My advice to pre-pharmers

[Somatic]

Somatic, this is the internet. We don't have to believe anything you say.

Well I have provided you with some reliable sources that back up what I am telling you.

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[Somatic]

According to my old supervisor, the profession was saturated prior to expansion of the big chains and obviously the profession didn't go exactly to hell..if anything it slowly expanded. Interestingly enough I think even a pharmacy school or two might have closed around that time..I think Columbia University had a pharmacy school that they ended up closing for financial reasons...

It terms of the quality of new schools..that's debatable and we won't know until they graduate their first class..

Finally, the whole concept of purposely sustaining a false supply deficit, which in turn would guarantee every pharmd a job with a 6 figure salary and a 5 figure bonus is straight up foolish. The profession for the most part has way to much corporate influence that could easily lobby for import of foreign pharmacist. At worst, they could lobby for the creation of something along the lines of "MS in pharmacy technician".. Just look how well the long time shortage of MD's brought on..now there are MD's, DO's, NP's, PA's etc.

Do I think having a surplus of pharmacist is great for the profession? No, but I don't believe the opposite would have been any better.

Well with the way things are going now there is goint to be WAY too big of a surplus of pharmacists over the next 5 years. I'm saying we need to reduce the number of graduates so supply better meets demand. Even now supply is > demand. Imagine how much worse it's going to get as schools only continue to expand and pop up. That's why pre-pharmers starting now are quite possibly screwed by the time they're done. Even next year's graduating class is going to be hurting.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Well I have provided you with some reliable sources that back up what I am telling you.

This is just like a dad telling his son/daughter not to smoke, but smoking 4 or 5 packs a day himself.

You're crying out for people not to go into pharmacy, yet you, yourself, are still in pharmacy school. If it was that bad of a prospect, you ought to do yourself a favor and drop out to go do something more profitable. By your own admission, anyone graduating now, or even a year from now (you?) will be hurting. No sense in putting yourself through that, right?

Oh, wait, there really aren't guarantees with any damn job in 2011. Not even in medicine, there are an uncomfortable amount of freshly minted MDs and DOs doing chart review in bum-frak-egypt for $13/hr waiting for a match. How about them apples?

You rail so hard against pharmacy, so instead of just singing the same ol' song and dance, why don't you suggest to the pre-pharmers exactly what you think is a better bet than pharmacy school. Let's hear it.

 

[Somatic]

This is just like a dad telling his son/daughter not to smoke, but smoking 4 or 5 packs a day himself.

You're crying out for people not to go into pharmacy, yet you, yourself, are still in pharmacy school. If it was that bad of a prospect, you ought to do yourself a favor and drop out to go do something more profitable. By your own admission, anyone graduating now, or even a year from now (you?) will be hurting. No sense in putting yourself through that, right?

Oh, wait, there really aren't guarantees with any damn job in 2011. Not even in medicine, there are an uncomfortable amount of freshly minted MDs and DOs doing chart review in bum-frak-egypt for $13/hr waiting for a match. How about them apples?

You rail so hard against pharmacy, so instead of just singing the same ol' song and dance, why don't you suggest to the pre-pharmers exactly what you think is a better bet than pharmacy school. Let's hear it.

Ummm hello I graduate in a few weeks and am one of the few fortunate ones who has a job in a metro area. Oh and only about 40k in student loans. It's very easy to see the pharmacy profession go down hill FAST.

Man if you think I am a doom and gloomer, you should have heard the pharmacists at the hospital where I had my residency interview. Even these "cream of the crop" residency trained pharmacists were very uneasy and highly disgusted with the way our profession is going under by having too many graduates. They even basically said clinical pharmacists are screwed too since there will be significant cuts in the number of clinical pharmacists needed. Their advice: do 2 residencies and a fellowship so you can set yourself apart from all the other pharmacists who are doomed...That's 3 MORE YEARS POST PHARMACY SCHOOL!! Umm no thanks!!!

I think engineering is always a good bet. Software engineering is going to be a very hot, high paying field for years to come. Physician Assistants are also going to be in much higher demand than pharmacists in the coming years and it's less likely that PA schools will pop up all over. Become an air traffic controller -that pays over 100 k. Here's some more ideas: http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/10-best-jobs-2011

Notice how pharmacy is no longer considered one of the best careers Hmmm I wonder why

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

Ummm hello I graduate in a few weeks and am one of the few fortunate ones who has a job in a metro area. Oh and only about 40k in student loans. It's very easy to see the pharmacy profession go down hill FAST.

Man if you think I am a doom and gloomer, you should have heard the pharmacists at the hospital where I had my residency interview. Even these "cream of the crop" residency trained pharmacists were very uneasy and highly disgusted with the way our profession is going under by having too many graduates. They even basically said clinical pharmacists are screwed too since there will be significant cuts in the number of clinical pharmacists needed. Their advice: do 2 residencies and a fellowship so you can set yourself apart from all the other pharmacists who are doomed...That's 3 MORE YEARS POST PHARMACY SCHOOL!! Umm no thanks!!!

I think engineering is always a good bet. Software engineering is going to be a very hot, high paying field for years to come. Physician Assistants are also going to be in much higher demand than pharmacists in the coming years and it's less likely that PA schools will pop up all over. Become an air traffic controller -that pays over 100 k. Here's some more ideas: http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/10-best-jobs-2011

Notice how pharmacy is no longer considered one of the best careers Hmmm I wonder why

Are we done listening to you yet? It seems that you have nothing GOOD to say about the profession and yet you're a pharmacist-to-be. Wow, I feel sorry for whoever hired you.

 

[Somatic]

Are we done listening to you yet? It seems that you have nothing GOOD to say about the profession and yet you're a pharmacist-to-be. Wow, I feel sorry for whoever hired you.

You won't listen anyways even though everything I have said is very logical and backed by evidence. I guess you'll have to find out for yourself. Good luck

 

[Somatic]

Are we done listening to you yet? It seems that you have nothing GOOD to say about the profession and yet you're a pharmacist-to-be. Wow, I feel sorry for whoever hired you.

Well I busted my *** to get this job and I deserve it. I love it actually and can do it better than most other pharmacists who have had this job...I just hate how pharmDs are a dime a dozen now and only getting worse. I don't really feel like I'm very special for having a pharmD - look at how many are handed out these days to basically anyone willing the pay the price

 

[crazybob]

You won't listen anyways even though everything I have said is very logical and backed by evidence. I guess you'll have to find out for yourself. Good luck

We won't listen, so quit repeating yourself. PLEASE.

 

[crazybob]

[/B]

Well I busted my *** to get this job and I deserve it. I love it actually and can do it better than most other pharmacists who have had this job...I just hate how pharmDs are a dime a dozen now and only getting worse. I don't really feel like I'm very special for having a pharmD - look at how many are handed out these days to basically anyone willing the pay the price

 

[Somatic]

It's true. And how can you say this? You don't know me!

 

[chemguy79]

It's true. And how can you say this? You don't know me!

Given your ABHORRENT attitude about the profession that you're joining and the way that you conduct yourself on the board, I don't want to know you. I'm also concerned about the care that your patients will receive.

Those of us pursuing the field understand the saturation, but we still want to pursue the field. What part of that is confusing to you? I hope that the salary becomes 70K/year. It will remove LOTS of people from the field who are all about the money.

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

[/B]

Well I busted my *** to get this job and I deserve it. I love it actually and can do it better than most other pharmacists who have had this job...I just hate how pharmDs are a dime a dozen now and only getting worse. I don't really feel like I'm very special for having a pharmD - look at how many are handed out these days to basically anyone willing the pay the price

Why do you have to double post?

Anyways, I don't really understand why you need to feel 'special' about yourself for having a professional degree. I, for one, am in this profession because I have the passion for it and love to work with people (patients, doctors, etc.). At the end of the day, isn't that what really matters? Doing what you love?

I also don't like how to tend to look down on others. Based on your posts so far, it seems like you have no respect for anyone but yourself. All of us worked hard to get to where we are. I don't care if you think there's too many pharmacy schools, I just don't like the fact that you don't have any respect for others. You're the type of person that we all should be worried about. I really can't imagine you being a pharmacist with all of your negative and condescending comments.

Given your ABHORRENT attitude about the profession that you're joining and the way that you conduct yourself on the board, I don't want to know you. I'm also concerned about the care that your patients will receive.

Those of us pursuing the field understand the saturation, but we still want to pursue the field. What part of that is confusing to you? I hope that the salary becomes 70K/year. It will remove LOTS of people from the field who are all about the money.

As am I !

 

[owlegrad]

You won't listen anyways even though everything I have said is very logical and backed by evidence. I guess you'll have to find out for yourself. Good luck

Your claim that "a major chain" is going to start paying new grads is not backed by evidence - the links you posted don't address that at all. In fact they are not nearly as negative as you make them out to be.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Ummm hello I graduate in a few weeks and am one of the few fortunate ones who has a job in a metro area. Oh and only about 40k in student loans. It's very easy to see the pharmacy profession go down hill FAST.

So you're telling me you just figured this out in the last few weeks? Please. If you're being honest, you knew pharmacy was going "down hill" a long time ago, but you didn't bail out. You're just stirring the pot because you're nothing better than a troll.

Man if you think I am a doom and gloomer, you should have heard the pharmacists at the hospital where I had my residency interview. Even these "cream of the crop" residency trained pharmacists were very uneasy and highly disgusted with the way our profession is going under by having too many graduates. They even basically said clinical pharmacists are screwed too since there will be significant cuts in the number of clinical pharmacists needed. Their advice: do 2 residencies and a fellowship so you can set yourself apart from all the other pharmacists who are doomed...That's 3 MORE YEARS POST PHARMACY SCHOOL!! Umm no thanks!!!

2 residencies and a fellowship? Please. That's hyperbole if I've ever heard it.

I think engineering is always a good bet. Software engineering is going to be a very hot, high paying field for years to come. Physician Assistants are also going to be in much higher demand than pharmacists in the coming years and it's less likely that PA schools will pop up all over. Become an air traffic controller -that pays over 100 k. Here's some more ideas: http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/10-best-jobs-2011

Notice how pharmacy is no longer considered one of the best careers Hmmm I wonder why

Engineering?? A good bet? Have you talked to engineering majors lately? By bet is no... Physician Assistant? There are fewer job openings for PAs than pharmacists across all venues of work (retail, clinical, home care/infusion). PA is very close to as saturated as nursing is, and nursing students still sit on waiting lists to get a chance to be unemployed.

Air traffic controller? Have you looked into that? I did... Not very long ago as a matter of fact. While the FAA is predicting a pretty big shortage due to high wash-out rate (no kidding), there are only a handful of certified programs in the country that require relocation just to get to the school, let alone a job, and let's not even discuss the 5 years it takes to become a full-fledged control specialist from start to finish.

Basically, you just pulled some high-salary jobs out of your butt and called them better than pharmacy. They aren't really. The idea that you can graduate with any degree, professional or no, and walk right into a job in this economy is ludicrous.

Anyway, it's obvious you're only here to entertain yourself and stir the pot, because you have to know that no one here believes a word that you type.

Now that you've wished us luck, you can leave. Oh, but you won't, because you love to troll.

 

[Somatic]

Air traffic controller? Have you looked into that? I did... Not very long ago as a matter of fact. While the FAA is predicting a pretty big shortage due to high wash-out rate (no kidding), there are only a handful of certified programs in the country that require relocation just to get to the school, let alone a job, and let's not even discuss the 5 years it takes to become a full-fledged control specialist from start to finish.

Basically, you just pulled some high-salary jobs out of your butt and called them better than pharmacy. They aren't really. The idea that you can graduate with any degree, professional or no, and walk right into a job in this economy is ludicrous.

Anyway, it's obvious you're only here to entertain yourself and stir the pot, because you have to know that no one here believes a word that you type.

Now that you've wished us luck, you can leave. Oh, but you won't, because you love to troll.

how is that much different than pharmacy? If you're going into pharmacy and actually get a job, most likely you'll have to relocate. Pharmacy takes a long time too. I'm not saying this is something people should do AFTER pharmacy school but more of an alternative to pharmacy. Remember my advice here is for the PRE-PHARMERS.

Didn't you see the link I posted? Google the best jobs and see what comes up.

Seriously man I do not love to troll. I just wanna save some people some trouble in the long run by helping them realize that they should avoid going into pharmacy.

 

[crazybob]

how is that much different than pharmacy? If you're going into pharmacy and actually get a job, most likely you'll have to relocate. Pharmacy takes a long time too. I'm not saying this is something people should do AFTER pharmacy school but more of an alternative to pharmacy. Remember my advice here is for the PRE-PHARMERS.

Didn't you see the link I posted? Google the best jobs and see what comes up.

Seriously man I do not love to troll. I just wanna save some people some trouble in the long run by helping them realize that they should avoid going into pharmacy.

I hope you remember that the articles you find on Google can be filled with opinions, biases, etc.

Somatic, I seriously think people are aware of new schools opening up and the recession having serious effects on every profession. You do NOT need to bring up the doom and gloom over and over and over again. It's old news.

 

[Somatic]

I hope you remember that the articles you find on Google can be filled with opinions, biases, etc.

Somatic, I seriously think people are aware of new schools opening up and the recession having serious effects on every profession. You do NOT need to bring up the doom and gloom over and over and over again. It's old news.

I know and I am dissapointed that no one is doing anything about it. There are things we can do to try to correct this problem ya know.

 

[owlegrad]

I know and I am dissapointed that no one is doing anything about it. There are things we can do to try to correct this problem ya know.

Except that we live in a free country. Schools are free to open as long as they meet accreditation standards.

 

[Somatic]

Except that we live in a free country. Schools are free to open as long as they meet accreditation standards.

Yeah well if they don't have preceptors... Or if we limit their preceptors they will at the very least be forced to reduce class sizes. Plus we can make their lives hell and make it known that they are greedy and shady.

 

[Somatic]

Write to the people in charge of the school and flood their boxes with hate mail Threaten them to start petitions to shut them down and actually do it. Make them look BAAAD

 

[owlegrad]

Yeah well if they don't have preceptors... Or if we limit their preceptors they will at the very least be forced to reduce class sizes. Plus we can make their lives hell and make it known that they are greedy and shady.

You are so hard to take seriously. How are news schools any more greedy than established schools? They are equal in terms of greed. What is shady about wanting to make a profit? The profit motive is at the heart of our economic system. They are no more or less greedy/shady than any other school.

As for preceptors, as long as schools are willing to pay, there will be people willing to precept.

The trick is not to limit new students (impossible), but to expand pharmacy services. It is also important for new grads to have realistic expectations. It is not a bad thing to have to compete - not everyone should be a pharmacist.

 

[owlegrad]

Write to the people in charge of the school and flood their boxes with hate mail Threaten them to start petitions to shut them down and actually do it. Make them look BAAAD

I have already asked this before. Who would these petitions go to? Who has the authority to shut down a school based on a petition? No one can shut down a school based on a petition. That's not how our system works.

 

[R2pharmD2]

I have already asked this before. Who would these petitions go to? Who has the authority to shut down a school based on a petition? No one can shut down a school based on a petition. That's not how our system works.

He/she seems to struggle with direct questions. It's like interviewing a politician or something

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

Write to the people in charge of the school and flood their boxes with hate mail Threaten them to start petitions to shut them down and actually do it. Make them look BAAAD

I understand your views. However, sending hate mails and threats is such an unprofessional way to do it. There will always be two sides of the coin. If you want to argue your point, then do it in a professional way. Sending hate emails/mail/ and threats will not get us anywhere.

I thought pharmacists nowadays are trained to be better than this (aren't we all professionals here?). Somatic, didn't you learn anything in pharmacy school? Just wondering.

 

[SHC1984]

Why must you be so negative? It sounds like you regret a lot of your decisions. It's kind of sad that you find out now when you're almost done. There's nothing wrong with working hard towards something. Sacrificing free time and you going out and party is one of things in life is it not? I don't put my life on hold for school, I enjoy school and studying while hanging out with friends and going out. I still make As and Bs.

Cheer up, sometimes I read your post it makes me depressed to see a fellow member regret so much about her life. If you don't want to do it, then quit. It's never too late. 29 years old is not old. Don't limit yourself just because you think being 29 is old and you think you can't get anywhere. That's not the way you should go about things!

I am sorry if I made you depressed. I do not mean to make it sound like I hate my life or that I am depressed or anything like that. Overall I have a high self-esteem and do like my life. I mean I wish that I have a more exciting life and that I have a job that is AMAZING (supermodel for Victora Secret or a famous news anchor will do! ). But instead I do not have that I have a fairly boring (but not bad) life. Even as a pharmacist (assuming that I get a job) I will have a very normal/ordinary/plain life. I just need some excitement in my life. It's waaaaaaaay too boring and sometimes lonely and tiring. I just want pre-pharmers to know that pharmacy is a fairly boring job. It's a job, but it's def nothing special. It takes up a lot of your money and time though. That's all that I mean to say. I don't mean to depress anyone.

Okay I will be more positive. At this point in my life I am almost done with pharmacy school. I have been in school for a very long time! I am tired and do not want to be in school until I am waaaaay OLD. I am already old enough as we speak! When I am old, I like to have a steady job that pays decent and that I can finally start my life. I do not want to be a old woman still broke, single, and looking for a job. When I am old, I should be married with children and with a great job. So the last thing I want is to be in school when I am in my 30s or 40s! That will be the worst life ever! So with that said and with this job market, I already understand that there is a good chance that I might not even get a job after graduation. I have already accepted that as a fact. When I graduate I will do my very best to get a job. If I don't get one. I will just do something else. I might go into broadcasting...(assuming anyone will want me at 29!) or I might go into fashion design or something that I actually like doing. I will start my life after pharmacy school FOR SURE. There is no way in hell I will do another healthcare profession track after this! If I can't find a job as a pharmacist, oh well. Pharmacy is just a job, I see it as just a job. If I can't find that job. Oh well. Well I be mad that I wasted all this time and money? Yeah, I'll be annoyed. But will I be DEPRESSED or SAD that I can't be a pharmacist? HELL NO! I really do not give a **** if I get a job or not. Student Loans? well originally I was planning on getting that paid off within 1-3 years...but if I can't get a job...well then I will do what 99% of the students will be doing...using Income Base Repayment. That way my monthly payment will be low and it won't even matter. Will it bother me that I will be in debt forever? well, if you ask me this a year ago I would say yes, but at this point I really do not give a damn anymore. If I don't get a job I will use IBR and be in debt until I die. The End. I really just don't care anymore. Seriously.

And to be positive about this entire situation. If I don't get a pharmacy job...that gives me a chance to try something that I really love to do. I think pharmacy is just a very ordinary job...so if I get it great, if I don't oh well. I really don't give a damn.

So POSITIVE ADVICE TO PRE-PHARMERS: If you don't get a job after graduation and you have a six figure debt? No worries! Just use IBR! Your monthly payment will be low and you get to get out and actually do something you really love! Good luck!

I hope this is POSITIVE enough for you!

 

[SHC1984]

Ah yes, I was just mentioning to my wife today that I had forgotten all about Senioritis. You get to a point in school where you will do anything to just get it over with. Patience. While it might seem like a drag now, it really is much more fun than working full time.

Don't put your life on hold. I did that, it really gets lonely. In High School, I told myself that there would be time to date after I got settled in college. Once in college, I said I would wait until I graduated, then I went into grad school and waited a little longer. Once I got a job, I said I would wait until my career got on track.....

Basically, don't wait. Meet some people and get a little joy in your life. Don't compare yourself to your friends, what you see may not be what they feel. Just because it looks good, doesn't mean it is. Have you ever heard the statement
"Good from Far, but Far from Good"? Life is what happens while you are making other plans. So do a little living.

I know EXACTLY how you feel!!!! And I like to be alone most of the time...but sometimes it gets lonely...

 

[Farmacist2011]

That was very positive and my favorite post from you. Now I feel even more optomistic.

 

[SHC1984]

When I graduated I was jobless for about a year and a half. I can almost promise you won't be.



I'm just saying don't be so quick to have one. You can have one well into your 30's and be perfectly fine. Age isn't what it used to be.



A). I love what I do but I'm struggling. DOn't want to live like that anymore
B). Do I love pharmacy not necessarily. I'll learn to love it being paid 6 figures lol
c). Hmmm being single does have its benefits. Although I can tell you I wouldn't even think of starting a family making what I make now.



This is what I'm trying to tell you, its not great. I live paycheck to paycheck and I don't have any crazy debt. I got a mortgage, car payment, a credit card or two and thats about it. You make a good point about getting married to someone who is making 50k. Let me through this scenario at you: you're working as a pharm making 100k+ lets say you meet another pharm or hell a doctor or some other health care professional making close or over 100k...now combine those incomes. All of sudden life is looking pretty good isn't it?



LOL!!! Beleive me you don't know what "cant get a job" is like and if you have a pharm degree you won't be in that situation unless you're doing something wrong. You have a skill that is needed. You'll find work just fine.



Every job is stressful. I can speak on experience cuz I've worked through my 20's while you've studied. Every job is stressful. However, you can manage your stress a lot easier if you're making good money like pharmicists do. Imagine life being stressed making 50k.

Yeah sure I'd love to start a family but it can wait. I definitely don't want to start a family making what I make now. If I'm a pharmacist making good money then yeah lets do it.

My point is you don't have to be absolutely in love with it because every job will have stress. Stress though is subjective and can be made easier with a nice paycheck.




Thats not that much of a sacrifice really. Its only 4 years then you have the rest of your life to enjoy them. You know how quick 4 years goes by? Heres how....when George Bush was first elected I was coming out of college. Now we are approaching Obamas potential second term. Time goes by fast.

You know what??? I feel 100% the SAME WAY you feel about pharmacy! So I am not going to judge you!

I don't love pharmacy at all. (I can do it and I am good at science and math etc. but I don't love it) I feel that it is just a job. I went into it for the job security and $$$ too! So we feel the same way about pharmacy!

However, BEFORE I started pharmacy school I did not know the job market for pharmacist will be so bad. I did not know that retail expansion will stop, I did not know that they will open 50+ schools in 2 years, I did not know that automaticans will be taking over some jobs and decreasing demand for pharmacists. All that is happening, we can't deny it, but I def did NOT know that BEFORE I started pharmacy school!

I am already in school and about done, so as I stated ^^^^ I am ready for the consequences of not getting a job when I graduate. I am ready to be on IBR and be in debt until death! Seriously, I really don't give a damn anymore about this job. I am not saying this to scare you or to troll you, I am just saying it b/c it's something that I am planning for.

However, YOU on the other hand is NOT in pharmacy school yet. You want a job that pays good money. I am sure you don't want to graduate without a job right? I know I don't!

Have you looking into dentistry? I was originally in dental school for the $$$ and that profession pays VERY WELL. More than most people think! How about optometry? that's a field I wish I looked into...I think it pays the same as a pharmacist withOUT the saturation and maybe even less stressful too! How about PA? they are also in demand and only 2 years of schooling!!!
have you looking into BETTER options??? I recommend dentistry for anyone that want to make real $$$ without worrying about saturation or being replace by a robot! lol...
I hope this helps!

 

[SHC1984]

That was very positive and my favorite post from you. Now I feel even more optomistic.

read the ^ post! to answer your original question: what is a easier way to make more money?

Go into dentistry! Good luck!

 

[Farmacist2011]

I've tried and tried to consider dentistry, but I just can't do it and I'm sure you know what that feels like. The work itself would make me miserable.

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

I've tried and tried to consider dentistry, but I just can't do it and I'm sure you know what that feels like. The work itself would make me miserable.

Yes, I was pre-dental once. I know how you feel.

 

[R2pharmD2]

I hope this is POSITIVE enough for you!

I like you more when you're positive

 

[chemguy79]

Have you looking into dentistry? I was originally in dental school for the $$$ and that profession pays VERY WELL. More than most people think! How about optometry? that's a field I wish I looked into...I think it pays the same as a pharmacist withOUT the saturation and maybe even less stressful too! How about PA? they are also in demand and only 2 years of schooling!!!
have you looking into BETTER options??? I recommend dentistry for anyone that want to make real $$$ without worrying about saturation or being replace by a robot! lol...
I hope this helps!

THIS post is a bit aggravating because it shows the absolute lack of knowledge regarding other aspects of the industry.

RE: Optometry I have some OD's who would LOVE to speak with you. Having worked in an optometrist office for 4 years during undergrad, I enjoyed working as a technician and toyed with attending optometry school. (That's actually why I joined SDN 5+ years ago.) However, most of the doctor's despised the field because managed care and the larger chains were taking over the industry. It was this way in 2003, it's MUCH worse now. Most "independent optometrists" are forced to work with insurance companies like VSP that epically undercut their profit margins. Furthermore, with VSP, you have to wait to get glasses sent from their manufacturing site whereas you have Lenscrafters who can get your Rx in approximately 1 hour. Shockingly, the predicament sounds very similar to pharmacy, *smirk*.

As for PA, the fact that you need X hours of experience prior to applying has some part in the intimidation factor.

That's why all of the doom and gloom in the fields don't really intimidate me much. It's that way for EVERYONE, so one field isn't immune to the saturation of the healthcare industry. Furthermore, the development of subspecialties within the field, Anesthesology Assistant vs. Nurse Anesthetist for example ... is adding increased saturation as well.

Bottom line, EVERY ASPECT OF THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY has a downside. Instead of griping about it on a farking message board, suck it up or leave the field. If you went into the field solely to make money, you probably won't be happy. Furthermore, you deserve it for pursuing something that you didn't truly didn't want to do with your life. *shrug*

 

[SHC1984]

THIS post is a bit aggravating because it shows the absolute lack of knowledge regarding other aspects of the industry.

RE: Optometry I have some OD's who would LOVE to speak with you. Having worked in an optometrist office for 4 years during undergrad, I enjoyed working as a technician and toyed with attending optometry school. (That's actually why I joined SDN 5+ years ago.) However, most of the doctor's despised the field because managed care and the larger chains were taking over the industry. It was this way in 2003, it's MUCH worse now. Most "independent optometrists" are forced to work with insurance companies like VSP that epically undercut their profit margins. Furthermore, with VSP, you have to wait to get glasses sent from their manufacturing site whereas you have Lenscrafters who can get your Rx in approximately 1 hour. Shockingly, the predicament sounds very similar to pharmacy, *smirk*.

As for PA, the fact that you need X hours of experience prior to applying has some part in the intimidation factor.

That's why all of the doom and gloom in the fields don't really intimidate me much. It's that way for EVERYONE, so one field isn't immune to the saturation of the healthcare industry. Furthermore, the development of subspecialties within the field, Anesthesology Assistant vs. Nurse Anesthetist for example ... is adding increased saturation as well.

Bottom line, EVERY ASPECT OF THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY has a downside. Instead of griping about it on a farking message board, suck it up or leave the field. If you went into the field solely to make money, you probably won't be happy. Furthermore, you deserve it for pursuing something that you didn't truly didn't want to do with your life. *shrug*

I know nothing about optometry, I mentioned that above. I said I WISH I looked into optometry.

I am okay with working for Walmart, Target, Sears or whatever. As long as the jobs are abundant and the pay is 100K+, I am fine with that. I think it would be less stressful than pharmacy b/c there won't be patients screaming at you from the drive thru needing you to fill their script in 5 minutes. (I can be wrong b/c I know nothing about Opto, but they seem like they are low stressed...someone correct me if I am wrong)

Is opto still in high demand? Meaning can graduates get jobs easily with Walmart, Target, Sears and the other chains? If the answer is yes, its worth pursuing...for Pharmacy the answer is hell no! lol..

That's the point here. Pharmacy lacks jobs...the supply>>>>demand. For PA and Opto the Demand>>>>Supply. That's the advantage I am talking about. If I was looking for something to do now I would be looking at mainly is the supply LESS (way LESS) than demand? Is the pay in the six figure range? How expensive is the school's tuition? How MANY schools are there in the USA? I believe there are very few Opto Schools in the USA so the supply is much less than demand I would guess. Unlike pharmacy school there are what? 130 or 150 now?

I still recommend DENTISTRY as the field to go into for MONEY and to aviod saturation. That's the best advice I can give you pre-pharmers. If you don't want to listen and want to jump into pharmacy, then get ready to pay off your student loans for a lifetime at IBR rate...which isn't that bad I guess. LOL....

 

[Farmacist2011]

Optometry is WAAY more saturated than pharmacy. Go over to their forum, it's all doom and gloom and they're not happy 3 more schools are opening up.

 

[SHC1984]

I like you more when you're positive

I am glad pre-pharmers are EXCITED and HAPPY about working their ass of for 4 years in pharmacy school and then having to pay off a six figure student loan at IBR rate for a lifetime.

If paying off a six figure loan at IBR rate makes you happy then I am positive!

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Optometry is WAAY more saturated than pharmacy. Go over to their forum, it's all doom and gloom and they're not happy 3 more schools are opening up.

QFT. As usual, people are talking out of their asses about things they know nothing about.

 

[chemguy79]

QFT. As usual, people are talking out of their asses about things they know nothing about.

WORD! Optometry is MUCH more saturated than Pharmacy. When I worked in the office, a new grad had to work at 3 different practices over 6 days in order to get 40 hours/week.

Since you know nothing about OPTOMETRY, you shouldn't talk out of your ass about the field. Patients yell at optometrists as well ... I like my old Rx better, I don't like these contacts, I want my old type of lens even though I slept in the contact lens for 2 months even though it was a 2 week disposable, etc.
Frankly, YOU RUN THE RISK OF GETTING YELLED AT IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION! If you don't want to get yelled at, find a padded room. *groan* It's completely mindboggling that it seems to be a hangup for you. No one likes getting yelled at, but it's a fact of life when you work with the public. If it was that much of a concern, you should have thought about that before starting dental school and finishing pharmacy school.

If you think that demand >>>> supply in those fields, you are completely talking out of your ass. Pay is better in pharmacy and tuition is comparable to pharmacy school, so all of your points are invalid. Talking about a field as being superior when "[you] don't know anything about the field" is quite ignorant.

If I were in your position, I would be willing to do ANYTHING to find a job instead of griping about poor life choices to pre-pharmers on a message board.

 

[Farmacist2011]

Everything I said was true.

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

I am glad pre-pharmers are EXCITED and HAPPY about working their ass of for 4 years in pharmacy school and then having to pay off a six figure student loan at IBR rate for a lifetime.

If paying off a six figure loan at IBR rate makes you happy then I am positive!

Ok now you're starting to really make me annoyed. If you have nothing good to say, get out.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Everything I said was true.

I don't think it was directed at you, was it?

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

I know nothing about optometry, I mentioned that above. I said I WISH I looked into optometry.

I am okay with working for Walmart, Target, Sears or whatever. As long as the jobs are abundant and the pay is 100K+, I am fine with that. I think it would be less stressful than pharmacy b/c there won't be patients screaming at you from the drive thru needing you to fill their script in 5 minutes. (I can be wrong b/c I know nothing about Opto, but they seem like they are low stressed...someone correct me if I am wrong)

Is opto still in high demand? Meaning can graduates get jobs easily with Walmart, Target, Sears and the other chains? If the answer is yes, its worth pursuing...for Pharmacy the answer is hell no! lol..

That's the point here. Pharmacy lacks jobs...the supply>>>>demand. For PA and Opto the Demand>>>>Supply. That's the advantage I am talking about. If I was looking for something to do now I would be looking at mainly is the supply LESS (way LESS) than demand? Is the pay in the six figure range? How expensive is the school's tuition? How MANY schools are there in the USA? I believe there are very few Opto Schools in the USA so the supply is much less than demand I would guess. Unlike pharmacy school there are what? 130 or 150 now?

I still recommend DENTISTRY as the field to go into for MONEY and to aviod saturation. That's the best advice I can give you pre-pharmers. If you don't want to listen and want to jump into pharmacy, then get ready to pay off your student loans for a lifetime at IBR rate...which isn't that bad I guess. LOL....

The more you post, the more you sound like a troll. Anyways, I really dislike the fact that there are people out there who go to school purely for money. Why don't you just quit pharmacy if you don't like it so much? People here who are ACTUALLY interest in the field will really appreciate it if you do yourself that favor. It's kind of sad to see that you solely believe pharmacy is the bad career choice. I think that's ignorance. You also refused to listen to the fellow SDN members here and don't answer question directly.

I think I'm done here. I'll just continue to read you somewhat entertaining posts to past time. I feel no need to respond to you though, I really have nothing else to say (if I do go farther, I might violate SDN TOS )

 

[SHC1984]

[/B]

The more you post, the more you sound like a troll. Anyways, I really dislike the fact that there are people out there who go to school purely for money. Why don't you just quit pharmacy if you don't like it so much? People here who are ACTUALLY interest in the field will really appreciate it if you do yourself that favor. It's kind of sad to see that you solely believe pharmacy is the bad career choice. I think that's ignorance. You also refused to listen to the fellow SDN members here and don't answer question directly.

I think I'm done here. I'll just continue to read you somewhat entertaining posts to past time. I feel no need to respond to you though, I really have nothing else to say (if I do go farther, I might violate SDN TOS )

Didn't you say you are going to pharmacy for the money and that 50K a yr at your current job ain't cutting it? Was that you or NYU? I can't remember.

When did I say I dislike pharmacy as a profession? I say I dislike the JOB MARKET for pharmacists. I dislike the SATURATION for pharmacists. I dislike the fact that there are so many schools opened for pharmacy. I dislike the LACK OF JOBS for pharmacy. Yeah, I dislike those things.

But pharmacy as a career? Its okay. I never said I dislike it, I am most likely better at math and sciences compare to most of the people I know, so I def am not bad at it!

I was the one that mention to go to pharmacy school only if you like the profession and that going to pharmacy for only the money wasn't a good idea. It's the pre-pharmers on here that mention they are going into pharmacy for the money and that pharmacy students are on here trying to stop them from making money. I never say to go to pharmacy for the money.

 

[atpsynthase]

SHC, your sarcasm is getting old. Your comments are getting old. Your personality is getting old. You and Somatic should go enroll in OD or PA school together. It'll be cute and save us a lot of headaches... although I feel bad for the people on the Opto and PA boards.

 

[SHC1984]

If I were in your position, I would be willing to do ANYTHING to find a job instead of griping about poor life choices to pre-pharmers on a message board.

I went into pharmacy b/c there are work at home jobs like mail order etc. I like to avoid the public generally. If those jobs are availabe I will TRY MY BEST go get it.

If they are not, oh well I'll find something else to do. I'll most likely look into pharm sales next and so on.

If I was 18yo and a pre-pharmer I would want to hear what people have to say about the job market. I know it makes you people mad that not everyone on here is saying, "there is a HUGE shortage!" "Pharmacy is the best!" etc. For me it doesn't piss me off if people give out good opinions or bad opinions, I take it as an opinion and move on. However, for some of you, if it's not there is a HUGE SHORTAGE OF PHARMACISTS, if that opinion isn't mention by a poster than that poster must be a troll?

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

Didn't you say you are going to pharmacy for the money and that 50K a yr at your current job ain't cutting it? Was that you or NYU? I can't remember.

When did I say I dislike pharmacy as a profession? I say I dislike the JOB MARKET for pharmacists. I dislike the SATURATION for pharmacists. I dislike the fact that there are so many schools opened for pharmacy. I dislike the LACK OF JOBS for pharmacy. Yeah, I dislike those things.

But pharmacy as a career? Its okay. I never said I dislike it, I am most likely better at math and sciences compare to most of the people I know, so I def am not bad at it!

I was the one that mention to go to pharmacy school only if you like the profession and that going to pharmacy for only the money wasn't a good idea. It's the pre-pharmers on here that mention they are going into pharmacy for the money and that pharmacy students are on here trying to stop them from making money. I never say to go to pharmacy for the money.

I never said I am in pharmacy for the money. I am not like you. Also, you need to get it with reality. One thing: Did you ever had any pharmacy experience before you entered pharmacy school? You REALLY purely went in for the money?

 

[SHC1984]

SHC, your sarcasm is getting old. Your comments are getting old. Your personality is getting old. You and Somatic should go enroll in OD or PA school together. It'll be cute and save us a lot of headaches... although I feel bad for the people on the Opto and PA boards.

When was I being sarcastic?

 

[chemguy79]

If I was 18yo and a pre-pharmer I would want to hear what people have to say about the job market. I know it makes you people mad that not everyone on here is saying, "there is a HUGE shortage!" "Pharmacy is the best!" etc. For me it doesn't piss me off if people give out good opinions or bad opinions, I take it as an opinion and move on. However, for some of you, if it's not there is a HUGE SHORTAGE OF PHARMACISTS, if that opinion isn't mention by a poster than that poster must be a troll?

Are you confused? There is NO ONE in this ENTIRE thread saying that they're annoyed that pharmacy students aren't saying "there is a HUGE shortage." If you are reading that on this thread, please show me where you are finding it because frankly, it's not true.

I, and MANY others, have said that we know that the job market sucks. HOWEVER, it is that way for the ENTIRE medical field. Therefore, the problems are not isolated to pharmacy. What part of that is beyond your level of comprehension? We are aware that it is tough. However, it is tough for EVERYONE.

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

I went into pharmacy b/c there are work at home jobs like mail order etc. I like to avoid the public generally. If those jobs are availabe I will TRY MY BEST go get it.

If they are not, oh well I'll find something else to do. I'll most likely look into pharm sales next and so on.

If I was 18yo and a pre-pharmer I would want to hear what people have to say about the job market. I know it makes you people mad that not everyone on here is saying, "there is a HUGE shortage!" "Pharmacy is the best!" etc. For me it doesn't piss me off if people give out good opinions or bad opinions, I take it as an opinion and move on. However, for some of you, if it's not there is a HUGE SHORTAGE OF PHARMACISTS, if that opinion isn't mention by a poster than that poster must be a troll?

You. Are. Too. Funny. You went into pharmacy...but you want to AVOID the public? Why are you even in a health profession?. You are the type of person that is damaging our profession. Of course no one expects 100% positive comments about a profession. I, for one, like to read about the concerns and other issues facing pharmacy. But we don't appreciate you coming here to bash the profession, and consistently REFUSE to hear the other side of the argument. We're not saying you can't voice your opinion, but the way you present yourself is causing this type of response.

I still cannot believe someone in their right mind would say what you just said (bolded). You actually went into pharmacy for the money and want to work at home because you want to avoid the public? Reality check, there are many other jobs out there that doesn't require a direct interaction with people. Why don't you just pick one of those professions?

 

[SHC1984]

I never said I am in pharmacy for the money. I am not like you. Also, you need to get it with reality. One thing: Did you ever had any pharmacy experience before you entered pharmacy school? You REALLY purely went in for the money?

My fault. But a lot of pre-pharmers on here have admitted to going into pharmacy for the money, so I am on here to tell them it's not a good idea. If you really love pharmacy go for it. AGAIN, I believe I was the one that mention if you are young AND you love pharmacy you should do it!

I had experience at Walgreens pharmacy before I started pharmacy school. The pharmacist there did not like working at Walgreens, however, she was about to leave Walgreens to move to Florida to work at a mail order pharmacy. She told me it would be so nice to work from home at the mail order pharmacy. I don't know if she ever got the job there, but she was the one that gave me the idea that I could work from home as a pharmacist.

No I went into dentistry for the money! I went into pharmacy mainly b/c I thought it was going to be a very secure job, in demand in all areas of the country. I thought it would be a secure job and that I can work from home if I wanted to which sounded like a good idea to me at the time. I did NOT know about this saturation before I entered pharmacy school.

Feel free to ask me questions. I try to answer them directly. I am not a negative person really. I am just ready to be done with school. And I am on here to avoid studying!