4 answers
Sheillah
Student
Kampala, Central Region, Uganda
3
Questions
Asked
629 views
How good is the pharmacy profession??
I would love to become a pharmacist
Login to comment
4 answers
Sujin Weinstein
Pharmacist
7
Answers
Baltimore, Maryland
Updated
Sujin’s Answer
Hi Sheillah,
I have been a pharmacist for 22 years and I still love it!
I love working with doctors and nurses to provide direct patient care. So, I round with them in the morning to see patients and then provide specific recommendations about their mediation therapies. I also see patients by myself to talk to them about their medications, e.g. showing them how to use new things like insulin pens or inhalers and just to talk about side effects and how to take their medications safely and answer their questions.
I enjoy pharmacy because it is always changing so it is never boring! And, no two patient cases are the same.
I also enjoy the "science" of medicine and the body - so, what happens in disease states like diabetes and how do medications help patients?
You can specialize in different areas, like pediatrics, oncology, psychiatry, etc. There are more than 20 different specialty areas. You can do a fellowship or go into academia (teaching at a pharmacy school).
Even if you don't teach in a pharmacy school, as a pharmacist, you are always teaching - e.g. pharmacy students, other pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nurses, doctors, and patients and their families.
Hope that helps! Let me know if you have more questions!
Sujin
I have been a pharmacist for 22 years and I still love it!
I love working with doctors and nurses to provide direct patient care. So, I round with them in the morning to see patients and then provide specific recommendations about their mediation therapies. I also see patients by myself to talk to them about their medications, e.g. showing them how to use new things like insulin pens or inhalers and just to talk about side effects and how to take their medications safely and answer their questions.
I enjoy pharmacy because it is always changing so it is never boring! And, no two patient cases are the same.
I also enjoy the "science" of medicine and the body - so, what happens in disease states like diabetes and how do medications help patients?
You can specialize in different areas, like pediatrics, oncology, psychiatry, etc. There are more than 20 different specialty areas. You can do a fellowship or go into academia (teaching at a pharmacy school).
Even if you don't teach in a pharmacy school, as a pharmacist, you are always teaching - e.g. pharmacy students, other pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nurses, doctors, and patients and their families.
Hope that helps! Let me know if you have more questions!
Sujin
Wishah Mohammednour Ahmed Mohammednour
Medical Laboratory
3
Answers
Khartoum, Sudan
Updated
Wishah Mohammednour’s Answer
Pharmacy is very important depart in Medical feild, and the pharmacist have significant role by understanding the mechanism of drug treatment and Helping in research not only that but also they have the high salary option through Medical speciality
Parixit Modi, Pharm.D., MBA
Clinical Pharmacist
24
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
Parixit’s Answer
Embarking on a career as a pharmacist can be a fulfilling journey, filled with its own unique benefits and hurdles. Here's a closer look at both aspects:
Perks of Being a Pharmacist:
Attractive Pay: Pharmacists often enjoy a handsome salary, particularly after gaining a few years of experience. The average annual income for a pharmacist stands at a substantial $119,359.
Diverse Career Paths: There's a wide array of work environments available to you, from local drugstores, retail chains, mail-order pharmacies, to hospitals, clinics, or research labs.
Work-from-Home Prospects: Thanks to telepharmacy, you can offer your services from the comfort of your home, minimizing stress and promoting a healthier work-life equilibrium.
Drawbacks of Being a Pharmacist:
Heightened Responsibility: As a pharmacist, you're tasked with ensuring the correct dispensation of medication and dosages, and avoiding dangerous drug interactions. This responsibility can be quite demanding.
Pressure: Managing prescriptions, responding to patient inquiries, and overseeing inventory can be stressful, particularly during peak times.
Extended Work Hours: Some pharmacists may have to work long hours, including weekends and holidays.
Monotonous Tasks: The routine of dispensing medications and handling administrative tasks can become tedious.
Insurance and Paperwork Complications: Interactions with insurance companies and handling paperwork can be exasperating.
Why Some Might Not Enjoy Being a Pharmacist:
Limited Independence: Some pharmacists may feel constrained by set protocols and guidelines.
Job Market Oversaturation: In certain regions, the job market might be oversaturated, leading to heightened competition.
Emotional Strain: Engaging with patients dealing with health problems can be emotionally taxing.
It's important to remember that everyone's experience is unique, and what one person finds gratifying, another may not. It's crucial to consider these pros and cons in light of your personal interests, values, and career aspirations. In the end, being a pharmacist provides an opportunity to make a positive difference in people's lives through secure and efficient medication management.
Perks of Being a Pharmacist:
Attractive Pay: Pharmacists often enjoy a handsome salary, particularly after gaining a few years of experience. The average annual income for a pharmacist stands at a substantial $119,359.
Diverse Career Paths: There's a wide array of work environments available to you, from local drugstores, retail chains, mail-order pharmacies, to hospitals, clinics, or research labs.
Work-from-Home Prospects: Thanks to telepharmacy, you can offer your services from the comfort of your home, minimizing stress and promoting a healthier work-life equilibrium.
Drawbacks of Being a Pharmacist:
Heightened Responsibility: As a pharmacist, you're tasked with ensuring the correct dispensation of medication and dosages, and avoiding dangerous drug interactions. This responsibility can be quite demanding.
Pressure: Managing prescriptions, responding to patient inquiries, and overseeing inventory can be stressful, particularly during peak times.
Extended Work Hours: Some pharmacists may have to work long hours, including weekends and holidays.
Monotonous Tasks: The routine of dispensing medications and handling administrative tasks can become tedious.
Insurance and Paperwork Complications: Interactions with insurance companies and handling paperwork can be exasperating.
Why Some Might Not Enjoy Being a Pharmacist:
Limited Independence: Some pharmacists may feel constrained by set protocols and guidelines.
Job Market Oversaturation: In certain regions, the job market might be oversaturated, leading to heightened competition.
Emotional Strain: Engaging with patients dealing with health problems can be emotionally taxing.
It's important to remember that everyone's experience is unique, and what one person finds gratifying, another may not. It's crucial to consider these pros and cons in light of your personal interests, values, and career aspirations. In the end, being a pharmacist provides an opportunity to make a positive difference in people's lives through secure and efficient medication management.
tina Madej
Pharmacist
4
Answers
Nocatee, FL
Updated
tina’s Answer
Pharmacy can indeed be a fulfilling profession, especially if you have a passion for drug therapy, chemistry, and pharmacology. However, it's not without its challenges, such as standing for extended periods, handling difficult patients, and adhering to management guidelines regarding prescription fill rates and patient counseling time limits. It's essential to find a specialty that suits you.
It's also crucial to research the job market in your locality. The emergence of numerous new Pharmacy Schools has resulted in an influx of graduates.
Pharmacy offers a variety of career paths, including retail, hospital, pharmaceutical, and long-term care. Alternatively, you could explore a career as a medical writer or in informatics.
Many pharmacy tasks are now being automated and computerized, which is beneficial for pharmacists as it eliminates the mundane duties of counting and pouring medications.
Don't hesitate to consult your pharmacist for more insights!
It's also crucial to research the job market in your locality. The emergence of numerous new Pharmacy Schools has resulted in an influx of graduates.
Pharmacy offers a variety of career paths, including retail, hospital, pharmaceutical, and long-term care. Alternatively, you could explore a career as a medical writer or in informatics.
Many pharmacy tasks are now being automated and computerized, which is beneficial for pharmacists as it eliminates the mundane duties of counting and pouring medications.
Don't hesitate to consult your pharmacist for more insights!