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What are the steps to become a pharmacist or anesthesiologist?

Currently, I'm interested in becoming a pharmacist or anesthesiologist, but I'd like to know more about these careers. #pharmacists #anesthesiology

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Mark’s Answer

Hi Tracey!

To become a pharmacist, after you earn your high school diploma, it will take six to eight more years of school to become a pharmacist. That doesn't include getting licensed which is the final step in completing the educational requirements to be a pharmacist. To become a pharmacist, you'll need to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) from a school or college of pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. PharmD programs typically take four years to complete, but some offer accelerated. Some pharmacy schools accept students directly from high school. Other programs require you to complete two years before admission to the PharmD program. Many schools prefer students to have a bachelor's degree before applying to their PharmD programs.
To compare PharmD programs check https://www.pharmcas.org/school-directory/explore-and-compare

In general, anesthesiologists must complete a four-year bachelors' degree, a four-year medical degree, and four years of residency. From there, they must pass the national Board exam, complete a fellowship program or spend two years in private practice, acquire certification, and take a licensing exam.
How to Become an Anesthesiologist - Here's a good link https://thebestschools.org/careers/anesthesiologist-overview/

Mark recommends the following next steps:

Research the Pros & Cons of both Pharmacist and Anesthesiologist
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Valerie’s Answer

Hi Tracey,
To become a pharmacist: graduate high school, go to college for 4 years, go to pharmacy school for 4 years, although some colleges (like purdue university) offer programs that are accelerated and you can get your pharm degree in a total of 6 years.

to become an anesthesiologist: you need to graduate high school, attend a 4 year college, take and score well on the MCAT (medical school admission test), then medical school for 4 years, and then a residency (you get paid during this time, but you need supervision and extra training), this is typically 3-4 years.

If I were you, I would try to shadow a pharmacist and anesthesiologist to see what their day-day life is like and see which one you like more. An anesthesiologist does not have a ton of patient interaction because you are with the patient when they are sedated in the OR, but you can check in on the patient in pre-op and post-op (before and after surgery). A pharmacist can just work with medications, or they can also work with patients as well (like in a CVS).
Best of luck
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