Pharmacy panic! Should I withdraw my application and apply to a new course next year?
I was so sure that I wanted to do pharmacy, I did some hospital work experience and loved it, and the topic is genuinely interesting to me. However, I'm reading thread after thread and article after article saying to not do pharmacy and that the career prospects are only going to get worse.
I've applied to Manchester (where I really wanted to go), Nottingham, Newcastle, Birmingham and De Monfort. I have been accepted to all except Nottingham whom I haven't heard back from yet. I need ABB for Manchester and I'm predicted A*A*A in maths chemistry and biology.
Am I making the right decision? I want a job with a decent pay and a life where I don't need to be worrying about money all the time. Should I stick with pharmacy or withdraw my application, get some work experience and apply for a different degree next year?
Thanks, I'm just panicking so much reading about all this future of pharmacy stuff. All I know for certain is that I really want to do something in healthcare.
I've applied to Manchester (where I really wanted to go), Nottingham, Newcastle, Birmingham and De Monfort. I have been accepted to all except Nottingham whom I haven't heard back from yet. I need ABB for Manchester and I'm predicted A*A*A in maths chemistry and biology.
Am I making the right decision? I want a job with a decent pay and a life where I don't need to be worrying about money all the time. Should I stick with pharmacy or withdraw my application, get some work experience and apply for a different degree next year?
Thanks, I'm just panicking so much reading about all this future of pharmacy stuff. All I know for certain is that I really want to do something in healthcare.
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Hi,
Stop Stressing! Don't let people play with your feelings.
I'm a first year Pharmacy student and I love everything about it, the uni, the course, the stuff we're learning.
Pharmacists don't just sit behind a counter and dispense medication. You can go into industry (where the real money is), you can do community, hospital, chain etc. You can also work in research in unis or private labs or go into teaching and Independent Prescribing (which is really cool).There are so many opportunities.
With regards to hospital and community Pharmacy the UK government are doing some cuts. However, they are introducing more schemes for Pharmacists which can offer more money.
Do something you love, money is important but its not everything.
Stop Stressing! Don't let people play with your feelings.
I'm a first year Pharmacy student and I love everything about it, the uni, the course, the stuff we're learning.
Pharmacists don't just sit behind a counter and dispense medication. You can go into industry (where the real money is), you can do community, hospital, chain etc. You can also work in research in unis or private labs or go into teaching and Independent Prescribing (which is really cool).There are so many opportunities.
With regards to hospital and community Pharmacy the UK government are doing some cuts. However, they are introducing more schemes for Pharmacists which can offer more money.
Do something you love, money is important but its not everything.
Original post by unicorn.hoda
Hi,
Stop Stressing! Don't let people play with your feelings.
I'm a first year Pharmacy student and I love everything about it, the uni, the course, the stuff we're learning.
Pharmacists don't just sit behind a counter and dispense medication. You can go into industry (where the real money is), you can do community, hospital, chain etc. You can also work in research in unis or private labs or go into teaching and Independent Prescribing (which is really cool).There are so many opportunities.
With regards to hospital and community Pharmacy the UK government are doing some cuts. However, they are introducing more schemes for Pharmacists which can offer more money.
Do something you love, money is important but its not everything.
Stop Stressing! Don't let people play with your feelings.
I'm a first year Pharmacy student and I love everything about it, the uni, the course, the stuff we're learning.
Pharmacists don't just sit behind a counter and dispense medication. You can go into industry (where the real money is), you can do community, hospital, chain etc. You can also work in research in unis or private labs or go into teaching and Independent Prescribing (which is really cool).There are so many opportunities.
With regards to hospital and community Pharmacy the UK government are doing some cuts. However, they are introducing more schemes for Pharmacists which can offer more money.
Do something you love, money is important but its not everything.
Yeah you're right thank you so much!! I just freaked out seeing those posts- people can be so negative :')
Original post by jaz2906
I'm the same (but year 12) , my work experience in a pharmacy was so great and I find the subject interesting, but those posts are really off putting!! Seeing as you've got the offers I would say go for it though, as long as you enjoy what you're doing you'll succeed I'm sure 
Thank you so much!! I was gutted when I first read all those posts because I want to do Pharmacy so much, I'll just ignore them now though
Original post by Izzy32245
Thank you so much!! I was gutted when I first read all those posts because I want to do Pharmacy so much, I'll just ignore them now though
You'll look back in 10 years and see how right everyone of us 'negative' people were. No worries.
'You can only take a horse to the water you cant make it drink'
Yes, Pharmacy is no longer the profession it was. The bodies that represent pharmacy are useless and have no power. The cuts are ongoing and the work load is forever increasing with salaries going lower as a result. If I was you I would look at another course. Give it 10 years and you will have automated dispensing machines or ACT's doing the job of a pharmacist. Regarding industry and hospital they are extremely competitive to get into. If you go into community pharmacy the chances of you ever getting into hospital or community are very slim. Don't waste your time doing pharmacy the hay days have gone. All the best and Regards, Owner & Veteran Pharmacist.
(edited 6 years ago)
I'm a first year Pharmacy student, and I'm currently in the process of sending emails and making calls to universities in hopes that I can transfer to Optometry in September. I'm just not able to take the risk of not having a decent salary or getting a pre-reg place because of the amount of Pharmacy graduates competing against one another for pre-reg places. There's at least 31 Pharmacy schools within the UK at this point, which sounds like a lot when compared to 11 Optometry schools.
It's sad because I wanted to study Pharmacy for years but, like many have already said on this thread and several others, it just isn't as solid of a career as it once was. Hopefully I'm making the right decision and won't regret it....
It's sad because I wanted to study Pharmacy for years but, like many have already said on this thread and several others, it just isn't as solid of a career as it once was. Hopefully I'm making the right decision and won't regret it....
Original post by aaron.taylor
I'm a first year Pharmacy student, and I'm currently in the process of sending emails and making calls to universities in hopes that I can transfer to Optometry in September. I'm just not able to take the risk of not having a decent salary or getting a pre-reg place because of the amount of Pharmacy graduates competing against one another for pre-reg places. There's at least 31 Pharmacy schools within the UK at this point, which sounds like a lot when compared to 11 Optometry schools.
It's sad because I wanted to study Pharmacy for years but, like many have already said on this thread and several others, it just isn't as solid of a career as it once was. Hopefully I'm making the right decision and won't regret it....
It's sad because I wanted to study Pharmacy for years but, like many have already said on this thread and several others, it just isn't as solid of a career as it once was. Hopefully I'm making the right decision and won't regret it....
Aw that's such a shame. I hope everything works out for you, I'm sure that it will. What would you recommend I do?? Even if I do a pharmacy degree (because I think I will enjoy it) there are still other careers out there for me right??
Original post by bindsbains
Yes, Pharmacy is no longer the profession it was. The bodies that represent pharmacy are useless and have no power. The cuts are ongoing and the work load is forever increasing with salaries going lower as a result. If I was you I would look at another course. Give it 10 years and you will have automated dispensing machines or ACT's doing the job of a pharmacist. Regarding industry and hospital they are extremely competitive to get into. If you go into community pharmacy the chances of you ever getting into hospital or community are very slim. Don't waste your time doing pharmacy the hay days have gone. All the best and Regards, Owner & Veteran Pharmacist.
Thanks for the reply. I really want to go into hospital pharmacy. I know it's competitive, but there would be a chance of getting there right?? And if I specialise, would that open any doors for me?
Also lets say I did choose to do another course, what course options are better? I want something in healthcare, but I don't think medicine would be for me.
Original post by Izzy32245
Aw that's such a shame. I hope everything works out for you, I'm sure that it will. What would you recommend I do?? Even if I do a pharmacy degree (because I think I will enjoy it) there are still other careers out there for me right??
Thank you! I hope so too. The course content is great on the MPharm, and the placements have been pretty enjoyable, but it's the uncertainty of securing a decent job that's making me reconsider my career choice. I just don't want to waste four years of my time studying towards a career that seems to have more negatives associated with it than positives.
Your predicted grades are fantastic - I got AAB, but my Pharmacy school was in Clearing even though it's apparently ranked in the Top 5 for Pharmacy, and ended up letting people in with much lower grades. I think the lowest gaining entry had either BBC or BCC at A Level. I guess you could go into other careers with a Pharmacy degree, like industry or teaching, but that's entirely up to you!
If you really want to work with patients in a hospital setting, I'd probably suggest looking into Medicine or becoming a Physician Associate.(edited 6 years ago)
If you have those grades, why on earth wouldn't you want to do medicine?
Medicine is far more interesting and fulfilling, with so many more career opportunities.
Medicine is far more interesting and fulfilling, with so many more career opportunities.
Original post by aaron.taylor
Thank you! I hope so too. The course content is great on the MPharm, and the placements have been pretty enjoyable, but it's the uncertainty of securing a decent job that's making me reconsider my career choice. I just don't want to waste four years of my time studying towards a career that seems to have more negatives associated with it than positives.
Your predicted grades are fantastic - I got AAB, but my Pharmacy school was in Clearing even though it's apparently ranked in the Top 5 for Pharmacy, and ended up letting people in with much lower grades. I think the lowest gaining entry had either BBC or BCC at A Level. I guess you could go into other careers with a Pharmacy degree, like industry or teaching, but that's entirely up to you! If you really want to work with patients in a hospital setting, I'd probably suggest looking into Medicine or becoming a Physician Associate.
Your predicted grades are fantastic - I got AAB, but my Pharmacy school was in Clearing even though it's apparently ranked in the Top 5 for Pharmacy, and ended up letting people in with much lower grades. I think the lowest gaining entry had either BBC or BCC at A Level. I guess you could go into other careers with a Pharmacy degree, like industry or teaching, but that's entirely up to you!
If you really want to work with patients in a hospital setting, I'd probably suggest looking into Medicine or becoming a Physician Associate.Thank you
Yeah it's definitely the career prospects and the idea of wasting time that's scaring me. I think if it was a 3 year course I'd be less worried, because it's less time I might waste. Which pharmacy school did you go to? I've heard that quite a lot of the good pharmacy schools go through clearing still, but I guess it depends on the year. What's a physician associate?Original post by Izzy32245
Thank you Yeah it's definitely the career prospects and the idea of wasting time that's scaring me. I think if it was a 3 year course I'd be less worried, because it's less time I might waste. Which pharmacy school did you go to? I've heard that quite a lot of the good pharmacy schools go through clearing still, but I guess it depends on the year. What's a physician associate?
Yeah it's definitely the career prospects and the idea of wasting time that's scaring me. I think if it was a 3 year course I'd be less worried, because it's less time I might waste. Which pharmacy school did you go to? I've heard that quite a lot of the good pharmacy schools go through clearing still, but I guess it depends on the year. What's a physician associate?I'm currently at the University of Bath.
Also this link is pretty helpful if you want to learn more about Physician Associates: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/physician-associate
I think it would really suit you since you want to work with patients in a hospital environment, but maybe don't want to become a doctor at the same time.
Original post by LeapingLucy
If you have those grades, why on earth wouldn't you want to do medicine?
Medicine is far more interesting and fulfilling, with so many more career opportunities.
Medicine is far more interesting and fulfilling, with so many more career opportunities.
I did want to for a while, but I'm not entirely confident in my capabilities. My Dad did dentistry as a degree years ago, and he got very ill (glandular fever) in his fifth year due to stress and couldn't complete his final exams, I guess I'm scared of a similar thing happening to me if I did medicine.
Original post by Izzy32245
I did want to for a while, but I'm not entirely confident in my capabilities. My Dad did dentistry as a degree years ago, and he got very ill (glandular fever) in his fifth year due to stress and couldn't complete his final exams, I guess I'm scared of a similar thing happening to me if I did medicine.
My cousin got glandular fever doing geography - there's no correlation between particular courses and illness rates!
You need to think about your life after your degree - a career in pharmacy would be so boring compared to medicine, where every day is different, you have to use your critical thinking skills to solve problems and interact with people.
(edited 6 years ago)
Good afternoon Izzy,
May I start by congratulating you on your grades. it looks like you'll be able to do whatever you like this year or next.
Firstly, I've learned to ignore others that disregard fields of work/study. I studied medicine, and thoroughly hated it for a while. I'm now in practice, and adore my career, and indeed the journey here. I was told to become a nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, list is endless. Everyone has different opinions, none matter.
- Do bear in mind that if you really don't like it, you can complete a conversion masters/top-up degree in something else. In Scotland, these are 1-3 years, and can be completed in lots of things, including Nursing, Psychology, and various other fields. England are similar, apologies, I don't have the details. Google will help.
- Also do bear in mind if you get to year 2 or 3 and hate it, various English universities will take you into their courses. Pharma is a solid base for Allied Health Professional Degrees (radiotherapy, physiotherapy, podiatry etc, you know what I mean) and is an accepted entry to year 1 medicine in various universities alongside your school qualifications, or as a graduate entry degree to medicine or AHP/NMC.
Moral of the story - whatever you really want to do, do it. If you really want to make it work, you will.
Degree in 19th Century French Period Furniture Restoration? David Beckham studies? Perhaps not. But pharma is a solid degree that can lead onto many masters/PhD programmes, or as entry to BSc/BA/MBChB degrees, and various different careers and pathways. If it's what you want, do it.
"Those who say it cannot be done,
Should not interrupt those doing it."
- Chinese Proverb
May I start by congratulating you on your grades. it looks like you'll be able to do whatever you like this year or next.
Firstly, I've learned to ignore others that disregard fields of work/study. I studied medicine, and thoroughly hated it for a while. I'm now in practice, and adore my career, and indeed the journey here. I was told to become a nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, list is endless. Everyone has different opinions, none matter.
- Do bear in mind that if you really don't like it, you can complete a conversion masters/top-up degree in something else. In Scotland, these are 1-3 years, and can be completed in lots of things, including Nursing, Psychology, and various other fields. England are similar, apologies, I don't have the details. Google will help.
- Also do bear in mind if you get to year 2 or 3 and hate it, various English universities will take you into their courses. Pharma is a solid base for Allied Health Professional Degrees (radiotherapy, physiotherapy, podiatry etc, you know what I mean) and is an accepted entry to year 1 medicine in various universities alongside your school qualifications, or as a graduate entry degree to medicine or AHP/NMC.
Moral of the story - whatever you really want to do, do it. If you really want to make it work, you will.
Degree in 19th Century French Period Furniture Restoration? David Beckham studies? Perhaps not. But pharma is a solid degree that can lead onto many masters/PhD programmes, or as entry to BSc/BA/MBChB degrees, and various different careers and pathways. If it's what you want, do it.
"Those who say it cannot be done,
Should not interrupt those doing it."
- Chinese Proverb
Original post by LeapingLucy
My cousin got glandular fever doing geography - there's no correlation between particular courses and illness rates!
You need to think about your life after your degree - a career in pharmacy would be so boring compared to medicine, where every day is different, you have to use your critical thinking skills to solve problems and interact with people.
You need to think about your life after your degree - a career in pharmacy would be so boring compared to medicine, where every day is different, you have to use your critical thinking skills to solve problems and interact with people.
Yeah you're right, I'm just kinda paranoid I think aha. Do you do medicine??
Original post by Izzy32245
Yeah you're right, I'm just kinda paranoid I think aha. Do you do medicine??
Nope, but one of my parents is a doctor and lots of my friends study medicine.
Original post by LeapingLucy
Nope, but one of my parents is a doctor and lots of my friends study medicine.
Oh cool, and they recommend it?
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