Any pharmacists in here?

[SuikodenII]

How hard is it to become a pharmacist, I hear it's one of the most difficult schools to attend. How long did it take you? Do you work in retail or hospital setting? Likes/Dislikes?

I'm considering it, I got my pharmacy tech license off pure luck even though I studied (no school, just independent studying) cause that test was

 

[SuikodenII]

Anybody?

 

[OneManGang]

I'll partake. Not a pharmacist, but i was a pharm tech for a couple months and i have my bachelor's degree in chemistry, currently working on my masters degree in organic chemistry. I plan on taking the PCAT in a couple months in order to get into pharm school. Working at CVS though has definitely led me to not want to do retail pharmacy, even though they get paid the most. The job is too stressful, idiot customers, and you are highly replaceable in that setting. Big companies like CVS, Walgreens, etc. dont give two shyts about you and the field is so saturated right now they can get rid of anyone and find immediate replacements. They just care about the numbers and their profits. 12 hour shifts, no breaks, and regular weekend and holiday work. Definitely know that that is what you WANT to do. I've heard enough warnings from pharmacists and my own personal experiences to know this to be true. As for me, ill stick to research, hospital, or clinical pharmacy even though the paychecks arent as large. Med School isnt out of my realm of possibility either.

 

[Serious]

Working at CVS though has definitely led me to not want to do retail pharmacy, even though they get paid the most. The job is too stressful, idiot customers, and you are highly replaceable in that setting. Big companies like CVS, Walgreens, etc. dont give two shyts about you and the field is so saturated right now they can get rid of anyone and find immediate replacements. They just care about the numbers and their profits. 12 hour shifts, no breaks, and regular weekend and holiday work. Definitely know that that is what you WANT to do. I've heard enough warnings from pharmacists and my own personal experiences to know this to be true. As for me, ill stick to research, hospital, or clinical pharmacy even though the paychecks arent as large. Med School isnt out of my realm of possibility either.

But they don't hear you though...

especially the bolded...

 

[Reid2Achieve]

I'll partake. Not a pharmacist, but i was a pharm tech for a couple months and i have my bachelor's degree in chemistry, currently working on my masters degree in organic chemistry. I plan on taking the PCAT in a couple months in order to get into pharm school. Working at CVS though has definitely led me to not want to do retail pharmacy, even though they get paid the most. The job is too stressful, idiot customers, and you are highly replaceable in that setting. Big companies like CVS, Walgreens, etc. dont give two shyts about you and the field is so saturated right now they can get rid of anyone and find immediate replacements. They just care about the numbers and their profits. 12 hour shifts, no breaks, and regular weekend and holiday work. Definitely know that that is what you WANT to do. I've heard enough warnings from pharmacists and my own personal experiences to know this to be true. As for me, ill stick to research, hospital, or clinical pharmacy even though the paychecks arent as large. Med School isnt out of my realm of possibility either.

I've heard the same things. I haven't met any in Pharmacy that actually enjoy their jobs. It pays well, but if you can get into Med School you're better off doing something else that doesn't have you hating life.

 

[beenz]

if the cvs/walgreens jobs suck, how bout being a pharmacist in a hospital setting. that's gotta be decent right? at least no a$$hole customers for the most part.

 

[OneManGang]

if the cvs/walgreens jobs suck, how bout being a pharmacist in a hospital setting. that's gotta be decent right? at least no a$$hole customers for the most part.

Thats one of the avenues im currently looking into. Clinical pharmacy, or just being the pharmacist in the basement of the hospital that pushes pills for all the patients on a floor. Drawbacks I can think of are hours, and not as sizable pay as retail. Clinical pharmacy is probably the most fulfilling of them all. Nobody wants to be a pill pusher for their whole career. If you are interested i highly suggest you work in each setting before you regret it.

 

[SuikodenII]

Three things that are killing me about this are...

1) The cost
2) remembering 200 drug names, everything about them, and their generic name
3) Chemistry math

 

[AITheAnswerAI]

Three things that are killing me about this are...

1) The cost
2) remembering 200 drug names, everything about them, and their generic name
3) Chemistry math

How far along are you breh? Got that bachelors? Done any internships? Btw, the don't memorize all that shyt, i've seen then look information up before.

For me, the fact the most lucrative position is in a retail (hell) setting, turns me off of this profession. I'd much rather work in private practice, hospital or research settings.

 

[Jakarta]

1) The cost

Yeah, but as a pharmacist, you should be pulling in 6 figures so

 

[SuikodenII]

How far along are you breh? Got that bachelors? Done any internships? Btw, the don't memorize all that shyt, i've seen then look information up before.

For me, the fact the most lucrative position is in a retail (hell) setting, turns me off of this profession. I'd much rather work in private practice, hospital or research settings.

I got a bachelor's...but nothing in Pharmacology

it took me 5 years and I'd like to think I could pass the classes, but honestly after barely escaping the pharm tech test (after 2 months of studying independently) I'm shook

 

[OneManGang]

If you work in the pharmacy, drug names and uses are piece of cake. They literally become second nature. SO chill on that end. In couple weeks you'll be pretty knowledgeable on everything on the shelves that moves. Your other concerns are pretty minor too....not much upper level math involved in pharmacy. Pharm school really just gears you towards working. Pharmacology and actual drug design....the big boy stuff...is handled by guys with Ph.Ds and advanced degrees in the chemistry/bio fields. Most new drugs are actually being invented and discovered by either big pharmaceutical companies, or research universities. Honestly, like my post earlier said, if you REALLY want to worry...then worry about:

1)Doing well on the PCAT
2)Finding a job right away
3)Pushing pills living an unfulfilled life for the majority of your working life
4)Hating waking up everyday

Really know this is what you want.
@SuikodenII

 

[SuikodenII]

If you work in the pharmacy, drug names and uses are piece of cake. They literally become second nature. SO chill on that end. In couple weeks you'll be pretty knowledgeable on everything on the shelves that moves. Your other concerns are pretty minor too....not much upper level math involved in pharmacy. Pharm school really just gears you towards working. Pharmacology and actual drug design....the big boy stuff...is handled by guys with Ph.Ds and advanced degrees in the chemistry/bio fields. Most new drugs are actually being invented and discovered by either big pharmaceutical companies, or research universities. Honestly, like my post earlier said, if you REALLY want to worry...then worry about:

1)Doing well on the PCAT
2)Finding a job right away
3)Pushing pills living an unfulfilled life for the majority of your working life
4)Hating waking up everyday

Really know this is what you want.
@SuikodenII

I feel better reading this...what is the PCAT, and how well prepared does the schooling make you?

3 & 4 are already here breh

But for 6 figures, No Problemo Money buys me happiness

I would think 2 wouldn't be too bad but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it

 

[OneManGang]

I feel better reading this...what is the PCAT, and how well prepared does the schooling make you?

3 & 4 are already here breh

But for 6 figures, No Problemo Money buys me happiness

I would think 2 wouldn't be too bad but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it

PCAT is the pharmacy school entrance exam. Equivalent of the MCAT for med school. Money is cool breh but like I said the job is hell. Not deterring you at all, because I might be right there with you in 10 years, but just letting you know that the paycheck isnt always worth it. If you can specify your question, how well prepared does the schooling make you, I can answer that for you as well. 2 years of courses max can cover the pre reqs for most pharmacy schools as well.