Pharmacy school?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am about to graduate from nursing school in December, however, I have became recently interested in becoming a pharmacist. I was wondering if any nurses have ever heard of an RN going back to school to become a pharmacist? Also, does having a BSN help or hinder the process? I like patient care I just feel that this is a different route for me to go.

Specializes in Critical Care.

Thanks for the advice; I feel that pharmacy school is the way for me. I will work for a year to get my basics done, hopefully in ICU, and then finish my prereqs. I was pre-Pham before BSN. Only a couple of classes, especially Organic, but as an older student just taking one or two classes I know I can kick butt. Good luck with the PhD. program, you have way more ambition than me :) Did the admissions committee look down or up on you being a nurse and did you have to explain why you wanted to switch careers?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good luck! I love the thought of having nurses in other positions, both in health care and in general positions.

The cardiologist I love the most at our hospital is a nurse--she still keeps her license and her credentials include RN on her name tag.

We have a pharmacist who was a BSN--she is the BEST with pt education, and she is so helpful when we call for questions, as she has an idea of what we are going through on the floor. After all, she worked on our busy, acute general medical floor for 4 years.

One of my kids had a teacher who was a nurse in a previous career; I know at least two of their regular substitutes are nurses who are only working part time or not at all.

One of my closest RN friends went to dental school at the age of 36; she graduated when she turned 40. She's the medical director of a low income dental clinic now. She didn't have to take any student loans--between scholarships, being able to work during school, and being in the military, she came out of school with no loans. Meaning she could take the job that she wanted--working at a low income clinic--without worrying about the fact that the position paid significantly less than other positions her classmates were taking.

On our floor since I've worked there we've had one nurse go to med school, one to pharmacy school, two to ARNP school, one to PA school (? I found that strange, but whatever works), and three are working on prereqs for either med school, dental school, or ARNP school.

Good luck in school! In a year, you might not want to go to pharmacy school; you might want to continue being a nurse, or go in another direction. But you are young enough to have so many opportunities, and being a nurse opens up even more, I think. Isn't it nice to have so many options?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Well I graduated!!! Man seems like it would never come (especially while writing stupid Nursing research paper :) ) Well I got the job in ICU and will be taking boards hopefully soon :/ I still think I want to pursue a Pharmacy degree though. Any more advice, especially from people that have done it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thats a super good goal and I would say in many cases Pharmacists & their techs are the men/women behind the magic.....nobody ever really understands what happens behind those doors....and the moment something isn't right the pharmacy has to take the heat. Nurses just fax away the orders and expect the IV to come to them on a silver platter. Just get ready for a much much longer & more intense ride than nursing school. I've worked in pharmacies for almost a decade and those pharmacists sure are a sharp & studious bunch. You will most definitely get a lot of respect, the work can be fascinating, you will be super good @ math, you will be a doctor, the pay is smokin', and who doesnt like drugs?!:) But just a warning-nursing is usually much more exciting, gripping, and involved.....and most pharmacies don't have windows so it can get a bit stuffy, seriously. Good luck, just keep the focus, buy a bunch of notecards, get some loans, and go get it! Best wishes mate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Since I'm in nursing school, I consider my job at the moment to keep my grades up so that I have career options. One of the reasons I decided upon nursing is because of the wide range of specialties that are available. I do like science, and imagine that if I feel the need to go in that direction, nurse anesthesia and even some kinds of research nursing offers that outlet. For a more diagnosis/medical model, there's the NP route. As for academia, a PhD in nursing to teach in a university would work.

As for pharmacy school, I do have a friend who is a pharmacist. She doesn't talk a lot about it, as I don't see her to necessarily have some passion for it, but it's just that she's a whiz at math/science, the job pays well, and isn't too much work for her. She puts in odd hours lately, and there's that movement with retail, so that's a bit of a strain. Apparently hospital positions are pretty difficult to land, and retail is what most of her classmates (plus her) ended up working.

If you want to do something, and have the grades, go for it! If you truly enjoy it, the process will be enjoyable, or at least satisfying.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Well graduated 4 months ago and just passed boards!! :yeah: Priorities have shifted so I feel that since I have my first job in ICU I'm going to work there a couple of years (around 4-5) then apply to CRNA school. Still have the pharmaceutical background, however I still will be utilizing my nursing education :D and its wayyy faster than going to pharmacy school :coollook:.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well graduated 4 months ago and just passed boards!! :yeah: Priorities have shifted so I feel that since I have my first job in ICU I'm going to work there a couple of years (around 4-5) then apply to CRNA school. Still have the pharmaceutical background, however I still will be utilizing my nursing education :D and its wayyy faster than going to pharmacy school :coollook:.

Good luck!! In this current economy, this is the better route. I heard a rumor that pharmacy field is close to saturation and too many schools are opening, which is devaluing the degree. However, I am already and finished a year in so I will make the best out of it. I tried to tell myself that I can always use NP or nursing as a fall back.

CRNA is much better moneywise but I may be miserable in ICU for another 1-2 years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi all

I am in the last year of Nursing program and it is my second degree. I had my first degree from a foreign school and that is in pharmacy. I want to go back to pharmacy school. I was considering about dropping my last semester from nursing and complete my pre-req for the pharmacy and then complete my last semester of nursing in spring 2011 instead of fall 2010.

This is because I am done with most of the pre-req and would be able to complete the pre-req in fall in order to apply a pharmacy school that I am considering. I dont knw whether it would be a good option to drop a sem in nursing school and work on the pre-req for pharmacy. This way I would be able to apply for the pharmacy school the next year.

My another concern is that school is really expensive. With that school I will have at least 150k debt so I am not sure if its k to take that much debt at this time for pharmacy school when every is saying that job market for pharmacy has gotten really tight. That being said, I want to do pharmacy really badly and I would prefer it over NP pragram, which I initially thought of doing it.

Can someone suggest me what would be the best option at this time?

Also I am wondering how much loan has someone taken for pharmacy program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment