Dual Majors...?

Question

Is it possible for me to go to school and study to become a registered nurse while taking Pre-Pharmacy classes?? I know that the RN program takes about 2 years and the Pharm.D one takes 4 plus the pre-pharmacy. Haha, I'm lost from there. HELP!!

I wanted to work as a RN while I'm completing my Pharm.D. I know it sounds weird, but I would like to have the option of having something else to fall back on if the other fails.

Answer 1

I think you are underestimating the difficulty of both of these fields of study. People don't work while working on thier doctorate in pharmacy. Period. Why would you want to learn the vast amount of skills a nurse has to know, only to use them for a couple of years or so anyway?

It would be theoretically possible, to earn both, but would take you way longer than you are estimating. You need roughly 1-2 years of pre-nursing classes before getting into even a two year program, then you need to take pre-pharmacy classes which add a few more years, assuming you get in to a nurinsg program the first year you apply which almost never happens now. When you are done with pre-pharmacy and nursing you could be done or nearly done with your pharmD. As far as a backup plan, what makes you think that you would miracuously pass the pharmacy test if you failed the RN liscensing test? I'm sure the pharmacy test is just a difficult.

Answer 2

Most RN programs, even those called "2 year degrees" have prerequisites, and thus take about 3 or more years. A Bachelors degree in Nursing is at least 4 years and a Pharm D is a minimum of 5 and there is not a lot of overlap in the two degree fields.


I would consider doing something besides nursing, which does not have such an intensive clinical/class requirement and often an upto 50% attrition rate. Consider if you work for 3-4 years in Nursing and fail the NCLEX and then can't work as an RN for the time required to go to the Pharm D program

Answer 3

You really should choose which direction you want to go. It would be impossible to perform both careers. If you like patient care and hands on work you would do well as an RN. But if you prefer to stay behind the counter you would do better as a pharmacist.

Answer 4

The courses are very different. It is in theory possible, but it is very rarely done. Health science colleges don't look positively on applications from people who already have a degree in another health science field.