Women in Health Care: Pharmacy or Medicine

[rebeliousdiva]

What are pros and cons of going pre-med or pre-pharmacy? I'm almost 17 and I'll be a senior (technically) in September. Due to my schools guidance office, all college applications should be filled out by September. I know I want to go into healthcare, but as a young women, in the long run, I am concerned about family life. I want a family. I am interested in pharmacy and I will be working at a hospital pharmacy for the second summer in a row this summer, but I was wondering, is there anything better about going to medical school in comparison to pharmacy school? Anything that would draw me more towards medicine rather than pharmacy? like Pros and Cons. There is a 6 year program at a college in my area that offers a combined bachelors and PharmD program. So, I am concerned before applying, for any reason as to why I should not. Thanks for all the answers, and I'm sorry if this seems long.

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[Mesinan]

What are pros and cons of going pre-med or pre-pharmacy? I'm almost 17 and I'll be a senior (technically) in September. Due to my schools guidance office, all college applications should be filled out by September. I know I want to go into healthcare, but as a young women, in the long run, I am concerned about family life. I want a family. I am interested in pharmacy and I will be working at a hospital pharmacy for the second summer in a row this summer, but I was wondering, is there anything better about going to medical school in comparison to pharmacy school? Anything that would draw me more towards medicine rather than pharmacy? like Pros and Cons. There is a 6 year program at a college in my area that offers a combined bachelors and PharmD program. So, I am concerned before applying, for any reason as to why I should not. Thanks for all the answers, and I'm sorry if this seems long.

MEDICINE​

PROS​

CONS​

Variety of Options​

Stress​

High Salary​

Med School can be expensive​

Tend to be more satisfied with career than Pharamcists​

Time (4 undergrad + 4 med school + average of 4 residency= 12 years
Possibly long hours, depends on specialty​

PHARM.​

PROS​

CONS​

Good hours​

Low stress​

Good Salary (just not as high)​

Pharmacy school can also be expensive​

Less schooling, 6 years​

Pharmacists tend to be less satisfied​

 

[bandgeek0295]

Regardless of which path you do, don't do a combined bachelor's + professional degree. I've heard way too many stories of people burning out or realizing that they are halfway done with a program they realized at age 20 or 21 that they have no passion for. Go for your 4 year bachelor's degree. Shadow and volunteer in whatever fields pique your interest, and make an informed decision based on those experiences.

 

[Dingo Mango]

Regardless of which path you do, don't do a combined bachelor's + professional degree. I've heard way too many stories of people burning out or realizing that they are halfway done with a program they realized at age 20 or 21 that they have no passion for. Go for your 4 year bachelor's degree. Shadow and volunteer in whatever fields pique your interest, and make an informed decision based on those experiences.

100% agree with this. Everyone is different, but I for one didn't know what I wanted to do until I was 20.

As for being a woman..... there are soooo very many happy female doctors with wonderful families. Why don't you find one or two to shadow and you can ask about the challenges/rewards of their lifestyle.