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Is pharmacy a good alternative to nursing ?

I’m working on college applications and I’ve noticed that getting into nursing school is harder these days—harder than getting into pharmacy from what I’ve seen. Therefore I’ve been thinking of pharmacy as a backup plan. How different is pharmacy from nursing? I feel like there is only one job you can do with pharmacy and that’s obviously a pharmacist, but can you do another job with that degree?

I’ve also heard there has been a decrease in student demand in pharmacy overall? Does the job contain a high-stress environment? What do you do exactly on the job?

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Erin’s Answer

I am excited that you are considering a career in healthcare. There are so many paths and all have their advantages and challenges. As a pharmacist I would like to provide some information about your questions about that career path. Pharmacists are trained to focus on balancing medication safety with medication efficacy, and pharmacy school involves learning about the chemical make-up and actions of medications as well as how to best select, monitor, and modify medications for patients with various disease states. Pharmacy training is completed not only in the classroom but also in clinical rotations, exposing students to the many, many pathways available to an individual with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Some traditional pathways involve preparation and dispensing of medications in healthcare settings like community pharmacies and hospitals. Other pharmacists choose to specialize in areas such as cardiology, pediatrics, oncology (and many others) or may work in environments such home health care, ambulatory care clinics, and long term care facilities. Direct interactions with patients and other healthcare team members are a large part of the pharmacist's role in these settings. There are also opportunities for management and administrative roles in healthcare systems, regulatory settings, and health insurance companies. There is a website resource called https://pharmacyforme.org/ that provides an overview of the education and career pathways open to pharmacists. Taking care of individuals who are in need of medical care, regardless of profession, will bring a level of stress to the job. Choosing a degree program that will allow you to have a wide variety of options to fit your needs at different points in your life will be an important part of your decision process.
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Yisel’s Answer

Hi there, Pat!

Registered nurses, or RNs for short, have a super important job. They're not just about patient care, they also teach patients and everyone else about different health conditions. Pharmacists, on the other hand, are the go-to people for prescription medications. They make sure patients know how to use their meds properly.

When it comes to education, RNs usually have a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, or a diploma from a nursing program that's been approved. And of course, they need to be licensed. Pharmacists, on the other hand, usually have a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree and they need to be licensed in every state.

Pharmacists have traditionally worked in retail pharmacies, hospitals, or in academic/research settings. But nowadays, there are more and more opportunities for pharmacists who want to work in industry settings.

Now, let's talk about stress management. It's super important to find a balance between your work and your personal life. I've included some links below that give you a deeper look into both fields. It's a good idea to think about what you like in both fields and see how they fit with your career goals. Writing down your thoughts can really help clear things up. Here are the links for more info:

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm#:~:text=to%20the%20customer.-,Pharmacists%20dispense%20prescription%20medications%20and%20provide%20information%20to%20patients%20about,medications%20to%20treat%20health%20problems.

https://medicalaffairsspecialist.org/blog/career-options-for-pharmacists-2022
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Martin’s Answer

Nursing and pharmacy are two distinct branches of healthcare. Nursing shines with its wide range of opportunities, spanning from patient care to business aspects and everything in between. On the other hand, pharmacists are unique in their own right. They do face certain career boundaries, and even though the pay is decent, working for a large retail store can be exhausting in no time. Sticking to corporate America comes with its own set of restrictions. Your main options include working for a large retail store, where your primary task is to fill as many prescriptions as possible each day, or venturing into running your pharmacy, where competition from large retailers is fierce. Alternatively, you could delve into the business side of things, working in sales or research, or even find employment in a hospital, though the pay there is typically lower.
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Dilawar’s Answer

Hello Pat,

The roles of nurses and pharmacists are quite similar, but they do have some distinct differences. Nurses are primarily involved in direct patient care and treatment, working closely with doctors. They can also be found working in pharmacy stores. Pharmacists, on the other hand, are typically employed within the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacy stores. Their role doesn't involve direct patient interaction, but they do collaborate with doctors to discuss and market various medicines and drugs.

If you're drawn towards patient care and treatment, nursing would be an ideal choice for you. However, if you're more interested in the field of medicine and drugs, then pursuing a career in pharmacy would be more suitable. Both are professional degrees with similar scopes, but nursing might offer slightly more opportunities due to the prevalence of hospitals and pharmacy stores.
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