Why I Regret Becoming a Pharmacist
I graduated from pharmacy school a year ago and have been a licensed pharmacist for almost 10 months now. I wish I could say all those hours spent studying in pharmacy school and all the debt I incurred was worth it now that I am a practicing pharmacist.
But then this post wouldn’t be called Why I Regret Becoming a Pharmacist.
Although the thought had been running through my mind and I’ve said it a few times to some friends, I know that once I put it in writing, the truth will hit me smack in the face. So here it is. The truth is, I regret becoming a pharmacist.
And that’s a hard pill to swallow (pun intended) because I love learning about medicine.
I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in the healthcare field. I got sick many times as a kid so I was exposed to the healthcare system from an early age. In high school, I found biology and the human body to be absolutely fascinating which solidified my interest in pursuing a career in healthcare.
I naively thought becoming a pharmacist would give me all I wanted in a career. I wanted to learn all I could about medicine and I wanted to help others in their journey to better health.
I thought the pay was good and my parents would have a doctor for a daughter.
I also did not know a life outside of school. Both my parents received their Master’s degree and I thought there was no other path for me to go but to receive higher education after receiving my Bachelor’s. School was all I ever really knew.
While many people find the biggest hurdle to pursuing a pharmacy career is having to go through 3-4 years of pharmacy school, I was the opposite. I’ve always loved school, likely because I excelled in it. I often joked with my friends that if being a student was a job, it would be my dream career.
Now, even my friends who hated school and couldn’t wait to start practicing agree with me that compared to being a pharmacist, pharmacy school was a walk in the park. So take me back now. Actually, please take me back to before pharmacy school so I can pick a different career because it didn’t take long before I became disillusioned with the path I chose.
In fact, I started seeing the reality of what I was getting into even while still in pharmacy school when I had my first introductory rotation. I started seeing the cloud of darkness even as an intern.
But like many other pharmacy students, by the time the realization hits, I was already deep into my 6-figure debt to not see it through the end of the tunnel. The question is, is there an end to the tunnel?
Related posts:
7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Pharmacy School
7 Study Tips to Be Successful in Pharmacy School
1- Year Update After Becoming a Pharmacist
Expectation vs Reality
What I thought was a clean, pristine pharmacy workplace turned out to be nothing but a toxic work environment, especially in retail pharmacy. The workload is so massive that there is absolutely no way anyone can 100% review every prescription to the standards we were taught in school.
The worst part is feeling like I am nothing but a glorified drug dealer.
Pharmacists like to joke around that we’re “legal drug dealers”. But despite the joke, I am sure there is a part of every pharmacist that feel that way. After working for almost 2 years in the pharmacy and 10 months as a pharmacist, I can now clearly see that I am nothing more than a glamorized drug dispenser.
I naively thought my day would be filled with verifying prescriptions, talking to doctors on optimizing a patient’s care and counseling patients on how to best take their medications. Now I see that I have to pick my battles when it comes to calling doctors. Was it important enough, urgent enough to warrant the lines of patients waiting or the wrath of the patient just wanting to get “the prescription my doctor wrote”?
Even if I call, very likely I don’t even speak to the doctor. The most I can get is a clarification on a direction from a staff. My dreams of actually optimizing a patient’s care were completely dashed away when I can’t even get in contact with the prescriber.
Even worse is when a doctor disregards my concern without a second thought. Or when a patient refuses to wait for a medication that I am trying to thoroughly review for their own safety. The media tout pharmacists as the most accessible healthcare professional. We may be accessible but it does not mean we are well-respected.
If I could get a dollar for every time I actually manage to reach a doctor only to have my question answered with, “that’s fine. It’s how we always do it here,” I’d be chipping away at my debt.
So let’s get to some myths I want to dispel about being a pharmacist.
They say pharmacists have a great work-life balance. Unlike doctors, they get to work the 9-5. Not so fast there. Most pharmacies are open until 8 or 9 pm and also on weekends. And for those working in long-term care, shifts run up to 2 am or even 24 hours.
As a retail pharmacist, I don’t have a set schedule. Making my situation worse, as a fairly new pharmacist, I am lucky if I can even get weekend days off or get enough hours. The job market is saturated, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Yes, you will be able to find jobs if you keep looking but it’s likely in the middle of nowhere. If you do land a job in a slightly desirable area, say goodbye to a full-time position (as I’ve had to) and say hello to paying for your own healthcare insurance as a part-timer.
The Stress
Those trying to put it lightly will just say, pharmacy is a fast-paced career. To me, it is a stressful one that can potentially put lives in danger. I come home stressed and I am physically and mentally exhausted from work that I have no motivation to exercise. I am living an unhealthy life.
Now with the opioid crisis hitting the nation, I am constantly having to check if a prescription is fake, if a patient is misusing a drug, and if a prescriber is practicing within their scope of practice among the clinical checks I am already responsible for.
I’m half legal drug dispenser, half detective. Basically, everything I never signed up for and pharmacy school didn’t prepare me for.
My personal life has suffered. I am so tired of dealing with bad customers that I don’t want to interact with anyone when I leave work. I am physically exhausted that I don’t have the energy to go out and I am mentally drained that even when I do, I fail to make engaging conversations.
I sometimes wake up in anxiety praying that today will be a good day with minimal angry customers (to hope for none would be like asking pigs to fly), no fake prescriptions, that no technicians call out, that District Manager won’t stop by to question our efficiency.
What’s Next?
So if I hate my job so much why don’t I just quit? Well therein lies the problem. I’m still in $116,000 debt (which is a huge progress from the $171,000 debt I started with). And that’s where pharmacy traps you. That’s how corporate can get away with decreasing salary and cutting hours while demanding more. They know as pharmacists we’re dealing with a saturated market and 6-figure debts.
We simply can’t afford to quit our jobs.
I also know that I am one of the luckier ones despite the unstable job market. I have a friend in the northeast that still hasn’t found a job a year after graduation and has finally decided to take a different state’s license even if it means relocating thousands of miles away in an effort to get a job.
But just because I am lucky enough to get a job doesn’t mean I like it or I see myself doing it until retirement.
I don’t want to get complacent. I know many of my pharmacist friends who are drowning in debt, hating their jobs, but are stress-spending their hard-earned income instead of paying off their debt.
I already see them committing lifestyle inflation. It’s a vicious cycle that’s going to keep them trapped.
So for me, this post is going to be a reminder of why I need to work hard now to pay off my debt to have options in the future. With new pharmacy schools still churning students out every year, I am convinced the pharmacy career will only continue to go downhill. I want to be out ASAP.
Related posts:
How I Paid Off $50,000 Debt in 7 Months
5 Steps to Handle Student Loans After Graduation
Should You Take a Gap Year Before Grad School
1 Year Update After Becoming a Pharmacist
3 Year Update as a Retail Pharmacist
151 thoughts on “Why I Regret Becoming a Pharmacist”
Your experience seems pretty common in a lot of fields. You will figure things out, you are obviously extremely bright and have a great deal of self knowledge but I am sorry that your career is not living up to your expectations so far. Because you refuse to settle for something that is not fulfilling you I feel confident that you will stay in charge of your life going forward, good luck!
Thanks for the encouragement Steve, it means a lot. From talking to some friends in other professions, I’ve also realized that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. So in a way, it is comforting to know that even if I had chosen a different career path, it may not be all rainbows and unicorns on the other side. Until then I’ll just have to keep hustling to get to where I want to be. It’s still years away but I can’t wait to join you in the early retirement community!
So well spoken. Thank you. Our employers treat us like garbage. We can never live up to their expectations. And they don’t really care if our customers are happy, just about the number reports. Did you answer every call within 3 rings. . No, because it was me and one tech waiting on people in the store. Fucking sandwich shops have more employees working
I was a working pharmacist for 40 years and retired at 65.
I agree with everything you have said.
Better to drive a truck than work in a big chain pharmacy.
Hi Avery: life will for sure be better once the junior “pay your due tasks” and non 9-5 schedules are less often after you put the time in.
Also, your outlook will change after the debt chain is lifted. Promise 🙂
Thanks for the support Coco! Yes, I cannot wait to pay off my debt to start looking into enjoying life a little more and hopefully join you on the journey to FIRE!
I’ve heard this alot in the field. It makes me wonder if I will even get a job when I am done.
The pharmacy market is definitely saturated at this point but it also depends a lot on the location. If you are willing to relocate to a less desirable area, I think you will be able to get a job.
My biggest tip for you is definitely to start getting an intern position as soon as possible while you’re still in pharmacy school to give you an edge later on when you are trying to find a position as a pharmacist.
I would say why would you assume you will get a position anywhere near where you live? Most Canadian pharmacists have had to move across country or work rural to get their foot in the door…That’s standard.
I feel your pain. I graduated with my PharmD in 2016. The retail field is slowly draining my life. Im a staff pharmacist at a crazy disorganized, fast paced, understaffed store. And I hate it! I completely agree with you we’ve got to get out of this field before it all goes downhill.
I’m sorry to hear that. Being a staff pharmacist really is a hit or miss. If you get a unicorn store it can be really great. Otherwise, sometimes I actually prefer floating. But of course, we don’t always get the choice 😂
“School was all I ever really knew.
While many people find the biggest hurdle to pursuing a pharmacy career is having to go through 3-4 years of pharmacy school, I was the opposite. I’ve always loved school, likely because I excelled in it. I often joked with my friends that if I being a student was a job, it would be my dream career.”
Haha, yes! I feel the same way. When I thought I was going to win the lottery (yes, the actual lottery), on my vision board, I put a few more degrees I would get. I wonder if it’d be less stressful knowing you didn’t need to complete the degree for anything other than personal satisfaction…
fellow pharma girl here! nice to meet you! 🙂
What?! Haha I really need to hear about this lottery story. Nice to meet another pharma girl! …Following you in your early retirement journey!
Wow! This is exactly what is happening with me! I am trying to get into hospital work so I can maybe get some sanity back!
Good luck in the job search Sandra!
I am reading this mentally preparing myself for my pharmacy workday. I agree with the post 100%. I am in a similar situation, but on a smaller scale. I am a pharmacy technician with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. I am back in school trying to get a medical technology certification so I can finally earn a living wage and do something else with my life other than brainstorm how to make money and get out of debt. My goal was be a scientist, but grad school was not worth it and employers won’t hire a bachelor’s degree for a lab tech job that requires a high school diploma so here I am and my classes are full of people just like me.
I’m glad you decided to pursue another career option outside of pharmacy Jay. I’ve seen my fair share of pharmacy technicians pursuing pharmacy school only to realize the debt and profession is not worth it.
I HAVE NEVER READ SOMETHING MORE RELATABLE IN MY LIFE! Literally hit the nail on the head with all of this. Only part you left out was how low the moral is as a result of all of this. Truly terrible what has happened to a once “top” profession.
Glad I’m not the only one feeling this way MF!
There is life after retail. 10 years a tech/intern. 10 years an RXM. I quit after 20 years. Went to independent for 2 and then landed a job at a medical group. It was pharmacy nirvana. I talked to doctors, nurses and mid levels anytime I needed to. I had full access to the medical record. I created care plans and made recommendations. I worked 830 to 5. No night. No weekends. Drug reps brought me coffee and lunch. I was like have I died and gone to pharmacy heaven? It was really a perfect job. I was good at it. Everyone loved me and was so happy to finally have a pharmacist. I was so good I got promoted twice in 2 years lol. Anyway I’m now full time admin. Not much patient care anymore. Not quite pharmacy nirvana anymore but it’s all good. I still don’t work weekends or holidays. I occasionally have night meetings but I’m drop my kids off and pick them up every single day. There is life after retail.
Glad to hear you’re in a happier place now Chara. And thanks for the uplifting message. Good to know it worked out well for you!
If you could realistically choose a different profession what would it be?
I also like learning about medicine but I know I don’t want to work directly with patients, touching them, examining them, etc. Pharmacy seemed like a good choice, but I am really worried about the future.
Hi C, honestly I’ve thought about this many times before and I personally would have gone the computer science route if I could do it over again. This is just based on what I’ve seen from my friends’ line of work in that field and that I think it would be a good fit for me as an introvert. But of course, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and who knows what the profession is really like when you’re not in it.
Have you thought about going the research/pharmaceutical route? Based on your interests that might be a good alternative to look into. Wishing you the best of luck in your future!
Avery you could still learn computer sciences on the side and try and break into the emerging healthcare tech field!
I could not agree more with your article. I’m two years in and I HATE my job. I loathe going in everyday. This has to be the least professional professional degree out there. Our corporate pay-masters treat us like glorified cashiers, patients treat us like crap, providers crap on us and yell at us….just the worst. Amd all with less help and more to do. For triple the pay I still wouldn’t do this job again if I could turn back time.
100% agree with everything you said!
Wow never related more to a post! 14 more months till I’m hopefully debt free and not feel chained to pharmacy because of debt! All the best to you on your journey 🙂
Wow looks like congratulations are in order for you. 14 months is a short time and you’ll be done with your debt in no time!
Thanks for writing this. I went to law school and I am really struggling with the job search. I was thinking that pharmacy school would have been a better choice for me. It was interesting to hear your point of view. Life is really really hard…. Good luck with everything…
Thanks Jemma. Good luck with the job search on your end too. Glad you were able to see that the grass isn’t always greener on the other (pharmacy) side.
Loved the article! It’s so very relatable! I’ve been out of pharmacy school 8 years and unfortunately got into the habit of buying things to replace the unhappiness with my job. We are on a debt pay down cycle now and hopefully will be completely debt free in 2 years!!! Then I’ll do something I love
Thanks for commenting Stephanie! I’m 100% there with you. Lifestyle inflation is a real thing and I’m constantly struggling to not get in the habit of upping my lifestyle even though I am already seeing it creep in my spending.
Good luck on your debt pay down journey! I’m with you all the way!
I don’t blame you. I’d continue to develop your blog and other side hustles while you pay down your debt and make a 5 year exit strategy. That’s what I did! I work with lots of other pharmacists and health care providers doing the same. There are other options that you can make even more money doing and actually enjoy what you do! I promise!
I’m listening!
Have you giving some thoughts about working in other settings such as hospital? My colleagues who work staff or clinical position apply what learned at the school plus more, engage providers, teach students…… Work/life balance, 8 to 4 with one weekend a month.
Of course, nowadays, residency may be required to work in hospital in metropolitan areas. It is all about reap what you sow, cost vs benefit, investment in residency vs instant gratification of job at retail.
Stand out, stay competitive, be more than just commodity who are licensed, and work in retail. There are way out, board certification, residency, fellowship……
Hi BB, thank you for the advice. I really appreciate it. I have considered going into hospital and considered residency while in pharmacy school. At the end of the day I chose not to apply because I could not see myself working in hospital long term due to spending so much time in the hospital as a sick kid.
I do hear some collegues loving the hospital setting so perhaps in the future I will look more into it.
Hey Avery, I have been a pharmacist for over 30 years, I am very grateful of 1. being able to practice when the professions was in its “sweet spot”. and 2. Have gone part time and now work only when I can. My advice to you is eliminate your debt and explore other options on your “own terms”. The sweet spot for this profession now is “part time” where you can call the shots. With the expanding scopes of practice all over North America and the competition and expectations this profession does not appear to be sunshine and rainbows. I have found a new love for this profession part time because it affords you the opportunity to focus more on your patients and the interactions and less on all the backstage, everyday expectations that can slow patient care and increase your stress levels. I do believe it “the stress levels” have become epidemic in this profession and hopefully there will be a turn around in the future, I just would not count on it……. Good Luck I sincerely wish you well.
Thank you for the kind comment. I would love to go part time after eliminating my debt. In fact with my retail schedule I sometimes only work 3-4x/week which I actually much prefer if I didn’t care about making money to pay off my debt. So absolutely once I pay off the debt I’d love to go part time!
If you don’t like working at a pharmacy, have you thought about working at a pharmaceutical company? Can you get a research job with a PharmD degree at a company?
Hi Mike, thanks for the comment. I have, but research is not actually that high up on my interest list. I’ve done research internships in undergrad (although not in a pharmaceutical company) and found that it wasn’t really my cup of tea. In general, research jobs prefer Masters or Ph.D. from what I know so there are few openings for a research position with a PharmD.
Great article, nicely written. Just what the doctor ordered.
All kidding aside. Retail pharmacy sucks because people suck and there’s the weekend on call. Plus, “I need a prior authorization”?
Go into business development with an insurance company like United, Aetna, etc.
They hire actual pharmacists to be subject matter experts. Never deal with another customer again, never worry about those drive-thru windows (bad idea ever), mean customers, mean provider help desks, etc.
A pharmacist subject matter expert would help insurance executives understand how pharmacy processes work in the real world setting, and provide insight into how to make retail pharmacy more efficient.
Lots of research and writing. Which is fun.
Cool new topics are transparent pbm models, predictive pbm models, etc.
Go for it.
Love your sense of humor T.Vo! And so sorry for the late response. Your comment somehow got lost and I didn’t get to see it till now.
Thank you for the advice! You seem to enjoy your job very much so I’ll definitely look into it.
I actually had a little stint working for an insurance company, however, it was only a contract position that lasted shorter than I had hoped for. So I’m still reeling from that disappointment.
I also rarely see any postings for these unconventional Pharm.D positions (especially a full time one) so I’ll definitely keep an eye out if I see anything!
I totally agree. I have been working as a pharmacist for past 4 years in Ontario Canada…4 to midnight shift 5-6days a week which would not allow me doing any social activity. Plus No meal time. While Im at work as my pharmacy is crazy busy. Sadly no one cares about improving our working environment..
We work for less every year and our big corporate company get more profits..
Im hoping to work as part time and do something else that I would rrally enjoy or that would at least allow me some break times while working..
Yes! 100% agree with you Jy. I’m sad to hear that the work condition is not much better for pharmacists in Canada either. But part-time/taking a break is always the dream, right?
I read all the comments of everyone feeling sad, just wanting to vent, and reveal the same truth we all know. Pharmacist are not united and thats how the corporations keep us in the palms of their hands. Advocate for provider status, if we can get NPI to bill for services I bet you half the retail pharmacists would quit and leverage would tilt back towards those who stay in it. For some reason no one has exposed pharmacy schools yet.
Absolutely! And I really couldn’t agree more about how crazy it is with how many pharmacy schools are opening/just opened these last few years when demand for pharmacists has already gone down. Where are the new grads going to find jobs?
We can’t. I’ve been out since 2017 with nothing. Lived with my parents for a year. Tried moving with my fiancee 1500 miles away, got a second state license, and still haven’t found anything. It seems hopeless. I’ve applied to 13 residencies in 4 states at $43/application + $150 to register and haven’t heard a thing, so it feels like “going back for a residency” is a bit of a myth these days for those without some pretty serious connections.
I’m so sorry to hear that. Don’t get discouraged Anon and keep trying! I have a friend who was in the same situation as you. Graduated in 2017, couldn’t find a job for a year and even got a second state license.
Luckily she found a job a little over a year later at her home state so there’s hope! I wish you the best of luck!
Im from the UK, your saying a tech lab job won’t hire you because of your bachelors? Isn’t that higher than a high school diploma and more desirable ?
I wish people would speak up more like you do, so high school and college graduates understand exactly what they may be getting themselves into. I’ve been looking for over 6 months and I have experience. I get rudely ignored by recruiters and I don’t even get a thank you for your application or any updates from employers. I can’t even get a response for a night shift position and I told one recruiter here in Texas I’d work anywhere in the state doing just about anything. I think I did get one thanks but no thanks from CVS only to see the job is still posted or perhaps was never taken down.
Thanks Dina, that means a lot. It was actually part of the reason I felt compelled to write this post. I just felt like I was misled and had a rude awakening upon graduating so I wanted to put my story out there especially for people just thinking of getting into pharmacy school.
Great article! I feel your pain. I’ve been a pharmacist for 19 years and have disliked every minute of it! I am just glad to see that you are not waiting as long as I did before starting to do something about it. I think the key is to begin working on creating other income streams while still working as a pharmacist. I started an affiliate website. It’s not an overnight success, but it’s a start and it’s something that I enjoy. It is my hope to also dive into other online ventures as well. I sincerely wish you and other pharmacists struggling with these issues, inspiring and prosperous ideas that lead to a better, happier, more prosperous way to make a living.
Thank you for your comment and encouragement Lavern!
I’m in my first year of pharmacy and honestly, I randomly applied for my school during the beginning of my gap year after undergrad. I didn’t see any prospect in doing a masters/PhD for psychology or neuroscience (my double majors in undergrad) so this seemed like a good job to me. I love learning about drugs and ways to optimize their use & prevent addiction so this all seemed like a good idea for me to apply (I also shadowed in patient and out patient pharmacies). But I never really looked into the downsides of this field (other than saturation, but there a plenty of cities up North – where i live – that need pharmacist & I don’t mind relocating). TBH my second option was law, and i did see the negatives of it and decided against it. my point of writing this is: does it get better? are you liking your job more now? or do you hate it more? or is it still the same?
Hi Layla, it is crazy to think of how alike your thoughts were to mine when I first applied to pharmacy school. I do wish you the best in your journey but to answer your question: does it get better? Unfortunately for me, it did not get better. I will say I’ve gotten more used to the daily stress and have come to expect it instead. However, stress is still stress and I do still dislike it as much as I did when I first wrote this post.
I have been working in retail pharmacy for 8 years now and was frustrated and sad until I realized a fun fact: every job sucks. Of course there are some lucky guys out there who have the “job of their dreams”, but for the vast majority of people working means fatigue, tiredness, frustration, regret, difficulty, adversity, fear, you name it. I will tell you more, work must suck, that’s why we call it work and that’s the reason we get payed for it. A retail pharmacist makes more money than an archeologist simply because being a retail pharmacist “sucks more” than being an archeologist. As a pharmacist you don’t get a salary, you get a “frustration indemnity”. Think about it.
It’s true Jack. I do feel like I just have to “suck it up” because I’m sure every job has their own stressors. Sometimes I just wonder if I should have chosen a less “sucky” job for less pay.
The only advice I can give you if you decide to stay in retail: don’t be too hard on yourself. Pharmacists are taught to be anxious perfectionists but believe me, ten years from now nobody will care about all the work you did today. Take it easy. There is a drugstore on every corner of our cities. Let the phone ring a few seconds more, it is not 911, if it is not important they’ll hang up and try later. People are waiting in line for 20 minutes to get their Starbucks Latte Macchiato, they can wait for their “Azithromycin against flu” as well. And remember to drink a lot of water during your shifts, you will have more bathroom breaks 🙂
Thank you Jack. Your advice really brought a smile to my face 🙂 I’m sure with all the stress at retail, your team must appreciate your sense of humor.
Advice from a seasoned pharmacist who has been practicing for 25 years. When I started it was awesome! The jobs were plenty, the financial compensation was well worth it and the opportunities did give you a sense of accomplishment in helping your patients. However, over the last 15 years something sinister occurred. More and more pharmacy schools opened and a surplus of RPH become the norm so PGY-1 was invented and then PGY-2 and now I hear rumors of PGY-3. What?? So you do 6 years of school and can do up to 3 years of additional training and maybe you will be lucky enough to land $85K-110K. It’s a total waste, go to medical school instead. The financial compensation is puny for that level of debt and training. I have kids who started at my hospital that owe well over $200,000 and I feel like that are being totally taken to the cleaners. How can these young people begin with such a crutch, how can they clear out the debt with only $85,000 a year? In addition, all the professional fees are overwhelming, it’s like you need a certification for everything and in order to keep each one hundreds of dollars are dished out yearly. I will tell you I started in retail and moved into hospital 20 years ago, I have been board certified for 12 years and I have amazing opportunities at my hospital, this I’m very grateful for. If I was starting out I would not head down the long road my younger coworkers are heading down, it’s just too much debt. With all that training and schooling compensation should start out 30K-40K higher.
I tell my children don’t bother with pharmacy the risk does not give an adequate return.
Thank for your this comment Rose. I think prospective pharmacy students really need to hear this, especially from an experienced pharmacist like yourself.
Unfortunately I’m in the same position as some of the new pharmacists you’ve worked with, starting with ~$200,000 in debt (as you probably know from the title of my blog) and I’d never wish my position on anyone else so I’m glad you’re shedding light on the issue!
Are you sure I should go to medical school, where I live it’s 5 years like pharmacy but isn’t the workload less than medicine ?
I agree with everything Rose said above !!! I am also a seasoned pharmacist with almost 23 years and if there is one Wise and honest advice I can give to pharmacy school students or those of you considering pharmacy as a profession , please rethink your decision. I want to save you heart ache and over 120K debt. Go to medical school instead or if you are an introvert , switch to engineering , computer science or an IT degree. All my friends in these other fields live a better quality of life . What used to be a wonderful profession , has now been destroyed by corporations and too many schools opening.
This is what baby boomers have done to every occupation and for that matter every part of society in general. They got “theirs” then the fat, lazy entitled over consuming pigs that they are ruined it for the younger generations. Now boomers are shocked the country is falling apart. Hmmmm I wonder why?
Thank you for sharing the post! I got accepted into a pharm school that would give me +200k in debt and as more as I see the saturation issue for pharmacy field, its really sad and scared me and I really dont know if I should continue this path. As i am an introverted i thought being a pharmacist would be the best choice. And also I came from a low income family so the thought of not being able to pay the debt with low job opportunities really scares me.
What other careers would you pick if you can start over again?
Hi Kim, thank you for the comment and sorry for the late response. I’m glad you asked and actually I should thank you and other readers who’ve asked me the same question for inspiring me to write my follow up post 1-Year Update as a Pharmacist https://www.millennialmayday.com/1-year-update-after-becoming-a-pharmacist/
I answered this question and some other popular questions that I’ve gotten regarding this topic. Please check it out as it’s too long for me to write in the comment!
Hey! Wow this is so powerful and I can see how you feel this way. You should look into finding a new field within the Pharmacy profession. You don’t necessarily have to be in a retail pharmacy. You could try to other things like being a consulting pharmacist, hospital pharmacist, or an ambulatory pharmacist that works in a doctors office, or so much more! Just don’t give up so quick right now! You just have to find the job that works for you and what you want to do in your career.
Best of luck!
Xo, Makaela
http://www.uniquelymickie.com
Hi Makaela,
Thanks for the comment! I am definitely looking into other options beyond retail pharmacy.
I took a peek into your blog and am happy to see you are doing well in pharmacy school. Good luck in your last year. You’re on the home stretch now!
Thank you for your post! I am in a very difficult situation right now. I got accepted into pharm school but after reading so so many issues about saturations and working conditions, I feel really scared and lost. I dont know if I should continue forward to this path or picking a different career. I feel like my future is really gloomy and I dont know what to do. If you can choose again, which career would you choose? Hope to hear your advice.
Hi Anh,
Thanks for the comment! I’m sorry you’re dealing with this dilemma.
Regarding your question, I actually wrote a follow up post titled 1-Year Update as a Pharmacist https://www.millennialmayday.com/1-year-update-after-becoming-a-pharmacist/
I answered your question and some other popular questions that I’ve gotten regarding this topic. Please check it out as it’s too long for me to write in the comment!
I hope that post will help you clear up your mind to help you make your decision.
Hi Anh,
I hope you did not go to pharmacy school. Please warn every student out there in pharmacy school and pre pharmacy, do not do it. Consider Medical school or nursing instead. There are more opportunities in these fields. Pharmacy has been destroyed by big corporations and the greed of more schools opening. Choose becoming an MD. You will end up spending the same amount of years in school and debt will be easier to pay off because your income and opportunities are limitless, unlike in Pharmacy.
Do you mean in the medical career, opportunities are limitless?
Stay positive! There are a lot of different jobs out there for those with a PharmD. I was in the same boat as you 10 years ago. Now I’m out of retail doing consulting with companies on the pharmacy benefits they offer their employees. I love my job. Just keep your eyes and ears open for a job that will interest you.
Thanks for the advice Danny! Your gig sounds awesome, and this is the first time I’m hearing about anything like that. I will definitely keep a look out for anything similar.
Good jobs in pharmacy are rare . Go to medical school. This a better long term solution and you will be better appreciated !
Hi! This article really shed some light on the whole pharmacy misconception. I’ve applied to a couple of schools and hopefully will be accepted! However, before applying, I knew I didn’t want to do retail pharmacy or hospital pharmacy. However, I don’t know what exactly in pharmacy I want to do; I’ve considered psychiatric pharmacy. But I have time! I just don’t want to spend 4 years getting a degree, just to get a job I don’t like and then going back to school and spending more money when could’ve saved myself the hassle to begin with. Do you know of any non-traditional jobs for people with a PharmD? Additionally, now that you have the degree and the job you don’t like, will you stick with it or do you see yourself getting another degree and/or job?
I wish you the best of luck! Hopefully things get better!
Hi Chinwe, thanks for the comment. There are some non-traditional jobs for people with Pharm. D. It will be far less common than retail and hospital jobs but you can pursue a fellowship and work in the pharmaceutical industry. I’ve also heard of some consulting jobs and some positions working in insurance companies.
Regarding your question of what I see myself doing in the future, I actually wrote a follow-up post titled 1-Year Update as a Pharmacist https://www.millennialmayday.com/1-year-update-after-becoming-a-pharmacist/
I answered your question and some other popular questions that I’ve gotten regarding this topic. Please check it out as it’s too long for me to write in the comment!
I just read this. I live in a third world country but the education here is quite well and cheap if there are previous academic achievements so I will graduate without any debt however I saw many people complaining about their draining jobs in retail pharmacy, does it get any better in industrial or clinical pharmacy or should I consider opting for M.D. after my D-Pharm degree?
Get the MD. They are compensated much better. Too many risks involved in pharmacy. It’s a career with no margin for error. Expectations are high. Very stressful. I hate my career choice.
MD and Pharm.D are two very different professions in my opinion. Obviously, I’ve never worked as an MD to tell you much about it. But I’d say pick one or the other. Don’t waste your time getting a Pharm. D then an M.D.
2019 will mark 40 years in Pharmacy for me. I started in the days of manual typewriters, no computers, and now I am on my 10th software system, or is it my 12th?
The job is far more demanding and stressful than it used to be, but there are moments of grace.
For most of my career I have worked in rural, underserved areas. I have worked with multiple generations of families. Just today, I helped a child whose father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were or still are customers of mine. The pace is brutal, the metrics and the staffing unrealistic, and the insurance adjudication is miserable, but there are still moments of grace.
Meet your customers with courtesy, treat them with dignity, and make an effort to be kind. Don’t lose your compassion. Some of my angriest, most obnoxious customers have become some of my most beloved customers, because I made a decision to win them over. It takes time to build relationships.
I have worked in stores in affluent areas. The customers were better educated, but not easier to deal with. I discovered that wealth and arrogance are worse than poverty and ignorance.
Would I choose this profession again? Maybe not. Maybe I would choose horticulture. But I am glad I became a pharmacist. I have made a difference in the world, however small.
“But I am glad I became a pharmacist. I have made a difference in the world, however small.” Love this comment Erin. Sometimes when I have bad days I think about the customers who were thankful for my help and it just makes everything feel better.
On a different note, I have met many pharmacists who share the same sentiments as you that pharmacy was a great career to enter 10 years ago but not today. Todays’ pharmacy is so focused on the metrics that we start losing that patient-centered compassion.
Thank you so much for this article. I’m going into my second year as a retail pharmacist and let me tell you…I have shed many tears over this profession. I have never been treated so poorly than by customers at the pharmacy. Most of my days I go through without any food other than a granola bar or piece of fruit because there is “a counseling, a doctor call, a transfer, a waiter.” Like you said, I am emotionally and physically exhausted after my shifts. My anxiety/depression have both been worse since starting this job. I have $220,000 in debt and feel like I am stuck working retail. I wish there was something I could do so that I could pursue something else that I am actually passionate about, but my debt does not allow me to. Again, thank you for this article. I wish there was something we could do to change this!
I feel you girl. We’re definitely in a very similar situation in our lives right now. And I hope it gets better for both of us!
I will say those customers are not worth your tears though! No matter what happens you should always remind yourself that you’re doing your best and there are always going to be people that are going to be unhappy and that’s on them. Not on you!
And it’s not worth going all day without eating and ruining your health for your job. So eat up!
I am a pharmacy technician in retail and a college student and I couldn’t agree this is SPOT ON!!!! Thank you so much for your honestly! I truly hope it gets better or you find another job.
Thanks for the comment Tiffany! I honestly believe pharmacy technicians rarely get the recognition they deserve. You guys are the backbone of the pharmacy! Good luck and have fun in college 🙂
Retail life is tough, just the nature of the pharmacy profession today. Have you considered the education field? We had several relatively young professors in school- all of which were great at what they did.
HI Paul, thanks for the comment. I actually have not considered the education field at all since I have a fear of public speaking. But I’m sure the career can be quite rewarding, seeing your students learn and grow into pharmacists. Thanks for the suggestion!
Brother! You may start your pharmacy setup, like me, hope you will find it better than your expectation. When ever you’re doing job you will feel the regret.
It pains a lot if you’re already registered to do Pharmacy ,now in the middle of nowhere but let me conclude by saying ,nothing is cheap in life we got to hold on…..proud to be a future Pharmacist lol.
help guys ,what about being a Chemical Engineer? Really affected with the majority of comments ,i think i have to look for alternatives.
Go into engineering. Don’t go into pharmacy. I am saving you the heart ache of high debt , lack of good opportunities and disrespect. Consider engineering or medical school.
Hi Avery!!!
Thank you so much for this post. I was googling about pharmacist jobs and am so thankful to have found this!!!!!
People who say “this is common for all fields,” may be accurate but I can completely vouch with everything in this article. At 24, having been a CPhT since I was 18, I have struggled to even be accepted into a pharmcy program here in NC.
Unlike you I was never a bookworm. I had trouble connecting with any subject in school because at heart I was much more interested in creative pursuits like art and theater.
I tried to work as a fulltime technican for Walmart and drive two hours back and forth to school 2-3 times per week while working on my undergrad in clincial research (joke degree lol) and I was only stopped last april by a horrible car accident that put me in a wheelchair for the rest of 2018.
This break from working and taking uppers and downers caused my body to go into shock as I went through detox. I had tremors, hallucinations, horrible sleep, and extreme anxiety worse than any “panic attack😒” I had ever had.
For me, my adhd medication led me to seeking anything to help alleviate the horrible and extensive feelings of being a zombie just running on autopilot. It was my gateway drug. It led to benzodiazepine abuse because enough wasn’t enough in a week’s time.
Drinking in excess isn’t a joke in the pharmacy. It has almost become a way life and such a non-problematic topic. It felt like every night we would leave the abuse of work to get home and abuse our bodies with the posion that is alcohol.
I did not mean to turn this into a long post but pharmacy is close to my heart. I am at the point where I do not have a degree or a job and I do not know where to go from here. I had all of my eggs in one basket and I do not want to live with these monsters on my back! Student debt, hating my career, surviving dependent on drugs!!!
I do not know if you pray Avery but if you do please say a small prayer for Christian in NC and I will say a prayer for Avery the pharmacist. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so sorry to hear about your struggle Christian. I hope that things get better for you and know that they will. Don’t lose hope!
I have been a pharmacist for ten years now and I was exactly in your shoes about 5-6 years ago. I feel like I could have written this article verbatim. Keep the job hunt going! Where you are now is not where you will be forever, but it is a good starting point for you professionally and financially. I now work at an outpatient hospital pharmacy that dispenses discharge medications and works on optimizing transition of care. It has all of the clinical facets I learned in pharmacy school while still being able to interact with patients in a dispensing role. I also would not have been effective at this job had I not gone through the rigorous years of straight retail nonsense, which gave me an edge in terms of efficiency and workflow management. I have done a complete 180 and I love my job and the work I do every day. Remember what brought you to this career to begin with, and remember that this is not the last stop in your career path. Best wishes to you!
Thank you so much for the encouraging words Jen! I agree with you that the upside of being in retail is that I’ve been able to take what I’ve learned on managing workflow and efficiency to apply to other parts of my life.
Any updates on what you’re doing now? I am going through a very similar situation. Graduated in 2017, worked at a chain as an intern and floater for 3 years total, and left due to the stress and toll my body was going through. I currently work for an independent compounding pharmacy (1.5 years now) and am extremely unhappy with how my PIC/owner runs the business. Everything seems to be about money and I am feeling very disillusioned with the profession. I am considering going back to school or moving back home with my parents and doing something else. I can’t help but feel like a failure. It sucks!
Hi Mary,
I actually wrote a 1 Year Update post (https://www.millennialmayday.com/1-year-update-after-becoming-a-pharmacist/) if you’re interested in checking out how I’ve been doing more recently.
Overall, I’m in a better place than I was when I wrote this post. I am currently staffed in one of the lower-volume stores in my district. I also still float sometimes. But the experience I gained in my first year definitely helped me gain confidence in the pharmacy which has led to happier days.
Of course, I still struggle with the issues I talked about in this post but to a lesser extent now.
Yes, independent gets a better reputation than big corporations sometimes but it really is a hit/miss depending on the owner.
The Armed Forces are always looking for medical professionals like pharmacists. The best thing about it, for those of you don’t want to see combat, is that no matter where you go in this world, you will do just that….be a pharmacist. The down side is that you do have to have to relocate every few years, but that might be a major upside to those of you looking for new adventures.
Each military branch has their own pros/cons. More than likely you won’t have to work weekends or more than 8 hours.
Thanks for the info Jonathan! Will definitely look into it 🙂
I love this article and completely agree with everything. I believe we graduated about the same time in 2017, and I remember coming home crying every night for the first six months or so. I do think my anxiety about work has gotten better with time though. I know it’s terrible to say, but I care less now than I ever have (truly the only way to stay sane in retail) and once I got past the BS that you are going to change lives and actually make a difference, I was okay.
I fully agree with this. Pharmacy is a damn hell on earth, I am a pharm.tech working in a hospital and it’s real not what I thought as I did when in school. Saw article’s title and I ran into reading it for I had to see what others experience too. Dealing with health insurance funds and companies is the worst part, procurement procurement process makes me exhausted.. Prescribers on the other hand give me headache every single passing day. My hobby is cooking, I currently think I should offer most of my efforts in meals at least they help me adjust the sail…….
I am currently an undergrad student, and similar to you, being a pharmacist has been my dream since I was a kid. But after reading this article (and the comments), I’m worried that maybe being a pharmacist isn’t the best idea. Do you have any tips for an undergrad student whose dream was to become a pharmacist?
Hi Karen, have you worked in the pharmacy before (perhaps as a tech)? I would recommend being familiar first with the work setting and the job before deciding if you want to pursue pharmacy.
I know some techs that actually love the work environment even if sometimes more stressful setting of retail pharmacy and decided to become a pharmacist because (and knowing full well) of what the job entails. That may be you.
Who knows, maybe my opinion (and some of the comments here) may not apply to you. But you won’t really know unless you try it first. So I definitely recommend applying to become a tech first. Even if it doesn’t work out, at least you’ll get some experience. Hope this tip helps you out!
I too am not happy with my job as a pharmacist. I don’t enjoy my work at all. I feel burned out almost everyday with the stressful work environment where we have to be fast and correct. Sometimes, I feel like quitting. My parents kind of forced me into this. They are not understanding, especially my mum. They sort of blame me for choosing this career. I already explained to them many, many times , and they don’t get it. I don’t know what to do. The salary is good but I don’t enjoy my work. After my 3-year contract, I am planning to find another job. I don’t know what career to choose.
Hey, I’d like to add my opinion here.
I graduated over a decade ago $165k in debt when the job market was relatively good. Even then, I advised people not to go into pharmacy without first working as a tech in a retail pharmacy. You have to know what you’re getting into, and you really should want to be a pharmacist. Too many people back then were lured in on salary alone. That’s foolish.
Fast forward to today… salaries for new grads are the same or lower than when I graduated. My buddy who hires pharmacists says they will only give new hires 32 hours. The pop-up pharmacy schools have pumped out pharmacists while decreasing standards. Pretty much anyone with a pulse gets in. Also, when I took the NAPLEX it was so easy it was a joke. I was startled that there were pharmacy students who couldn’t pass it on the first try.
Most newer pharmacists I talk to have $200k+ in student loans having spent 6-8 years in school forgoing other major income. I would definitely NOT recommend pharmacy if that’s the situation you would be put in.
However, if you can get out of school with under $100k and are confident you’ll get a job in the market you want, I don’t think it’s as bad as some make it sound. Beware though, you are on your feet 8-12 hours a day with little to no breaks. That part isn’t a big deal to me, but it doesn’t meet some people’s expectations as a medical professional.
I graduated at a good time, so I made out okay. If i had to do it all over again in the current environment, my choice hands down would be to go to medical school and specialize. Back when I graduated I could get a job anywhere nationwide so I didn’t want to deal with matching and multiple moves that med school would likely require.
Do pharmacy only if you are passionate about it and can get out of school with limited debt.
I I was a retail pharmacist for 20 years. I quit in the summer of 2017, and have drained 50 thousand of my 65 thousand 401k to live off of since quitting. (Should have had a larger 401k after 20 years but had loans, mortgage, was a single mom, etc). People would say that was crazy, but I considered it time off from the “pharmacy prison”. It is genuinely a disgusting profession that is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining on a daily basis. By about my fifteenth year, I used to go home and sob, literally sob as I prayed for God to release me, somehow, someway, from the profession. Over the years I gained 80 pounds, smoked, aged my looks tremendously, and had insomnia starting about three years in., all from the job. It’s a wonder my bladder didn’t completely shut down after years of not getting a chance to run to the bathroom until about 8pm( after starting the work day at 830 am). I loved the people, and helping people,, was always kind to them, and I’m not a complainer at all. But yes, that’s how bad being a retail pharmacist is. I’m now looking at 15 dollars an hour jobs, but might have to return to pharmacy for finances. I’m dreading it. But here’s some tips for you. Sorry, unsolicited, but here goes.
First, congrats on finishing school and doing this job. If you can handle this, you can handle just about anything. Second, you’re smart for paying down loans and not going crazy spending your money. Save and pay off loans, but take a nice trip or treat yourself to something nice, even if only once, you deserve the reward. Third, look into jobs such as at an outpatient pharmacy at a hospital, they can still be super busy, but no getting yelled at over the price of a bag of chips, and usually better hours. Drug companies, insurance companies, and independent pharmacies, can also possibly be better options, Fourth, you’re young, and apparently good with money, so you’ve good two great things in your favor. I just turned 51, agh. Also, cultivate any hobbies. After 15 years I got a chance to decrease my hours to part time. My first week with my decreased hours, I started writing stories out of the blue. Now my tv show and play have been performed in New York City, and I’m going to keep at it with these dreams. As much as you can, try meditation, prayer, comedy tv and movies, any kind of exercise, even taking a slow walk, anything to help you on your days off. Sorry for going on, but I obviously got much to say on this topic, lol. I think great things are going to happen for you, and you won’t be stuck being miserable at your job, like I was for so long. Plus with a PharmD, you have more options, unlike us 1997 grads. Sending you much luck and happiness.
Thank you Lisa for all your great advice and for the warm wishes. Really appreciate it! 🙂
Hi Avery,
I am 23 and prospective pharmacy student and have recently been accepted to the pharmacy school of choice in California. However, I am now hesitant to accept the offer due the saturated job market for pharmacists. I would love to hear your thoughts on these questions:
Do you advice going to medical school instead of pharmacy school?
Is the job market saturated for specialized pharmacists or mainly retail pharmacists?
Any response to these questions would be extremely helpful. I recognize going to pharmacy is a huge decision; going through 4+ years of school and coming out with $200,000 worth of debt. Thank you in advance!
Hi Marissa,
I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know too much about medical school or how a career in medical field is so I cannot say if pharmacy or medical school is the better option.
I’d really advice you to speak to medical students for advice on that route.
As for pharmacy, the specialized field is very saturated, that is why most people settle for retail pharmacy.
I would also consider looking for scholarships or cheaper school alternatives if you are set on pharmacy school because trust me when I say that $200k debt is a hell to pay back.
You’ll be looking at being a broke student for 4 years then going another 3-5 years staying “broke” while paying off your student loans (if you plan to pay aggressively).
Hi Marissa,
Please listen to me carefully . Go to medical school !! The pharmacy profession is saturated and you will end up with so much debt and regret if you choose pharmacy . I am a pharmacist with almost 23 years of experience and if I had to do it over again , I would choose medical school . I want better for you and all the young people considering this career path . Please don’t make this mistake of going to pharmacy school . The integrity of the profession has been destroyed by too many schools opening ( medical schools have not done this to preserve demand / supply balance ) , lack of good opportunities, disrespect, and long stressful hours that include weekends, nights and holidays, and high liability. Make the switch now and go to medical school . You will thank me later in your life . And pass this along to your other friends wishing to go to pharmacy school. It would be a grave mistake .
Here’s another sad story. I’m 57 years old, graduated with a 5 year bachelor of pharmacy degree. I was disappointed with pharmacy from the start. It was nothing like what we were told about in college. No one cared about counseling, screening for drug interactions or helping patients. It was always about sales for the day and prescription count. It was hard for my brain to wrap around this new world I had stepped into. It shouldn’t matter, I thought, how many prescriptions I filled or how much money we made. I was there to help patients. Unfortunately, that didn’t jive in the real world, where you earn wages through sales and give away your knowledge and advice, to anyone who asks, for free. I’ve worked long term care, mail order, and retail. I didn’t like the 87 cameras on us in the 90s doing mail order, even though we had no drugs on site (we were the front end part with data entry) . There were weekly and daily reports posted showing everyone’s productivity. I was always in the middle of the pack, so I was safe. The lowest 10% always were being re-educated on productivity. Now, I consider that job a dream job! Scheduled breaks and lunches, 2 hours standing, then 2 hours sitting, then rotate again. Now for the past 15 years I have been working retail pharmacy and its just slowly gotten worse. First the increase in narcotic dispensing, then immunizations, and always less and less staffing. As our pay rose, the hours of tech help decreased until now where there is such a work load, that I truly never have a break or lunch, and I don’t ever expect one. Now remember I’m 57, standing on basically concrete floors for the past 30 years has nearly destroyed my knees, my hips, and my back. Imagine yourself like me, two kids in collegr, trying not to lose my job to a younger, faster, and less expense pharmacist who will agree to do anything to get a job so he/she can pay off debts. Now, if you can picture that, then all I can say is pay off your debts and then get the hell out of pharmacy before you get married, have a couple kids, and are stuck for the rest of your life. Being a pharmacist, (or tech) is a thankless horrible job, not a “career”. You will use little of the knowledge you learned and few will care about what you tell them. I wish I had gone into engineering, or geophysics like my son, or genetics like my daughter, or even a dishwasher (my very first job). All of which would be more satisfying than being a pharmacist.
If I could tell every pharmacy school student out there the truth about pharmacy , I would . Reconsider your choice and get out ! Rethink your choice and consider medical school instead even if you are currently in pharmacy school now. Make the jump and don’t look back . With the same number of years in school and debt amount , you will end up with an MD with more opportunities then you can dream of and go anywhere you choose to practice !! Also , you will be more respected and appreciated. Pharmacy profession is saturated and getting worse! Too many schools have opened and ruined this profession to the point that companies are taking advantage of pharmacists ! The hours are long , stressful and lacking quality of life, not to mention the lack of respect ! All my friends who chose the MD route are happier then all those who took the PHarmD path. MD is better quality of life , more autonomy, more lucrative , and definitely more respect . The risk of going to pharmacy school is not worth the pay off . Good jobs are rare and you will be lucky to get paid well after all those years of school !
Reading this honestly scares me. I’ve dedicated my whole 4 years of highschool thinking I could be a pharmacist, but reading these comments shake me! Do I have another other options in biochemistry rather than being a pharmacist please inform me! Thank you.
Hi Zaki,
Research is another option you can consider as a biochemistry major. I have a friend who went the industry route, received a master after a biochemistry major and is now working for a well known drug company. She seems to enjoy her work very much.
This is definitely a relatable post, I am a pharmacist and considering going back to school for NP, is anyone aware of any schools with a short pathway?
Thank you
How about PA? NP requires you to become a nurse first then collecting more patient care hours before getting into NP schools. For PA schools, you only need to take pre reqs (rec letters, patients care hours) to apply
I have been working in Retail chain pharmacy for almost 2 yrs now, let me tell you this job will suck the life out of you, everything avery mentioned is 100%, there is little to no respect to what we’re trying to achieve at the pharmacy, and im including Dr offices, patients, and even your employers sometime… from year 1 and i am considering going into music composition, my plan is to reduce my work hours and do something I’m passionate about where i can feel more valued. more alive!
If you could have done it differently what would you become? What type of degree would you get? Thinking about going to pharmd school. I am older and currently going back to school, taking prerequisite classes. I can’t afford spending years before earning good money.
Hi Miriam,
I would probably consider going for a computer science degree if I could do it all over again. Job prospect seems good and a 4 year bachelor degree is enough to start making good money.
ok its 2020 has ur job gotten better cus I’m in 10th grade and idk was I wanna be and I though pharmacy would be easy cus I want something easy to do so if it hasn’t gotten better wat do u recommend I should be also do u make a lot of cash cus I want a easy job with lots of money
Hi there,
I’ve made a couple of updates over the years on how my job has been since I made this post. Hope these help!
1 year update: https://www.millennialmayday.com/1-year-update-after-becoming-a-pharmacist/
3 year update: https://www.millennialmayday.com/3-year-update-as-a-retail-pharmacist/
Wonderful information, thanks a lot for sharing kind of content with us. Your blog gives the best and the most interesting information on why I regret becoming a pharmacist. I wonder if we can gather such practical information about it, a great post definitely to come across.
If you are a RPh throw your degree in the trash can. I have been trying to get a job a with my RPh degree and every time a PharmD , usually with a few years post graduation, the most dangerous, is hired even though I have 20 years of extensive hospital experience in every area of hospital practice.
My profession has screwed me.
Hi. Thank u for your article. I am a swedish pharmacist and I felt the same as you when i worked in pharmacy. In sweden we also have bachelor degree pharmacist who do the same tasks and get almost the same salary. Thats also a annoying thing. There is no respect for higher degree. It is also a very strange generic system so you have to ask the patient if they want to change the generic everytime the pick up the medicine. Tasks that u may get in conflict with patient because they always trust tje doctors more. I am so disappointed aswell.
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for sharing your info! I’ve always been curious how the pharmacy career is like in other countries. I am saddened but not shocked that it is just as disappointing in other countries as it is in the U.S.
I am so sorry to hear about your experiences as pharmacist. I recently retired after working as a pharmacist for 40 years and loved every minute of my career.
Please consider exploring options such as working for the VA or the Indian Health Service or a community hospital. These places appreciate and utilize your training and expertise.
Wish you well in your future endeavors.
New grad here and almost a year out of school still job hunting… I hope things get better but it’s really discouraging. I’m begging for a retail job I don’t think I can get in anywhere else.. covid is hitting hard and it’s so saturated there are no jobs…
Hi Angela, I believe retail chains are currently hiring temporary pharmacists to help administer COVID vaccines. I would apply to see if you can at least get a foot in the door, hopefully it can turn into a full time position. Wishing you the best of luck in your job search.
Hey reading your blog post. Thank you for your prospective on the profession. Have you considered becoming a preceptor or possibly working for a pharmacy school. You mentioned you love school and your good at it. Just a thought. But thank you for sharing yours.
Hi Brandi,
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate the suggestion!
I have had interns at the pharmacies I worked at and I really enjoyed sharing my knowledge with them.
As for working at pharmacy school, I’m not into public speaking (nor do I think I’d be qualified) to become a speaker/adjunct faculty member at a pharmacy school.
I’ll definitely look into other possible careers within academia though! Thanks for the tip 🙂
Hi
I took time to read all your comments and I must confess I was also trying to go into pharmacy too
I am currently a student of Medical biochemistry but my initial plan was medicine
I have been thinking if I should stick with the medicine because a friend of mine said it is limited
Or I should go into pharmacy or medicine
Or continue with the medical biochemistry
Please I need career advice
Hi Edetah,
It seems to me you are debating between 3 very different careers. I assume by medical biochemistry you are referring to the research side (ie drug development, laboratory research). And you are debating between becoming a researcher vs pharmacist vs MD.
All three are within the spectrum of “medicine” so I’d argue that medicine is not a limiting career.
I say you should first decide what your interest is. Is it more lab/research/drug development? If so I’d continue with medical biochemistry.
If you like handling drugs, learning about their mechanism of action and contraindications, then go for pharmacy.
If you like a more hands-on approach and seeing patients or going into a specialty field then I’d go for medicine (assuming by medicine, you mean going to medical school to become a doctor).
Hope this helps and good luck in your career!
Hello Avery
I hope things are getting better for you. I am not in the pharmacy field; but, I did do a major career change in my 30s and so glad I did. I hope you consider other avenues to expand your degree or transfer it. Consider pharmaceutical informatics and you would just need to gain some additional technology training/education or working for pharmaceutical company in which you believe in and want to contribute to the drugs they produce for patient wellness.
I wish you much clarity and success in your career journey!
Hi Gwen,
Thanks for the check in! I’m happy to say that things are better for me now. I’ve switched to a different field within pharmacy that I enjoy a lot more.
Pharmaceutical informatics sounds amazing. It’s actually where I’m trying to pivot myself towards in my current field so I’ll definitely look into some training on that to boost my knowledge. Thank you for your suggestions!
Technical issues. Enough said.
When dispensary software fails, and you have customers waiting – it’s the worst thing.
Hi!
I am glad to hear that things are better for you now in the comments! I am currently studying a degree in Pharmacy and already feel defeated to carry on. I am too far in, almost half way of the course, to let it go now and it has only been worse since I actually started working in retail pharmacy. More so with the toxic working environment, it has really put a mental toll on me. It is hard to think of a brighter path with this field.
Hi Tay!
Yes, things are much better for me now (fingers crossed that it stays that way)! Reading your comment gave me major deja vu. Your current experience really mirrored mine when I had just started my rotations in pharmacy school.
If you do stick with this field, I hope the fact that things are finally better for me now will be the bright spot you need to give you the strength to continue on. Wishing you the best!
Hello!
I wanted to let you know that my experience is one where after completing one year of pharmacy before the pandemic, and taking a year off to intern, I decided pharmacy was not for me. My intention was to do everything possible to get a residency, which would entail doing research, joining clubs, trying to become an officer, etc. However, making a few phone calls to some graduates from my program at a top school, I learned that some who did many things got residencies and jobs. Then there were those who completed residencies, and had no jobs. Then there were those who did all the right things, but did not get a residency, and there was no rhyme or reason to that. I was incredibly concerned because there are more graduates than there are residency spots open, and said to myself, “Ok, I have to ask myself the ‘what if’ question here. If I don’t get a residency, what do I do with myself?” I couldn’t see myself doing academia, nor could I see myself going into industry, and I definitely (after this year) want to avoid retail because I’ve seen how awful it is. There’s the very real danger that I can have done all the things necessary to get a residency, but not qualify, and I don’t think I could envision myself being trapped in a place where, for me, it would be a nightmare. I was wondering what your thoughts or experiences on getting a residency are, if you’ve considered them? It’s been a hard year withdrawing from a program I did well in, but waking up every morning seeing my classmates tell me, “Look, I got first/second/third place on a research project” or “I am now president of these 2 clubs”, etc has had me feeling this “Fear of missing out” type emotion. I know I shouldn’t compare myself, because the path I’m heading towards another part of healthcare, is probably more my niche. I’m not sure what I hoped to accomplish by posting this here, but your post resonates with me. I have been feeling alone in my decision, and my classmates even told me, despite knowing the troubles in pharmacy, they think I’m being a negative nancy. Of course, although it’s hard, the other part of me says to ignore them, and let them enjoy their achievements, and be happy for them. I suppose there is a bit of jealousy there, but I asked myself, to what end, and what would it all mean if I did those same things, but ended up with the real possibility there isn’t anything there for me? 🙁
Hi Gavin,
First of all, I really applaud your courage to admit that pharmacy wasn’t for you and to actually leave school.
I have to say your comment resonates with me as well. I didn’t pursue a residency because of all the things you mentioned. Plus I was already going to be in so much debt that I didn’t think I could afford a year of low salary offered in residency versus going straight into the workforce.
I must say the experiences you’ve heard about are not uncommon. I know people who didn’t get into residency despite having good grades and being active in clubs. I also know people who had to take the retail route despite doing a residency.
So if it’s any consolation to you, I think you made the right choice in switching to a different field.
Thank you for responding Avery! Much appreciated!
One of the scary things I had happen when working at a retail store was seeing a pharmacist reconstitute the covid 19 vaccine without gloves, despite me pointing out that it was not proper protocol as I had learned in class, to which they responded, “That’s just how it is, and we don’t have time to glove up.” Another time, a pharmacist made me spend 2 hours looking on the ground for a pill that was in their pocket, and I was told I couldn’t go on lunch break until I found it. Nor were they helpful when a patient’s medication was found behind the fridge, and no-one came to help me move the fridge to get to it 🙁 I wasn’t sure what to do in those instances, but that was another reason I decided enough was enough. Thank you again! Stay safe!
I still have one year till my graduation and I’m already stressed about my future.
I wish I could get back in time and study something else.
Hi Sarah!
Good luck in your last year. Also it’s never too late to pursue a different passion if you find that pharmacy is not the right career for you. I know some people personally who graduated from pharmacy school but decided to pursue a different path and are now happier with their choice.
I am currently a P3 and every day that I get closer to graduation, the realization that I have made a huge mistake hits me even harder. I remember working as a technician prior to starting pharmacy school and seeing how the pharmacists I worked with truly hated their jobs. Some even advised me to not apply to pharmacy school but of course, I didn’t listen. I thought things would be different for me. I convinced myself I would land a residency position and work as a clinical pharmacist. Now that I know how competitive pharmacy residency programs are I can not help but laugh at how naive I was. I will end up with a stressful retail job and go home everyday feeling miserable and the best part is, this is if I even end up with a job after graduation.
I understand what your going though. It’s so tough for me to see another person get trapped into this profession. I was a retail intern pharmacist for 2 years and currently a retail pharmacist for 4 years. The trama I’ve gone through has been devastating, yet awakening at the same time. I can never go back to that naïve self I once was. I view people through a completely different lens. The best advise I can give you is spend time learning about narcissistic abuse and recovery. I follow Meredith Miller from inner integration and Dr. Ramani. These two people have saved me from losing myself. Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope this helps.
Hang in there. There is much more to our profession than just “count, lick, and stick” in retail. Hospital pharmacy allows you to use your education and critical thinking skills. Home infusion allows for patient and physician interaction using your sterile compounding skills. Pharmacy Director/management positions allow you to use leadership and financial skills; also can lead to senior hospital leadership positions. How do I know? Been a pharmacist over 40 years and done it all (including owning my own pharmacy early in my career). One thing is for sure….retail work in chain pharmacies will suck the life out of you.
Appreciate the positivity Phil 🙂 I am happy to say I’ve made it out of retail pharmacy!
Wow I’m amazed at all the experiences you’ve amassed over the years. It’s great to hear that there are quite a few options beyond the “traditional” pharmacy paths and that you’ve enjoyed it so much that you’ve built a long career in this profession. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
You have no limits….one of my classmate went into journalism (healthcare)…..please disregard the negativity. Our profession is a great way to give to the community and take care of others’ health needs.
and…one more comment….Never lose respect for yourself or our profession. Don’t be afraid to point out to others the correct way to perform our duties and ALWAYS do the right thing (from sterile compounding to following all items in our regulatory environment).
Stumbled upon this. Now I graduated in 2005. In Malaysia. A registered pharmacist. Yes no one gave us an honest view of the actual work out there and many pharmacist do hate it and have an inferiority complex. I have since broken away from pharmacy and now being in insurance. As you are still young, I suggest you take a look at insurance or other areas of healthcare. You can build from there. There is no prospect of long term being in a dispensing role. Unless of course a rich guy picks you up at the counter.
Hi Vincent!
Happy to see you stumble upon this blog! Funny you should mention insurance as that’s the field I’ve transitioned to now! Unfortunately, I never did get picked up by a rich guy while working on the counter… guess I’ll just have to keep working 😅.