Help! Pharm Tech or Medical Front Office?

[patriciajulia]

Hello, I'm currently in the last of my nursing prerequisites and will soon start applying to nursing schools. For nearly a year now, I have been working as a pharmacy technician and here lately I have been feeling very burnt out on this job, as there is no real room for promotion and it is very repetitive and honestly somewhat boring. I feel like pharmacy is very dead end unless that is actually what you want to do, and for me it definitely isn't lol.

I'm considering trying to find a job working front office in a medical setting, preferably in a plastic surgery clinic/medspa as this is where I ultimately want to make my career. Does this seem like a good idea and like something that will help me to get my foot in the door? Or should I pursue something else which will benefit me more in the long run?

I'm very unsure and any suggestions would be appreciated! :)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The pharmacy technician job will be somewhat beneficial in nursing school due to all of the meds and pharmacology you will be exposed to.

Although there's nothing wrong with working in a med spa/plastic surgery office, RN jobs at these places are not exactly bursting at the seams.

[NotAllWhoWandeRN, ASN, RN]

There may not be a great deal of room for advancement within a pharm tech career, but you can go the extra mile and start learning a great deal about pharmacology beyond the script deciphering and pill counting needed for the job itself. Your employer may offer to pay for education for your CPT (nationally certified pharmacy technician) which will include some pharmacology and dosage calc. Certification should also get you a decent raise.

I can't speak for front office work, but I enjoyed my time as a pharm tech and, based on my experience vs other classmates, had a much easier time with nursing pharmacology because of it. It was a decent income for someone without a college education, and it served its purpose while it lasted. But if you're not happy, it may be worthwhile to explore other options.