TDB

There is no "COULD be a tight market" .. there IS an extremely tight market. It has been a huge problem in pharmacy for at least 10 yrs but they are not telling kids that when they go into school (unless you are already a tech or know someone in the field). It is a high discussion area in the pharmacy world. And if you want to get into hospital it is even worse (and once you do retail it is impossible to move to hospital ... Might as well play the lottery). I live the reality of it and it is a big topic because it is really hard on graduates after all the school and debt and then the jobs just aren't there to support the debt load. Even when you have experience, it is extremely hard to get a job. I was only one of 3 of my co-workers to get a job and while we were all looking.... In a large metropolitan area with lots of opportunity. The one of the others had a recommendation from another (higher) manager from the hospital system and still could not get in. All had extra credentials and highly experienced. If in were the poster, I would go back and become an RN then go from there. Regardless of it also being difficult to get in, you will always have a LOT more opportunities.

Pharmacy is not easy to get into at all. There is no job guarantee and many kids get out with 100k in loans and no job. For hospital, you need a residency (preferably two), experience and to know someone. It is virtually impossible for any new grad (right out of school with no residency) to get a job right now. It looks good but without experience they won't even look at you. And, most jobs are going to people already holding either PRN positions or PT positions already. Unless you want to go way out, then maybe you have a chance. I am a 20+ yr pharmacist who will do nights (hardest shift to fill), has all hospital experience. I have two BPS certifications and have had a hard time getting a new job. Am not looking to move to management, just what a regular staffing job. This is looking in two states. (No, I have no past history that would preclude getting a job). The job I did get had over 100 applications and they interviewed 4 of us. The few interviews I got, all told me the same thing 50-100+ applicants for 1 job. It is a hard field and in many areas there are too many pharmacists. They opened too many schools and there are not enough positions, especially for young pharmacists. Schools want the $$ and people are not being told the truth about the market and the reality of the real possibility of getting a job. If I were starting school now there is no way I would Pharmacy. It would be medical school or nursing. For the amount of school and financial investment you might as well be the MD. If I were young, nursing would be an option. You have way more opportunities all the way around! You can work anywhere and can also do things such as become NP or CRNA (and probably things I don't even know about!) Job options for nurses are way better; floor RN, ER , trauma, school RN, MD office, clinic, flight RN... And the list goes on and on! Salary may look better for pharmacist (remember the only degree we have is PharmD now so 7-8 yrs of college, which would be like coming out as NP or CRNA ... Or MD for that matter) but both listed advanced degrees make as much or more then Rph. ** Many of those listed salaries are not what a new grad would be offered. Of course this is my perspective of what it is to be a pharmacist. So there may be nothing wrong with the poster at all because it is really that hard to get a job, irregardless of the # of jobs on indeed.