4 answers
Daniela
Student
Doral, Florida
2
Questions
Asked
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I am between pharmacy school or medicine school and I feel I like both careers, how to decide?
I need to decide soon since I have to decide which Kaplan test practice I have to take and I don’t have financial support to take both test preparations #help #careerchoice
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4 answers
Sarah White
Respiratory Therapist, Marriage and Family Therapy
24
Answers
Gainesville, Virginia
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Medical school is a more well rounded route. You learn about a lot of subjects and work with patients with many illnesses. Pharmacology is very centered on medications and math and chemistry, without much interaction with patients. Do you enjoy learning about the human body or do you like chemical reactions and math?? Hope this helps a little.
Ken Simmons
Assist with Recognizing and Developing Potential
1695
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Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Ken’s Answer
Selecting a career is a very interesting challenge, which involves getting to know yourself as the first step. During my years in college recruiting, I encountered too many graduates who, when on the job, found that they did not like the practical application of what they had studied. If they had taken the time and made the effort to get to know themselves first and then find out how their personality traits matched with people in various career ares, they might have made better decisions.
Ken recommends the following next steps:
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
845
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Daniela,
I used to work at a pharmaceutical company. When talking with pharmacists, you find out quickly that they know a lot about medicine, all kinds of medicine. It is their specialty. They spend eight years focused on this one subject, drugs. They can certainly tell you more about medicines than say a general practitioner who has to know a lot more about stuff beyond drugs to help with certain conditions.
It is obvious you care about the health of people. I suppose the question that I would ask you is - how do you want to interact with patients? I have had a friend saved from a potentially life threatening combination of drugs by a sharp-eyed pharmacist. And I know many physicians - from eye doctors to general practitioners - who have helped me live a healthy life.
Gloria
I used to work at a pharmaceutical company. When talking with pharmacists, you find out quickly that they know a lot about medicine, all kinds of medicine. It is their specialty. They spend eight years focused on this one subject, drugs. They can certainly tell you more about medicines than say a general practitioner who has to know a lot more about stuff beyond drugs to help with certain conditions.
It is obvious you care about the health of people. I suppose the question that I would ask you is - how do you want to interact with patients? I have had a friend saved from a potentially life threatening combination of drugs by a sharp-eyed pharmacist. And I know many physicians - from eye doctors to general practitioners - who have helped me live a healthy life.
Gloria
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6183
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Daniela!
ME:-
You have the power to shape your path. If you choose to become both a medical doctor and a pharmacist, you can write and fill your prescriptions! This puts you in a uniquely advantageous position! You will probably end up mayor! Many country locations would esteem your residency there as a community asset!
AI:-
Deciding Between Pharmacy School and Medical School
When choosing between pharmacy school and medical school, it's crucial to weigh several factors. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make an informed decision:
1. Self-Reflection:
Think about your interests, values, and career aspirations. What aspects of healthcare excite you the most?
Assess your strengths and weaknesses. Do you lean more towards patient care, research, or a mix of both?
2. Research:
Investigate both pharmacy and medicine as careers. Know the roles, responsibilities, and career trajectories in each field.
Look into the educational prerequisites, training duration, job prospects, salary potential, and work-life balance in both professions.
3. Gain Experience:
Shadow professionals in both pharmacy and medicine to experience their daily routines and patient interactions.
Volunteer or work in healthcare settings to understand different aspects of each profession and see which one aligns more with your interests.
4. Seek Guidance:
Speak with academic advisors, career counselors, mentors, or healthcare professionals for insights and advice on choosing between pharmacy and medicine.
Reach out to current pharmacy and medical students to hear about their experiences and viewpoints on their respective fields.
5. Consider Your Lifestyle:
Reflect on your preferred work environment, schedule flexibility, advancement opportunities, and personal priorities when choosing between pharmacy and medicine.
Consider how each profession aligns with your lifestyle choices in terms of work hours, stress levels, job stability, and overall job satisfaction.
6. Financial Considerations:
Consider the financial implications of attending pharmacy school versus medical school. Think about tuition costs, student loans, post-graduation earning potential, and available financial aid options.
Look for scholarship opportunities or alternative funding sources that could help offset the financial burden of Kaplan exam preparations.
The decision between pharmacy school and medical school should be based on a mix of factors that matter to you, both personally and professionally. Take your time to consider your options before making a final decision that aligns with your career goals in healthcare.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP): Provides valuable insights into pharmacy education programs, career opportunities in pharmacy practice, and trends in the pharmaceutical industry.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Offers comprehensive information on medical education pathways, admission requirements for medical schools, physician workforce data, and resources for aspiring physicians.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Provides detailed occupational outlooks for pharmacists and physicians/surgeons, including data on job prospects, salary information, educational requirements, and industry trends.
These sources were crucial in providing accurate information on the fields of pharmacy and medicine to assist in making an informed decision regarding career choices in healthcare.
God Bless!
JC.
ME:-
You have the power to shape your path. If you choose to become both a medical doctor and a pharmacist, you can write and fill your prescriptions! This puts you in a uniquely advantageous position! You will probably end up mayor! Many country locations would esteem your residency there as a community asset!
AI:-
Deciding Between Pharmacy School and Medical School
When choosing between pharmacy school and medical school, it's crucial to weigh several factors. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make an informed decision:
1. Self-Reflection:
Think about your interests, values, and career aspirations. What aspects of healthcare excite you the most?
Assess your strengths and weaknesses. Do you lean more towards patient care, research, or a mix of both?
2. Research:
Investigate both pharmacy and medicine as careers. Know the roles, responsibilities, and career trajectories in each field.
Look into the educational prerequisites, training duration, job prospects, salary potential, and work-life balance in both professions.
3. Gain Experience:
Shadow professionals in both pharmacy and medicine to experience their daily routines and patient interactions.
Volunteer or work in healthcare settings to understand different aspects of each profession and see which one aligns more with your interests.
4. Seek Guidance:
Speak with academic advisors, career counselors, mentors, or healthcare professionals for insights and advice on choosing between pharmacy and medicine.
Reach out to current pharmacy and medical students to hear about their experiences and viewpoints on their respective fields.
5. Consider Your Lifestyle:
Reflect on your preferred work environment, schedule flexibility, advancement opportunities, and personal priorities when choosing between pharmacy and medicine.
Consider how each profession aligns with your lifestyle choices in terms of work hours, stress levels, job stability, and overall job satisfaction.
6. Financial Considerations:
Consider the financial implications of attending pharmacy school versus medical school. Think about tuition costs, student loans, post-graduation earning potential, and available financial aid options.
Look for scholarship opportunities or alternative funding sources that could help offset the financial burden of Kaplan exam preparations.
The decision between pharmacy school and medical school should be based on a mix of factors that matter to you, both personally and professionally. Take your time to consider your options before making a final decision that aligns with your career goals in healthcare.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP): Provides valuable insights into pharmacy education programs, career opportunities in pharmacy practice, and trends in the pharmaceutical industry.
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Offers comprehensive information on medical education pathways, admission requirements for medical schools, physician workforce data, and resources for aspiring physicians.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Provides detailed occupational outlooks for pharmacists and physicians/surgeons, including data on job prospects, salary information, educational requirements, and industry trends.
These sources were crucial in providing accurate information on the fields of pharmacy and medicine to assist in making an informed decision regarding career choices in healthcare.
God Bless!
JC.