Nursing School vs. Pharmacy School

roquiejb · Jun 12, 2007

I am a pharmacy tech and I'm currently working in a long term care pharmacy (we provide meds for nursing homes) and I also used to work in a Hospital pharmacy. I've always observed what pharmacists do since I'm also interested in becoming a pharmacist. I think pharmacy is an excellent career. You can work in different settings(long term care, hospital, retail, etc). You can work 40 hours, part time, or prn. Pharmacists at my work make at least $50/hr. Most of them are happy that they took the Pharmacy route. I have never seen a pharmacist look so tired at the end of their shift. If you want some patient contact you can work in retail pharmacy or in the hospital. Clinical pharmacists are involved with planning the patient's therapy and they work with doctors and other peole involved.They also give advise to patients about their medications and they answer questions that the patients may have. For me, pharmacy has some stressful moments and some liability involved but all in all, it's a very laid-back career. You work in a well-lit, clean environment.

DermNP2Be · Jun 13, 2007

I contemplated Med school (actually graduated with an Associates in Pre-med/Chemistry), Optometry, Pharmacy School, and my final decision was... Nursing! I can't begin to tell you how time consuming and agonizing the whole decision took! I actually wasted 2 years of possible education as I couldn't decide so decided to work. In the mean time I shadowed Docs, Pharmacists, Optometrists, then Nursing. The final one won me over. As one poster said earlier, a lot of people on here may slam you for bringing any mention of salary into the equation, but I think it's kind of necessary. I don't think one should be dependent on that as a decision maker/breaker, but it does account for something. And for me, nursing encompassed all of that. It fed my humanistic side, curious side (I would like to do research), and monetary side. And furthermore, my ultimate goal to become a CRNA fed my challenging side. I decided against Med school because of the huge possibility that a lot of students don't match into what specialty they want to be in (Ophthalmology for me), against Optometry (and I actually got accepted early decision!) because of the seemingly monotony and repetition of the job-I need interesting! Decided against Pharmacy for the same reason as Optometry (I honestly saw no challenge in what they do as another poster said the same as the Pharmacist I shadowed- everything's computerized) and the fact that I've heard from Pharmacists that when starting out the hours are horrible- overnight/weekends/just odd hours, and elatedly decided on Nursing. To sum it up, shadow all of your interests until you really get a feel for your future career, then decide.

jjjoy, LPN · Jun 13, 2007

I actually wasted 2 years of possible education as I couldn't decide so decided to work. In the mean time I shadowed Docs, Pharmacists, Optometrists, then Nursing.

It doesn't sound like you wasted your time at all! In fact, taking that time may well have saved you from wasting time pursuing something that you later would decide wasn't for you. I think this kind of wasting of time shouldn't be discouraged - in other words, I don't think it should be considered a "waste" of time at all!!!

SFDRN · Jun 13, 2007

I'm about to enter an accelerated nursing program in the fall, but I thought I would weigh in here because 3 of my parents/step-parents are/have been pharmacists. My mom, for instance, has a really interesting job as a hospital pharmacy manager at a renowned university medical center, where she works on quality improvement initiatives and medication safety. She makes great money (around six figures), but there's absolutely no patient contact (which she doesn't care about, so it's OK). Even the clinical pharmacists that they have at her hospital have very minimal patient contact. Instead, they answer questions from nurses all day long and then the nurses convey the information to the patient. The docs don't bother asking them their opinion except for once in a while. The pharmacists are constantly put in the position of having to "respectfully disagree" with the MDs about the wrong Rx's being prescribed, Rx interactions, etc, because they weren't consulted in the first place. And even then, if they strenuously disagree with a treatment protocol because it could endanger the patient, the MD can still override them. My mom's told me horror stories.

My stepfather works as a retail pharmacist (after 35 years working as a hospital pharmacist). He works 3 10-hour days a week and loves his schedule. He makes a lot less than my mom (around $75K), but it's worth it because he has 4 days off a week. His job is basically to check the techs' work, take phone calls (i.e., Rx call-ins) from the MD offices, and counsel patients in the store.

If you want REAL money in pharmacy, as my mom always says, you have to work retail for a huge chain like Walgreens or CVS. Those guys pay new grads around 6 figures. But as my mom also says, there's no real career advancement in pharmacy, especially retail. You start out making around $100K and your salary is basically set for life. There's very little difference between what new grads make and what people who've been working in pharmacy for 30+ years make.

And the third parent who was a pharmacist? My dad was so bored by pharmacy that he went back to medical school at age 41.

It really depends on what you want. If your goal is to make 6 figures and work 40 hours a week, then you'll be fine. But if you really want an interesting career with advancement and the opportunity to get multiple degrees and work in a lot of different settings and specialties, nursing is your choice. My parents NEVER ONCE encouraged me or my siblings to become pharmacists, which is interesting, don't you think?

P.S. They're all very happy that I'm going to nursing school :)

DermNP2Be · Jun 14, 2007

It doesn't sound like you wasted your time at all! In fact, taking that time may well have saved you from wasting time pursuing something that you later would decide wasn't for you. I think this kind of wasting of time shouldn't be discouraged - in other words, I don't think it should be considered a "waste" of time at all!!!

I guess maybe I felt that way because looking back now I think about where I would be right now if I had been able to make a decision in a more timely fashion- but it was so impossible! But looking at the spin you put on it, I can honestly say that you are completely right. I am so happy that I did take the time because now I am so completely confident in my final decision and I think that will make me work harder and become a better nurse. For that reason I really feel that the OP should definitely get up close and personal with each career possibility!

justme1972 · Jun 15, 2007

Starting salary for Pharmacists where I live is 90-100k, and the average salary for those with experience is anywhere from 110k-120k. Like I said earlier it would take me 6 years to get a PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy), and the 40 hour work weeks are very appealing. It would take me 3 years of undergrad, 4 years of med school, and a minimum 3 years of residency to be a doctor. That is 10 years, and they work a lot more than 40 hours a week.
I have asked about shadowing a pharmacist, and I am supposed to hear back from her on Wednesday. She said she has to make sure that it won't violate HIPPA laws.
I called an aunt of mine and told her my choices. I had no idea, but I have 3 cousins who are pharmacists. So she gave me their phone numbers in case I had any questions.
I love hearing responses from those who have made a decision similar to mine and what factored into the decision they made.
Thanks for all the replys.

In larger cities, it of course, would probably pay more and in areas like California, New York, South Florida, Dallas, etc. Cost of living off-sets that in a hurrry.

The work hours, you would have to look for, because more and more places are going to 24/7 and someone has to work that night shift, and I would bet it's a new graduate unless it paid so much more that someone would take it for that reason.

Just be careful about planning your career on salary hearsay or salary.com. Many of them prove to be huge exaggerations. When my state bumped the requirement up to a Doctorate level...the salary didn't follow because now all new grads had a doctorate. They paid the top salaries for 10 years plus experience.

I talked to one fellow the other day that said he was going to go to Nurse Anesthesia school because he would start out making $350,000 per year. I worked as a nanny for a CRNA for 3 years and has 29 years of experience plus the top job at his hospital and making substantially less. When I asked him he burst out laughing and said, "Tell your friend that if he finds that job to call me, and I'll be joining him."

grace90, LPN, LVN · Jun 15, 2007

I think being a pharmacist wouldn't necessarily be boring and just counting pills all day, you'd be dealing with doctor's offices calling you with prescriptions, having to call them to clarify meds, dealing with the general public- or nurses in the case that you work as a pharmacist in a hospital. You'd also be making sure the prescription that doc wrote is appropriate for the pt, or if it's the wrong dose, they're allergic, etc. I think it'd be really interesting. :idea:

I have thought about becoming a pharmacist, but my kids are all school-age right now and it would take years. I don't know if I'm up to the challenge or not. I'd have to get my bachelor's first, and then try to get accepted to a program and do 4-6 more years.

I love science and chemistry, but am not so good at memorization. But I love looking up new meds, and familiar ones for that matter, that I come across at work and learning about 'em. I find studying meds really interesting. I've been known to sit and read a drug book during dull moments at work or look up meds on the hospital intranet. Does that mean I'm crazy?:trout: :lol2: I wonder, if I got my BSN in nursing, if that would get me into a pharmacy program? Or would I need a different degree?

jjjoy, LPN · Jun 15, 2007

Generally speaking, the pre-reqs and content of nursing school doesn't cover the pre-reqs for pharmacy school. You could, however, make sure to take chemistry for chem majors as opposed to chemistry for nursing majors and the like. It's more than you need for nursing school, but it counts towards the pre-reqs. But then there's the usual 5 year policy wherein all pre-reqs need to have been completed in the last five years, so then you can't take too long before using those pre-reqs to apply to pharmacy school.

That's neat that you enjoy learning about meds so much! I hope you can take advantage of that unique interest in your work!

Pumpkin1621 · Jun 16, 2007

From the three pharmacy programs I have researched, you don't need a bachelors degree. You need to have completed the prerequisites. The same chemistry required for nursing at my school is the same chemistry required for pharmacy school, and they can all be taken at a community college.

Just for comparison here are the course requirements for my local pharmacy and nursing school:

Pharmacy School

English Composition 3 credits

Biochemistry 3 credits

Calculus3 credits

Statistics 3 credits

Biology (with lab)4 credits

Microbiology (with lab) 4 credits

General Chemistry (with lab)8 credits

Organic Chemistry (with lab) 8 credits

Physics 8 credits

Human Anatomy and Physiology 6 credits

Humanities and Social Sciences 18 credits

Speech communications or

public speaking 1 course

Microeconomics or macro/

microeconomics1 course

Minimum Total 68 credits

Nursing School

English Composition 6 credits

General Chemistry with Lab 4 credits

Human Anatomy & Physiology with Lab 8 credits

Microbiology with Lab 4 credits

Introduction to Psychology 3 credits

Introduction to Sociology 3 credits

Social Science Elective (sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, economics, geography, history, social work) 3 credits

Human Growth and Development 3 credits

Statistics 3 credits

Mathematics (college algebra or higher) 3 credits

Humanities* (literature, language, art, history, mathematics, philosophy, speech, music) 9 credits

Nutrition 3 credits

General Electives 7 credits

Minimum Total 59 credits

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jun 16, 2007

My cousin wanted to be a pharmacist. I am not sure if it was just the school she wanted to get in or all pharm schools but she said that while she was getting her BS to get into the school they changed the GPA requirment to be a 4.0 to be accepted and she had to repeat one of her chem courses so now she has a pharm type job with her BS

justme1972 · Jun 16, 2007

From the three pharmacy programs I have researched, you don't need a bachelors degree. You need to have completed the prerequisites. The same chemistry required for nursing at my school is the same chemistry required for pharmacy school, and they can all be taken at a community college.
Just for comparison here are the course requirements for my local pharmacy and nursing school:
Pharmacy School
English Composition 3 credits
Biochemistry 3 credits
Calculus3 credits
Statistics 3 credits
Biology (with lab)4 credits
Microbiology (with lab) 4 credits
General Chemistry (with lab)8 credits
Organic Chemistry (with lab) 8 credits
Physics 8 credits
Human Anatomy and Physiology 6 credits
Humanities and Social Sciences 18 credits
Speech communications or
public speaking 1 course
Microeconomics or macro/
microeconomics1 course
Minimum Total 68 credits
Nursing School
English Composition 6 credits
General Chemistry with Lab 4 credits
Human Anatomy & Physiology with Lab 8 credits
Microbiology with Lab 4 credits
Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
Introduction to Sociology 3 credits
Social Science Elective (sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, economics, geography, history, social work) 3 credits
Human Growth and Development 3 credits
Statistics 3 credits
Mathematics (college algebra or higher) 3 credits
Humanities* (literature, language, art, history, mathematics, philosophy, speech, music) 9 credits
Nutrition 3 credits
General Electives 7 credits
Minimum Total 59 credits

The requirements for the pharmacy school are actually the same as for medical school. They are WAY more, from your list, than what is required for nursing school. It's actually 74 hours from your list b/c there aren't hours listed for the Speech and Economics courses. You also, don't have to complete a degree to apply to medical school either. Your GPA and MCAT weighs the most, the same for Pharm school with the GPA and PCAT.

Physics..is 8 hours...that is two semesters of work.

Organic Chemistry...is 8 hours...two semesters of work.

Biochemistry...which is one semester

General Chemistry...and extra semester on top of what is already required for nursing school...8 hours and two semesters TOTAL.

Oh yeah...that is a ton more of work, to me there isn't much comparison.

The only difference between the two is that the "fluff" subjects are left off and that cuts down the hours, but no way someone could complete that in two years.

DermNP2Be · Jun 16, 2007

The requirements for the pharmacy school are actually the same as for medical school. They are WAY more, from your list, than what is required for nursing school. It's actually 74 hours from your list b/c there aren't hours listed for the Speech and Economics courses. You also, don't have to complete a degree to apply to medical school either. Your GPA and MCAT weighs the most, the same for Pharm school with the GPA and PCAT.
Physics..is 8 hours...that is two semesters of work.
Organic Chemistry...is 8 hours...two semesters of work.
Biochemistry...which is one semester
General Chemistry...and extra semester on top of what is already required for nursing school...8 hours and two semesters TOTAL.
Oh yeah...that is a ton more of work, to me there isn't much comparison.
The only difference between the two is that the "fluff" subjects are left off and that cuts down the hours, but no way someone could complete that in two years.

Well, depending on how bad the OP wants it, it actually can be completed in that time frame. Because I didn't know which route to go, I took the pre-med type of courses (ex. Organic Chem instead of Survey) which are accepted to the majority of NS's, and I finished all the above accept Biochemistry (it's not required in the Pharmacy schools I looked at) and the second semester of Orgo- and I did it in 1-1/2 years (Associates Degree). I also made sure to pick Gen Ed's (Social Science & Humanities) for the Associates that were conducive to all programs that I was looking at. So, if you're unsure which direction you want to go at the moment, make sure that the classes you take will fulfill requirements for either of your choices.