PharmD to NP

[thefinestwhoever]

hello everybody, I graduated from pharmacy school, a six-year straight out of high school program. Evaluating my clinical interests and spending some time in an emergency medical service, I do think I would have rather considered nursing instead of pharmacy practice. I did not initially consider nursing as I know that most people earn a BSN before going to NP, however I have heard of somebody who pursued NP after doing a BS in kineseology. I plan to work for a little bit but am wondering if it is a possibility to go straight to an NP program with my pharmacy degree. I have otherwise considered going into medical school, but I will have to take a lot of classes plus the MCAT and it will be a lengthy process of course with residency and all. I feel like the NP may also be closer to what I have always wanted to do (I would like to do a specific specialty) but not sure if pursuing the NP will be too time consuming and impractical in my case. Insight would be appreciated.

[elkpark]

In my opinion, it doesn't make much sense to pursue nursing since you would have an additional 4-6 years of education to become an NP. Since you want to work with patients in a clinical capacity, and you have a degree, you should be a qualified candidate for PA school (physician assistant) which is a masters program. You would likely have pre-reqs complete and only 2 more years of school.

Physician Assistant Careers - What is a Physician Assistant and How to Become a Physician Assistant

PA is certainly an option for the OP, and one that I hope s/he is investigating. Again, though, becoming an NP would NOT require an "additional 4-6 years of education." A direct-entry NP program (of which there are plenty) would be a matter of 2-3 years, no longer than a PA program.

[mgfam]

3 years for ABSN/MSN program.

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Moved to Pre-Nurse Practitioner Inquiry forum.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

I agree with elkpark as I looked into a couple of these program. I have not seen any hard evidence that there is a bias against graduates of these programs by employers, I think that is more of an allnurses rumor than anything. I would assume that the OP should have all the prereqs for most direct-entry programs, so I don't see why it would take any longer than the minimum time for the program.

As a side, the OP may be able to augment his/her income by teaching the pharm class in the program :)

[Palliative Care, DNP]

There goes all the money your education would earn you. My husband is a pharmacist and even when I am an NP I will not make what he does. No way in he double hockey sticks I would ever go to nursing school if I had a pharm D. I tell my kids not to go into nursing.

[Miss Kitty00]

If you have a Pharm D it would be better to do a PA program or medical school. I would bypass nursing all together.

[SmoothKeys]

As a former pharmacy student, I can see where the OP is coming from. First off, if you work retail you'll come to hate the job. You'll come to see the addition of a drive-thru a far cry from all the clinical knowledge you'd hope to apply. The evening news mostly show the pharmacist counting pills and for the most part a pharmacist is on his/her feet all day needing to meet a certain quota and being reminded ever more so at the sound of a beep: "lane 1!"

People talk about money... What money? First off, the market is quite saturated, you've spent six figures for school (hiring bonuses are long gone), and those who are established somewhat are most likely older folks who are still working. When I worked retail, the pharmacist complained of lack of hours, some hated the job. Two nights I helped out at one busy store, they staffed one pharmacist to manage the drive-thru and lobby. She never cracked a smile.

For me, a clinical pharmacist job was no longer in play as I botched my grades while I contemplated my next step. I'd lost interest and in second year, I called it quits. Problem is, I'm not sure if becoming a nurse (beyond being cheaper to earn) is for me still. Yes you learn mostly the same stuff as in pharmacy school, but after graduation, what next? The stories here are alarming and yet, most seem accurate in their day-to-day jobs. Like the OP, I'm thinking along the line of an NP job because I believe here, one actually does put in practice what is learned in school. Heck, even as an RN one better know their stuff! The stress is too great to be passive in clinical and hands-on knowledge. I feel a great job brings satisfaction in any career but it's all about opportunities.

I wished I'd stay the engineering route but it's not stable; law is pricey with hardly any jobs line up; dentistry and medicine are super expensive and time consuming (if you are middle aged with family responsibilities such as myself). For me it's coming down to engineering (mechanical or civil and let the chips fall where they may) or swallow my pride and be perceived as "downgrading" career from pharmD to nursing (one volunteer coordinator refused to place me in a volunteer spot). Fortunately, I only need three courses in advanced math (Calc 2 & 3 and differential equations to transfer to engineering) but those courses (with labs) are offered during the day and I work. Meanwhile I took the Kaplan and scored very high, making nursing next semester a difficult choice to pass on. So as you can see, everyone has different situations that warrant a change.

By the way for PA school, you better make sure you have well over 2000 hours of actual patient contact ("actually touching patients") as the admissions department stressed out. Can I find the time to do this? It's ridiculous all because they want to make sure you were not an MD applicant who didn't make the cut. And not being an MD, I would not think for one second he/she is on top of the world. Many want out!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I'm going to ask this: Have you actually WORKED as a pharmacist yet?

[Palliative Care, DNP]

That's what I'm wondering too. When my husband left retail a year ago he made $65/hr. That is 6 figures without OT. When he wanted to work extra it was more. He did tire of retail and has opened his own store. He has been self employed the last year and loves it.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

I'm not sure the PA would be a better route is true. It might be a shorter route in years, but I'm not sure what else would make it advantageous. I think that may be a personal decision based on a number of factors.

As for the money Mom to 4 is right, every national salary survey I've seen shows PharmD's making more than NPs as an aggregate. I'm sure there are individual NPs who make more than individual PharmDs, but that's not the norm.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

I will never make more than him. Ever especially now that he owns his own store.