Fiancé considering starting all over to become Pharmacist

Nurses Career Support

Published

Let me start by saying I’m not a nurse I can only experience what you all go through through the things my Fiancé tells me after work. She comes home and is physically and mentally drained. And the days before work her spirits drop just thinking about having to return to work.

My biggest question for you all is where should she go from here. She’s been a registered nurse for about 3 years now between 2 different hospitals. From the things she tells me about some of the peoples reaction, she seems like an amazing nurse. But she’s at the point where she is considering going back to school to become a pharmacist. She gained a respect for this industry while she was in school she was working at a pharmacy for about 5 years.

I ultimately don’t want to see her so upset about work of course but I’m also trying to keep our financial future in mind. If we did the math right going back to school to become a pharmacist will cost nearly 100k on top of the student loans that we both already have. I just wanted to throw it out there and see if anyone has been through this or even thought about it. What other options does she have? I really would appreciate any feedback on this topic because as I mentioned this isn’t my field.

Thanks for reading!

Specializes in Community health.

I work in an outpatient clinic (a FQHC) and it is so different from bedside. She may want to try it. For one thing, my schedule is 8:30-5:00. I certainly am helping others, which you said is important to her, but it lacks the chaos of a hospital floor.

She may still decide she wants to do pharmacy, but she definitely needs to try at least one more nursing job before she jumps out of the profession entirely.

1 Votes
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to Career forum

15 hours ago, rockchickrn said:

She may want to consider advancing her nursing degree. That can open up a lot of cool things to do as a nurse.

You would have to go to advanced practice or NP, just a masters won't help. I know I live it.

1 Votes

Unfortunately I didn't chose nursing, it chose me. So, I know how difficult it can be, dread going, hate being there and mental and physical exhaustion. That being said, I know the draw to do something else. The problem is being in debt, put all the money you can on the debt. No vacations, no eating out, etc, and get rid of it. Then decide.

If I had it to do over again I would do healthcare but I would not be a nurse. (at the time I had to be pragmatic). I would do something where there are no emergencies, no weekends, no call, no holidays. Like a registered dietician or something like that.

Specializes in NICU.

As a poster said it takes alot of experience and and icu or ER background to get the nicer jobs,as in a resort nurse,cruise nurse,occupational health,even telephone requires nursing license in those states you are covering, I have many years experience in family care ,certifications but obtaining even a baby nurse position in a home with a top agency required 3 years of experience in a home .

You must get out of debt ,that is the key,then some online courses or whatever she decides,one can not just do things because you will be happier,there is no such thing as 100% satisfaction,all of us here with many years of experience have had to suck it up,tighten our belts,go thru trial by fire at times .It is a matter of survival.

+ Add a Comment