Are Pharmacist jobs going downhill? I was wondering if there were any current RPh.'s out there who might be able to comment on this. Being unemployed now for about 6 months I've actually been considering going back to school and getting a second Bachelor's in Pharmacy. My first one is in Biology (Human), but I ended up working in the tech field (go figure) Well, I've been hearing through the grape vine that those who are in the field now are actually starting to get out because of the huge work weeks they put in. Yeah, they make some great bank, but then they also put in horrendous hours, and I'm hearing that it's starting to get to where it really isn't worth it. In the end, it's just like working two regular jobs.

Anyways, I was just wondering if anyone out there has some first hand knowledge/experience they can draw on. I'd hate to go back to school, drop another 10K - 20K and not end up with more rewarding career (or one that doesn't lay off!) Any insight you can contribute is greatly appreciated...

 

Can only speak about friends who are pharmacists, but some love it, some hate it. The ones working for the big chains such as Wal-Mart and CVS don't like the hours. Apparently lots of holidays and weekends? The one who works in a successful and locally owned drugstore really loves his job.

Wish I could be more help. Maybe someone with firsthand expericence will chime in.

Good luck, though.

 

The job market is WIDE open for pharmacists, if I remember correctly I think they make about 100k. But I do know for sure that the market is desperate for pharmacists.

Ryan

 

In this area stores are closing down because there aren't enough Pharmacist to man the stores. In fact I've had to move my scrips 3 times in the last year because of it. If you can get into school I would go for it in a heartbeat. Pharmacist do seem to often be unhappy but in my opinion it's because the job doesn't challenge them at all. It's very rare for them to mix a scrip now days. They spend their time counting 5,10,15,20,25,30 all day long while standing on their feet. They're very smart people in a production line job and they are bored. No, I'm not a Pharmacist but I managed drugstores for 3 years and I knew many RPh's and I filled many scrips myself when they were busy or sick.

 

My good friend is a Pharmacist. He puts in 12 hour days and works one weekend a month. Lately he has been working fewer hours in the store as he is heading up a diabetis program. He says that if he has to go back to more hours in the store, he will quit. He works for Albertsons.