Want to Be a Pharmacist? 4 Serious Considerations to Think About First


Pharmacy school enrollments have been increasing greatly over the past decade. Since the demand for pharmacists across the country is so high many students are flocking to these programs for high paying, in-demand jobs. However, before you commit to becoming a pharmacist there are a number of serious considerations you must consider beforehand. In this overview, we will look at 4 of those considerations.


Make Sure You Understand What a Pharmacist Does


Pharmacists primarily give out prescription drugs to patients. Other duties include advising doctors and patients on how much of a drug to take, which drugs to avoid taking together (drug interactions). They are also knowledgeable about the potential side effects of all of the medications they distribute. While a patient is receiving medication over a long period of time the pharmacist will monitor their usage to make sure the prescriptions are as effective as possible.


Cost of Schooling


The vast majority of pharmacy programs will require a bachelor’s degree. In addition, students will need to complete 4 years of pharmacy training. Generally, it takes about 8 years to become a pharmacist. The National Institute of Health reported that overall it takes 25,000 per year for schooling to become a pharmacist.


Average Salary for a Pharmacist


According to the Pharmacy Times the average salary for a pharmacist in the United States is between 90,000 and 140,000 dollars. Salaries are dependent on demand and cost of living. That means a pharmacist in San Francisco will make considerably more than one in say, Kansas or Arkansas. You need to decide if this salary is worth 8 years of schooling.


Paying Your Dues


Much like any other profession new pharmacists need to pay their dues. Unless you are a superstar it is very hard to land a high paying job right out of school. Many new pharmacists go to places like CVS and Walgreens where the pay is low and the ability to operate is largely determined by corporate. Many of these companies use data augmentation systems, like MedPro Systems. These systems are used to quickly verify licensing. For example, in Ohio they might use such a system for their Ohio TDDD license validation.


Becoming a pharmacist takes determination and the ability to perform at a very high level. Before setting off on your journey to becoming a pharmacist, it is important to consider all of the points outlined in this article. If you like the work and the salary, you should consider becoming a pharmacist.


By Hannah Whittenly

Hannah / Freelance Writer
Email: [email protected]

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