paitynn
What is the stress level of a pharmacist?
Hello my name is Paitynn and I'm currently enrolled in job corps to get my high school diploma and study pharmacy tech. My biggest question is what is the stress level like in this profession and would you recommend it? Also were would you start major wise to get to the farther education you would need? #pharmacy #pharmacist #medicine #pharmaceuticals
3 answers
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Pharmacists often find their stress levels fluctuating, influenced by their specific work environment and the duties they shoulder.
Pharmacists serve in diverse settings such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Each of these environments presents its own unique challenges and potential stress triggers.
Retail pharmacists frequently face high-stress situations due to extended work hours, inadequate staffing, and the constant pressure to accurately and promptly fill prescriptions. They often have to deal with demanding customers, insurance companies, and occasional medication shortages. A study by the American Pharmacists Association revealed that 86% of retail pharmacists reported experiencing moderate to severe stress at least once a week.
Hospital pharmacists, on the other hand, may find their stress levels elevated due to the critical nature of their role. They are tasked with ensuring patients receive the right medications promptly, a challenge in the fast-paced hospital environment. They may also have to manage intricate medication regimens for patients with multiple health conditions.
Regardless of their work environment, pharmacists are required to stay current with the latest medications and treatments, necessitating continuous education and training. They also need to maintain their licensure by completing continuing education courses and satisfying other requirements as stipulated by their state board of pharmacy.
Despite the profession's challenges and stressors, many pharmacists find their work fulfilling and take pleasure in assisting patients in managing their health. If you're considering a career as a pharmacist, you'll need to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program, which usually takes about four years. You can major in any field at the undergraduate level, but it's advisable to take courses in chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, and mathematics. Additionally, you'll need to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and fulfill other requirements as set by your state board of pharmacy to become a licensed pharmacist.
May God bless you!
James Constantine.
Scott Lason
Scott’s Answer
Pharmacists are dealing with people and their health and therefore there can be times when it is stressful. While nobody wants stress, I would say the gratification of helping patients and their sincere appreciation when a pharmacist is able to help them is more powerful and overcomes the stress involved. The most stressful is probably community pharmacy since you have patients in front of you and they are often in a hurry, but that does not make it less rewarding. If you manage your surroundings and lead your team, you can manage the stress by running a smooth operation that is ready for your patients. Pharmacists practice in many settings and one that has very low stress is mail order where you have little to no patient interaction.
In regards to what majors, you would want to look at the prerequisites for pharmacy schools in your 2 undergrad years and pick a major that aligns well. There is much chemistry and biological science in pharmacy school so degrees aligned to that are often helpful as you transition from your 2 to 4 years of bachelors work to the rigorous 4 years of doctorate work to become a pharmacist.
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David George
David’s Answer
Paitynn, pharmacy can be extremely stressful. A lot of multitasking. People waiting in line, to drop off and another line to pick up. People get anxious, even snappy when they cannot get their prescription on time, or have been out for a few days. I have also worked in pharmacies that were privately owned and were real laid back and not busy at all. I would only recommend being a tech., if you worked in a hospital pharmacy or a small privately owned one. The mainline retail ones, I would avoid at all costs. A friend of mine worked one day at a busy one and quit the same day, because it was so stressful. And she still had to pay off her pharmacy tech school. Go to Wikipedia and type in pharmacist. Then scroll to education. It will explain it to you. If you like pharmacy, still in the future, Pharm D/ Doctor of Pharmacy would be the best. I’ve never heard them complain that their job was too stressful.
Thank you very much for your comment it has helped me think about where I want to go after school.
paitynn