What would you tell someone younger who is starting their pharmacy path and school and looking forward to the future? What advice would you give them?

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Do a residency, try something different. Once you have experience in the specialty, get certified. You never know when you might get laid off and need that extra something.

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As a pharmacist who graduated and got their license in the mid-1990’s, when you only needed 5 yrs to graduate with a BS pharmacy degree, I would never have chosen this profession if I had to go for a minimum of 7 years to get a PharmD degree. Go the required number of years to become an NP or PA instead.

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Go to Nursing school, work the ICU for 2 years then go study to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist(CRNA) . In 6 years (avg time to pursue pharmacy 2 years pre pharmacy and 4 years pharmacy) you can be in your way to being a CRNA making 200k at minimum. Basically, dont go to pharmacy school!

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If they’re not in pharmacy school yet, I’d tel them to not do it unless they wanted to pursue something besides retail. Even hospital jobs are getting hard to find. So maybe go to do industry instead

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There are lots of retail pharmacists who want to “get out” but have not found other jobs.

I would recommend becoming a pharm tech in a hospital before/during school.

It’s a lot of time, effort and cost to get most of the way through school and never work in a pharmacy prior to p3 and find out you do not like it. It’s a niche degree. Sure people will say there is lots you can do with your degree…. But that typically requires some previous experience. Lots of established people will also be applying for those unicorn jobs.

If you opt out of doing a residency and like working at a hospital then you have a higher chance at getting hired on at the hospital you work at once you graduate. It will also give you contacts within hospital-land. You’ll probably get stuck with crappy hours to start but it’s a foot in the door. It is easier path to go from hospital to anything than retail to anything but retail.

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I would say that pharmacy is what you make it. Retail and hospital jobs aren’t the only jobs you can get. Home infusion, specialty, industry, PBMs, and nuclear jobs are some examples

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If they are still doing prerequisites, I would advise to choose another HC profession. Pharmacy is almost a scam if you only have one job. Choose medicine (derm or radiology) instead.

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I would tell them to work for a year or two save some money but make sure to pursue another degree/certification to differentiate themself. MBA or law degree if that is their interest or a specialty certification. Sacrifice early in their career to reap benefits. It is not a sprint, it is a marathon.

get retail experience!! chain stores and independent ( people will always need prescriptions) while pursuing your dream job!!
something to always fall back on!! most employers don’t want to pay your worth !! remember our profession has been hijacked by non pharmacists looking to profit off your hard work and skills

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