care of an illness.

Also, if you have any interest in research, you can contribute a LOT to society. We have so many diseases without cure that needs more brain power! 😀 It's up to our generation to keep up the research to completely cure Alzheimers, maybe prevent cancer, many things! The pharmacy field is extensible.

Pharmacy allows you to contribute to something a lot bigger than yourself in my opinion. Most likely, so does dentistry! I just don't know anything about dentistry 😉

I can go on, but also, economy does affect pharmacy. Target as least in my region are starting to change their second full-time pharmacists into part-time pharmacists.

Yes, pharmacists do make good money, but so does a lot of professions. Of course, the most recommended thing to do would most likely be to talk and to shadow a pharmacist and dentist. 😛
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- You need to explain to them how to use the drug? I thought the direction was written on the drug container.
- People wouldn't ask you what is the best counter drug for "this" because they would be more likely to listen to their personal doctors than you as a pharmacist (doctor is the one prescribes you medicine by the way, so he got a whole bunch of knowledge in regard to medicine too)
- If you wanna do research? Why not become a PhD? I guarantee you will be more into research if you have a PhD degree. (Also think bout what you would do after 4yrs in pharm school, would an employer hire you or a PhD person to run their researches??)

If I were interviewing you, how could you encounter my words?
 
horo1988 said:
- You need to explain to them how to use the drug? I thought the direction was written on the drug container.
- People wouldn't ask you what is the best counter drug for "this" because they would be more likely to listen to their personal doctors than you as a pharmacist (doctor is the one prescribes you medicine by the way, so he got a whole bunch of knowledge in regard to medicine too)
- If you wanna do research? Why not become a PhD? I guarantee you will be more into research if you have a PhD degree. (Also think bout what you would do after 4yrs in pharm school, would an employer hire you or a PhD person to run their researches??)

If I were interviewing you, how could you encounter my words?
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I thought I was done with my interviews. I'll answer them how I would in an interview, anyways. 🙂

It's always good to explain the directions especially if it's the first time a person is taking a controlled substance or birth control just for clarification. You can ask them.. have you used this before? They might have questions about whether or not they need to take the placebo pills and why it would be beneficial. Also, with the elderly, most elderly want you to explain to them how to take their medication. Those with impaired eyesight or illiterate or speak another language may need you to explain directions, (and if the directions are written in a language they cant read)
Also, nowadays, overdosing on prescription medication is a HUGE issue. Therefore, it is important to clarify with your patient how to take the medication and to NOT take anymore than what's prescribed by telling them explicitly the direct directions (for per hour/ per day.. etc.)

If they do not ask about the over the counter drugs that's fine. However, some people may come in with a bad headache, such as a college student, who doesn't know which medication to choose. The college student may not be used to taking medication. Generally, you do not go to the doctor for a headache, but you could ask your pharmacist which medication for headache would be the best for that person. Of course, I am only a pre-pharmacy student, so I would think I would just suggest the generic brand. That may change once I get more knowledge and experience.

And I personally want to become involved with research. However, I, also, want that experience in retail or clinical pharmacy to just be interactive with patients. I think it's wonderful that the pharmaceutical field is very extensive and with a pharmD, you have so many options! You can advance from one field to a different field. That is why PharmD. With a PharmD, you can do a lot and not solely stay with research. I would've just gotten a bachelors degree in biology if I only wanted to do research.
I believe with more experience, such as working in drug information in John Hopkins hospital, and other areas and again, with that extensive knowledge of drugs could land you the job over a person with a PhD in a pharmaceutical company.

Those are most likely not the best answers, but I did my best. Hope I get accepted. 😀
 
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k00618 said:
I thought I was done with my interviews. I'll answer them how I would in an interview, anyways. 🙂

It's always good to explain the directions especially if it's the first time a person is taking a controlled substance or birth control just for clarification. You can ask them.. have you used this before? They might have questions about whether or not they need to take the placebo pills and why it would be beneficial. Also, with the elderly, most elderly want you to explain to them how to take their medication. Those with impaired eyesight or illiterate or speak another language may need you to explain directions, (and if the directions are written in a language they cant read)
Also, nowadays, overdosing on prescription medication is a HUGE issue. Therefore, it is important to clarify with your patient how to take the medication and to NOT take anymore than what's prescribed by telling them explicitly the direct directions (for per hour/ per day.. etc.)

If they do not ask about the over the counter drugs that's fine. However, some people may come in with a bad headache, such as a college student, who doesn't know which medication to choose. The college student may not be used to taking medication. Generally, you do not go to the doctor for a headache, but you could ask your pharmacist which medication for headache would be the best for that person. Of course, I am only a pre-pharmacy student, so I would think I would just suggest the generic brand. That may change once I get more knowledge and experience.

And I personally want to become involved with research. However, I, also, want that experience in retail or clinical pharmacy to just be interactive with patients. I think it's wonderful that the pharmaceutical field is very extensive and with a pharmD, you have so many options! You can advance from one field to a different field. That is why PharmD. With a PharmD, you can do a lot and not solely stay with research. I would've just gotten a bachelors degree in biology if I only wanted to do research.
I believe with more experience, such as working in drug information in John Hopkins hospital, and other areas and again, with that extensive knowledge of drugs could land you the job over a person with a PhD in a pharmaceutical company.

Those are most likely not the best answers, but I did my best. Hope I get accepted. 😀
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😀 I'm glad you seriously respond my opinions.

I condense all your words into 3 points:
1/ Giving directions to elder people who are eyesight impaired or illiterate in English.
2/ People in general would go ask a pharmacist for common illness.
3/ PharmD with experience can win a PhD in pharmaceutical.

- I half agree with you on the first point because we are not ONLY dealing with impaired people or people who speak fluently in a different language.

- Yes, I agree that you can suggest them what kind of drug they should get, but they would not believe you as much as their personal doctors. When it comes to something really important and really affect their health (e.g one might have a very serious illness), they will consider who would be more trustful, a pharmacist or a doctor?

- I still believe a PhD in pharmaceutical would land you a job more likely than a PharmD with retail exp

A new PharmD graduate needs to do residency if he or she wants to do research. Otherwise, they can only work in retail.
 
SHC1984 said:
Depends! If I work 40 hours or LESS a week then I would definetly peel potatoes for the rest of my life. I mean its soooo stress free and easy AND I have soooooo much free time left to do things I actually LIKE. SO if I get to work 40 or less hours a week I will do it for 200K a year! However if I had to work like 100 hours week or something crazy like that then NO I won't do it b/c then you are right I will go crazy bc thats ALL I do! :laugh:

I will NEVER do any nasty jobs like cleaning anything or work outdoors or touching people. etc...too gross! 500K isn't enough.

I understand your point you have to pick something that you can at least tolerate or like...if not then you will be miserable...(like me working outdoors...that would suck no matter how much money I make!) However, my point is MOST PEOPLE can't get the job that they want! If we could all do want we really wanted it would be FUN things like travel, acting, modeling, personal fitness trainer, partying...something FUN or something that makes really BIG bucks like being a movie star...those are the things that everyone wants but we can't get it so we have to settle for something that we don't really like as much...I bet your friend have passions in things that she just can't do, therefore she has to settle for something else that pays somewhat decent.

She should work in mail order. Thats what I am considering. I don't really like dealing with *****s all day either (NO one does! you will be lying if you say you like it! :laugh:), but I don't mind verifing scripts, typing in scripts or filling... So I am looking into mail order to avoid the *****s...you should tell your friend to do mail order too. 😉
Click to expand...


You were accepted in pharmacy school right? I don't know what kind of shenanigans you pulled on your interviewers and the admissions committee, but I hope you find out why it is pharmacy is the choice for you while you are studying for all your exams. As I see it right now, you took a spot from someone else that wants to make a difference as a pharmacist. From reading alot of your previous posts, its obvious this is some sort of easy money route for you and prestige is all that matters in life.
 
horo1988 said:
😀 I'm glad you seriously respond my opinions.

I condense all your words into 3 points:
1/ Giving directions to elder people who are eyesight impaired or illiterate in English.
2/ People in general would go ask a pharmacist for common illness.
3/ PharmD with experience can win a PhD in pharmaceutical.

- I half agree with you on the first point because we are not ONLY dealing with impaired people or people who speak fluently in a different language.

- Yes, I agree that you can suggest them what kind of drug they should get, but they would not believe you as much as their personal doctors. When it comes to something really important and really affect their health (e.g one might have a very serious illness), they will consider who would be more trustful, a pharmacist or a doctor?

- I still believe a PhD in pharmaceutical would land you a job more likely than a PharmD with retail exp

A new PharmD graduate needs to do residency if he or she wants to do research. Otherwise, they can only work in retail.
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😀 I tried my best! This is just out of my knowledge, and we all have different experiences. That third question you ask.. lol.. I do not have experience in that; however, I would assume with all these pharmaceutical companies researching all these different drug treatments would have a lot of knowledgeable pharmacists contributing to their research. Concerning someone with a PhD, honestly, I do not know the background of a person with a PhD.

If it's a disease, I agree they would most likely get prescription from their doctors. If anything physicians may work with hospital pharmacists to determine the best medication for their patient. However, I understand what you mean that doctors also have extensive knowledge with drugs. However, if it's over the counter, such as vitamins and minerals, and they can't afford to go to the doctor. If they would like to ask a pharmacist, I'm sure a pharmacist is there to answer questions. My mom did it 😀.

At the pharmacy I volunteer at, I shadow the pharmacist who counsels the patient, and the pharmacists still tells them what they need to do despite instructions on the label to all literate college students, then asks if the patient may have any questions. This is at one pharmacy, however. May be different at other pharmacies.
 
Aw.. and OP is still pre-dental. lol best of luck 👍 You'll do great!
 
Texas PharmDoc said:
You were accepted in pharmacy school right? I don't know what kind of shenanigans you pulled on your interviewers and the admissions committee, but I hope you find out why it is pharmacy is the choice for you while you are studying for all your exams. As I see it right now, you took a spot from someone else that wants to make a difference as a pharmacist. From reading alot of your previous posts, its obvious this is some sort of easy money route for you and prestige is all that matters in life.
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I am gorgeous; no other effort is needed. 😉
 
jvanewportnews said:
you got that right...ok maybe not smiling...and depends...is there a minimum amount of toilets needed to be cleaned? (start on one in the morning and finish cleaning it 7 hours later)
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If you're still around, did you get my clever trick on the bottom of my post.
 
IrishHammer said:
So, essentially, it's a lucrative career with lots of security and stability that affords you the respect of your community along with a plethora of opportunities for your career. But, of course, the most important reason should be because you've looked into the field and the actual field itself is of interest to you.
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Exactly my reasons for wanting to be a pharmacist 👍
Job security and stability along with a nice salary that will provide for my family AND doing something that helps people (without all the blood and guts) sounds like a pretty awesome career to me. Nearly everyone has some use for a pharmacist at some point in their lives, I want to feel good about myself for helping people.

And people, money is nice, but it WILL NOT buy you happiness. I feel sorry for some of you... but you'll figure it out eventually.
 
I have recommended pharmacy to many of my friends.

Benefits:
-Attractive income
-Flexible scheduling
-Very family-friendly, ex. i know 1 rph who is able to spend the majority of time with her newborn because she only works 2 to 10 saturday and sunday. As her baby grows up, she can add more hours.
-No being 'on call'
-You can be done at 24 (2 yrs undergrad+4 yrs Pharm.D). There are even some 2+3 programs
-All you have to do is show up (no bringing home work with you)
-Consulting patients and helping them make better decisions is rewarding
-No physical contact with patients, no blood. This aspect isn't a 'benefit' for me but some of my rph friends say they were premed but hated blood.

The only thing for me is that I'm a little 'burnt out' on pharmacy since I worked full time during undergrad at a pharmacy. I couldn't imagine doing it forever.

You also have to ask yourself the question: would i do this job for $30,000/yr? With teaching, I felt that way...I really enjoy it.

But for pharmacy, my answer right now is definitely 'no'. Sometimes when we are doing 800 rxs/day i feel bad for the rph...all i see him doing is hitting 'enter' on the computer and stapling the bag...800 times.
 
free09 said:
I have recommended pharmacy to many of my friends.

Benefits:
-Attractive income
-Flexible scheduling
-Very family-friendly, ex. i know 1 rph who is able to spend the majority of time with her newborn because she only works 2 to 10 saturday and sunday. As her baby grows up, she can add more hours.
-No being 'on call'
-You can be done at 24 (2 yrs undergrad+4 yrs Pharm.D). There are even some 2+3 programs
-All you have to do is show up (no bringing home work with you)
-Consulting patients and helping them make better decisions is rewarding
-No physical contact with patients, no blood. This aspect isn't a 'benefit' for me but some of my rph friends say they were premed but hated blood.

The only thing for me is that I'm a little 'burnt out' on pharmacy since I worked full time during undergrad at a pharmacy. I couldn't imagine doing it forever.

You also have to ask yourself the question: would i do this job for $30,000/yr? With teaching, I felt that way...I really enjoy it.

But for pharmacy, my answer right now is definitely 'no'. Sometimes when we are doing 800 rxs/day i feel bad for the rph...all i see him doing is hitting 'enter' on the computer and stapling the bag...800 times.
Click to expand...

Hell I don't mind filling, I don't mind stapling, and I definetly don't mind being on the computer at all.
What I don't like about retail pharmacy is people asking me stupid questions and having to call doctors, insurance companies, etc etc. b/c people are too lazy to do their own work. If you don't have anymore refills left ITS YOUR DAMN JOB TO CALL THE DOCTOR AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE HIM. NOT MY JOB! WTF!!!
 
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