I'm a senior in high school right now..and having a difficult time choosing between nursing or pharmacy. I've heard that pharmacists get paid REALLY well, almost double the amount that nurses do. Nursing is more hands-on work and you get to work with patients and do many things..whereas pharmacists simply pass out medication all day..although, pharmacy still appeals to me greatly. I can see myself working in both areas. Can you all pleeease give me some advice as to which career path I should choose?? (The pros and cons of each). Another thing - I've heard that pharmacy is very hard to study. True?
Also, how many years does pharmacy school take? What's the best degree to attain?
2007-08-23 13:41:01 · 6 answers · asked by Q&A guru 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Hello,
I just graduated from HS, and will be attending college in the fall for nursing. I initially applied for pharmD. (Doctor of Pharmacy, 6-year program)...to make a long story short...everything went opposite and I did not get accepted for what I believe to be the wrong reason but the right reason at the same time. Some people at my school had lower grades, lower GPA, less volunteering and all that good stuff and got accepted when I didn't. So anyway, I went for what I wanted to do from awhile ago..which was nursing. I am glad that I will be doing nursing because pharmacy is extremely hard. I am close to my dentist and she told me that when she was in dental school she had some friends in Pharmacy school and she said that they were almost suicidal by their 5th year because it was so hard and draining. But that certainly doesn't mean that it is not do-able. Pharmacists make amazing money $110,000 in Massachusetts to start. But it is six years of school, and you earn your doctorate in pharmacy. I don't think that anyone can tell you what to do, but I would recommend that you consider more than just income...would you want to stand behind a counter and count pills, or work for a pharmaceutical company...or would you like to work with people and have a little more "fun" at work? Nurses can actually make up to the starting income of a pharmacist after working for awhile, and of coarse continuing their education. Nurse practioners are almost doctors and they make amazing money and have a great job! Good luck to you!!! Enjoy senior year, take it easy, because I didn't and I had the most difficult year of my life!
And by the way don't listen to people who tell you that you can become a registered nurse in two years. It is a four year or three year accelerated program that doesn't guarantee you becoming an RN until you pass your boards.
2007-08-23 13:55:19 · answer #1 · answered by Joy 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In nursing you can become an RN in just 2 years with an Associates degree or you can get a 4 year degree in nursing. A pharmacist gets a 4 year degree, but it takes 5 years because of their 1 year residency program. Alot of math is involved in pharmacy, so if your not liking math, stay away from pharmacy. There are many directions to go in nursing i.e. all of the specialty areas and that includes getting into putting the patients to sleep and making $120,000.00 a year to start with. That requires a couple more years of school after the 4 years and there is math involved with that as well.
2007-08-23 13:49:56 · answer #2 · answered by Dean e 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nursing can get very depressing if you work in a hospital. Sometimes your patients don't get better and you have to learn to deal with death.
You might look at becoming a pharmacy tech or Nurse's aid before committing to longer studies. Both will help you get a feel for a career in that area without spending a lot of time or money to find out you don't like it and if you do like it you can continue your studies.
You can become an RN in 2 years. It takes 4+ years to become a Pharmacist.
2007-08-23 13:46:42 · answer #3 · answered by knittinmama 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am an RN who manages a Pharmacy Dept in a hospital. It takes 4 yrs to become an RN, at least 5 to become a Pharmacist. Nursing is "touchy feely" work, so if you like direct patient contact, it is for you. Pharmacy has more limited patient contact. I disagree w/the previous statement regarding working hours. RNs can work anywhere they want. Pay is not bad at all, but Pharmacists do make more money. If you are looking at just money, you are not the type to be working in medicine w/patients. You have to do it for the patients, not for the money.
2007-08-23 13:52:27 · answer #4 · answered by RN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pharmacy for sure. more money! takes one more year study though i think. worth it though, you can travel easier. pick up work anywhere you want with pharmacy.
i want to do pharmacy, but probably won't get the marks cause i don't study.
my father is a registered nurse and yesterday he got a patient who pooed on him.
2007-08-23 13:44:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pharmacy: better working hours
Nursing: demanding hours, prick Doctors, rude patients or family members. But you can see the results of your labor.
2007-08-23 13:46:00 · answer #6 · answered by Eldude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋