physical therapy or pharmacist?

Question

hi guys...i just need lots of input...this is my final choice b4 going to college next week.....pharmacy or physical therapy...which one do u guys think is best for me and WHY...if pharmacist can i even keep the job in 50 years time....so physical therapy or pharmacy..i would appreciate it if a get a detailed breakdown on this...pharm or physical therapy(last call)guys please this is a big decision in my life..your advice will definately change my life..i just need to know all u know....basically tell me whether there is a future, flexibility,advancemetments..m... everything u know...

Answer 1

There is a future in both professions. Pharmacist-Very good employment opportunities are expected for pharmacists.
Earnings are high, but some pharmacists work long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Pharmacists are becoming more involved in making decisions regarding drug therapy and in counseling patients.
A license is required; the prospective pharmacist must graduate from an accredited college of pharmacy and pass a State examination.
A physical therapist---Employment is expected to increase much faster than the average, as growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited functioning spurs demand for therapy services.
Job opportunities should be particularly good in acute hospital, rehabilitation, and orthopedic settings.
After graduating from an accredited physical therapist educational program, therapists must pass a licensure exam before they can practice.
Nearly 6 out of 10 physical therapists work in hospitals or in offices of physical therapists.

Answer 2

I advised for both programs at the undergraduate level, which sounds like where you are headed. My answer is BOTH. How? You can complete the requirements for ENTRY into Physical Therapy working on the Pharmacy bachelor's degree.

This will do several nice things for you:

1. You can put off deciding for a while so that you have more time to consider your options.

2. Much of the basic (pre-requisite) coursework is the same, so you will be doing that anyhow.

3. People in physical therapy are often on medications. It will help you as a physcial therapist to know some things about pharmacy.

4. From what I have seen at two universities, if you decide on Physical Therapy from working on Pharmacy, you will lose practically no time. If you decide to forego Pharmacy and do something else to prepare for Physical Therapy, chaning you mind might mean taking extra courses and time and money spent on fixing it...

So that's why I say Pharmacy as a preparation for both Pharmacy school and Physical Therapy.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Oh man, tough question. Nobody can answer what is best for you. I have worked in healthcare for 29 years now and I know that both would be excellent choices. Personally, I would opt for pharmacist as I believe there is more long term needs in that field versus the physical therapy field. I have nothing to back this up other than talking to staff where I work.
My experience is mostly with hospital staff but there are lots of places besides hospitals that employ pharmacists. Grocery stores, chain stores, Costco, etc employ pharmacists.
The big advantage to physical therapy is that you will be able to have your own practice if you so desired. You won't be able to do that with pharmacy unless you bought your own drug store and the competition with the big stores could eat you alive.
I wish you well with your choice.

Answer 4

i think at the moment, pharmacy is the best as far as pay an job placement (for now) etc... but its kind of gamble, pharmacy may or may not go down hill in the next 5-20 years or so between the popularity of mail order and PBMs cutting pharmacies to the bone. they say pharmacy is going to have a more clinical focus down the road so there will be plenty jobs, but i couldnt tell you if that is true or not or if it is just my profs giving me feel good bull ****. physical therapy will always have a place. its kind of a gamble. id just do whatever you think you would enjoy more. neither really have much room for advancement, but i would say pharmacy as more as you could get into management for retail drug stores. both are pretty flexible with hours i think, pharmacy you may be working nights and weekends, not sure how that works for physical therapists

Answer 5

Both of the profession that you want involves interacting with people. It also requires you to study a lot, especially physiology and biochemistry (for pharmacist). Now, let's break them down. A physical therapist job is to help people about their physical problems, mainly the body. A typical day includes teaching a person in a wheel chair to walk and helping people who had a major injury in their body. You need to have a lot of patience if you take this job because things wouldn't go your way every time. Now let's talk about being a pharmacist. A pharmicist is a person who gives people their prescription drug. A pharmicist's main job is to also watch the history of somebody else's drug intake to prevent any bad chemical reaction in the body. Out of the two, the most rewarding --- in terms of money--- is to be a pharmacist, but it also requires you to study and know biochemistry a lot.

Hope It help. If not, I'm sorry.

Answer 6

Pharmacist takes the longest and pays well because you now need a doctorate degree to get hired. Even though the computer will advise you of conflicting drugs, the stress is that if you don't know the meds very well, you could make a mistake and kill someone. PT requires hands on treatment of people, many of whom have contagious diseases including STD's and only makes you lots of money if you own the company. Optometry takes quite awhile and you need to rent or buy a building, hire a staff of support people for repairing frames, reception, billing, etc. This is a low stress job if you are outgoing and enjoy talking with others because this is a people oriented career to get and keep new clients.

Answer 7

I used to work in Physical Therapy. I vote you go for Pharmacist. Much better pay and stable employment. Pushing pills is much less stressful than manipulating muscles. (in my opinion)

Good luck mate,

Answer 8

i really dont know but i say physical therapy cuz thats what my uncle does and i think he makes good money but goot luck with what ever u pick