NP school or pharmacy

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Hi, im a guy and Im 24 years old. I want to become a nurse so I can help people in dialysis or telemetry. I m interested in pharmacy school and would like to become a pharmacist. All I think about is how much more money pharmacists make. I dont have any children and I m single. I would like to earn money to help buy a house and a car. Right now Im in community college trying to earn my RN. What would be better, go to NP school or pharmacy school after my bsn? or go to pharmacy school after NP school?

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It's a hard decision to make. Both careers are excellent with great job prospects. I wouldn't do NP and then pharmacy school. I would pick one career or the other. Both careers are very different from eachother and best thing to do is to research which career you think you would enjoy the most.

I know you have some financial concerns, but keep in mind that you are young and will be working for a long time and you just want to be sure you do something that you know you are going to enjoy. I think you will do well in both professions. I really don't know how much PharmDs make. NPs starting salaries vary from state to state and really depend on where you work and what type of NP you are, if you are in specialty practice or primary care. Specialty care NPs, I believe, earn more than primary care NPs. Starting salary might be in the 80s or higher, depending on where you work and how much experience you have.

As an NP, you will diagnose and treat patients. As a pharmacist, your job would be very different. So it's really up to. I would say work as an RN for a little while and see how you like caring for patients and if that's not something you like to do, then maybe try pharmacy school. Good luck!

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I agree...don't do np school then pharmacy school, lots of work and expense. You may want to research the job market in your area - are there more pharmacists or np's needed? Then ask yourself what are your goals, and what do you enjoy doing? Most important, do what you enjoy most because you will be doing it for a LONG time!!!!

good luck :)

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I also researched both career tracks before deciding on NP. The bottom line for me was that I wanted to provide direct patient care, so NP was the best choice for me. Think about what you want to be doing every day before you make your final decision.

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I agree...don't do np school then pharmacy school, lots of work and expense. You may want to research the job market in your area - are there more pharmacists or np's needed? Then ask yourself what are your goals, and what do you enjoy doing? Most important, do what you enjoy most because you will be doing it for a LONG time!!!!

good luck :)

Why not do both, Univ of Hawaii is starting a dual program, or at least has received federal funding to do so

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