I've been a pharmacy tech for a few years and I know quite a bit of the field. Even the Pharmacists ask me questions!! I'm ready to step it up--if there's any pharmacists here, where do you suggest I go to school? How long will it take me? How much will it cost? How much will I make?
2007-05-04 15:30:35 · 2 answers · asked by Mr & Mrs G 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Well, I believe KU (university of Kansas), and UMKC (University of Missouri Kansas City) both have good programs.
You can take your prepharmacy requirements at a community college, but you have to okay it with the university first, to make sure that they accept the courses taught there.
After that, you have to take the PCAT...pharmacy entrance exam. If you pass it, and get accepted to a pharmacy school (competition is HEAVY), you make at least $90,000 immediately out of college.
It is about 6-8 years of school, depending on which one you go to. (One of the 2 above have a slightly accelerated program...you can get through relatively fast, but it is fast and furious).
If you can get through the chemistry and physics and biochemistry courses, you will do fine.
Now for the great news....maybe your pharmacists have told you this. If you work for a retail pharmacy, many times, once you pass the prepharmacy part, they will pay your entire pharmacy school tuition...ALL of it, IF you agree to work for their stores for the 2 years after graduation.
You will still make the $90,000, but pharmacists are really really scarce, and they are willing to pay that money to have a pharmacist for 2 years.
You and your children (even AFTER they grow up and get married) will have access to the best health insurance policies in the country.
Last, since you are a tech, you know about dealing with customers....sick, grouchy, people, and their craaazy health insurance. You already know that part. The rest is inventory and customer service.
Good luck!
It is very very hard work, but if you are okay with getting very few hours of sleep for 6 years, you will survive.
2007-05-04 15:42:14 · answer #1 · answered by gg 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one cares about what school you went to. Go to a local school. If you are working for a chain pharmacy, see if they have a prepharmacy tuition reimbursement program.
It will take a minimum of 6 years to become a pharmacist. 2-4 years of prepharmacy and 4 years of pharmacy.
The cost varies. I am paying about $16,000 per year at a public, in-state school.
The average starting salary for retail pharmacists is about 100k.
2007-05-05 02:28:03 · answer #2 · answered by Lea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋