Got good AS grades? Thinking about applying to pharmacy? Think again!!
Hi
I've made a similar post few months ago.
This is aimed at those students who just received high grades at AS levels e.g. BBB - A*A*A*
You guys are far too good for this profession.
Fyi I got ABB for a levels.
A bit of context. At one of the top universities for pharmacy in the country I met a year 1 student at Cardiff University who works as a Saturday girl in a lloyds pharmacy.
She had A*AA at a levels. She was telling me about her disappointment as a girl was in her year (and passing exams) got in through clearing with C and D grades. Don't know about you but I would be pisssed if that was me.
If you have top grades you are simple too good for this profession. Even the top universities or the so called top one, claiming to be top, are dumbing down the profession with lowering entry requirements.
Leave this garbage profession( yes it is garbage, see. Previous post and see my thread MPharm- is it worth it, from a community Locum Pharmacist) leave it for the garbage C D students.
Please make effort and apply to dentistry medicine etc. If you don't fancy it, or would like a back up option put optometry as a back up.
Universities shouldn't be doing this. But they are even the so called crem de la crem (as they described themselves of graduation lol).
I will post a link to direct you to my previous thread which I am sure will highlight problems the profession and new pharmacist are facing.
People about to start MPharm course, it's not too late to withdraw, but when you pay the university fees and rent you are too far in.
I've made a similar post few months ago.
This is aimed at those students who just received high grades at AS levels e.g. BBB - A*A*A*
You guys are far too good for this profession.
Fyi I got ABB for a levels.
A bit of context. At one of the top universities for pharmacy in the country I met a year 1 student at Cardiff University who works as a Saturday girl in a lloyds pharmacy.
She had A*AA at a levels. She was telling me about her disappointment as a girl was in her year (and passing exams) got in through clearing with C and D grades. Don't know about you but I would be pisssed if that was me.
If you have top grades you are simple too good for this profession. Even the top universities or the so called top one, claiming to be top, are dumbing down the profession with lowering entry requirements.
Leave this garbage profession( yes it is garbage, see. Previous post and see my thread MPharm- is it worth it, from a community Locum Pharmacist) leave it for the garbage C D students.
Please make effort and apply to dentistry medicine etc. If you don't fancy it, or would like a back up option put optometry as a back up.
Universities shouldn't be doing this. But they are even the so called crem de la crem (as they described themselves of graduation lol).
I will post a link to direct you to my previous thread which I am sure will highlight problems the profession and new pharmacist are facing.
People about to start MPharm course, it's not too late to withdraw, but when you pay the university fees and rent you are too far in.
Scroll to see replies
Not even remotely interested in studying anything like Pharmacy but just out of interest, is this first hand experience? You seem quite passionate about it.
Original post by adiooyo
Hi
I've made a similar post few months ago.
This is aimed at those students who just received high grades at AS levels e.g. BBB - A*A*A*
You guys are far too good for this profession.
Fyi I got ABB for a levels.
A bit of context. At one of the top universities for pharmacy in the country I met a year 1 student at Cardiff University who works as a Saturday girl in a lloyds pharmacy.
She had A*AA at a levels. She was telling me about her disappointment as a girl was in her year (and passing exams) got in through clearing with C and D grades. Don't know about you but I would be pisssed if that was me.
If you have top grades you are simple too good for this profession. Even the top universities or the so called top one, claiming to be top, are dumbing down the profession with lowering entry requirements.
Leave this garbage profession( yes it is garbage, see. Previous post and see my thread MPharm- is it worth it, from a community Locum Pharmacist) leave it for the garbage C D students.
Please make effort and apply to dentistry medicine etc. If you don't fancy it, or would like a back up option put optometry as a back up.
Universities shouldn't be doing this. But they are even the so called crem de la crem (as they described themselves of graduation lol).
I will post a link to direct you to my previous thread which I am sure will highlight problems the profession and new pharmacist are facing.
People about to start MPharm course, it's not too late to withdraw, but when you pay the university fees and rent you are too far in.
I've made a similar post few months ago.
This is aimed at those students who just received high grades at AS levels e.g. BBB - A*A*A*
You guys are far too good for this profession.
Fyi I got ABB for a levels.
A bit of context. At one of the top universities for pharmacy in the country I met a year 1 student at Cardiff University who works as a Saturday girl in a lloyds pharmacy.
She had A*AA at a levels. She was telling me about her disappointment as a girl was in her year (and passing exams) got in through clearing with C and D grades. Don't know about you but I would be pisssed if that was me.
If you have top grades you are simple too good for this profession. Even the top universities or the so called top one, claiming to be top, are dumbing down the profession with lowering entry requirements.
Leave this garbage profession( yes it is garbage, see. Previous post and see my thread MPharm- is it worth it, from a community Locum Pharmacist) leave it for the garbage C D students.
Please make effort and apply to dentistry medicine etc. If you don't fancy it, or would like a back up option put optometry as a back up.
Universities shouldn't be doing this. But they are even the so called crem de la crem (as they described themselves of graduation lol).
I will post a link to direct you to my previous thread which I am sure will highlight problems the profession and new pharmacist are facing.
People about to start MPharm course, it's not too late to withdraw, but when you pay the university fees and rent you are too far in.
What about nursing, physiotherapy?
Original post by skylarwalker
Not even remotely interested in studying anything like Pharmacy but just out of interest, is this first hand experience? You seem quite passionate about it.
Hi ,
I am one of many disillusioned, younger Pharmacist who works in community pharmacy daily. And dislike the way the profession is going and would hate to see talented and bright individuals make the same mistake as i did. I have deep regret and had deeper depression during the course and desperately looking for a viable way out of the profession. It. Is. Destroying me!
Re nursing last time I checked there is a huge shortage of nurses and the job is varied in the sense that you can specialise in different departments and even try and qualify as a prescriber. Not sure about physiotherapist. In all honesty you'd be better of speaking to a physio or nurse for a better response.
Your are a wise young person not considering pharmacy!
wow.. I was considering Pharmacy after work experience even the pharmacist there (who's worked as a pharmacist for over 30 years) was telling me not to do it. I just dont know what course to do if it isnt pharmacy. Everyone on TSR really hates pharmacy.
Original post by wxgmak
wow.. I was considering Pharmacy after work experience even the pharmacist there (who's worked as a pharmacist for over 30 years) was telling me not to do it. I just dont know what course to do if it isnt pharmacy. Everyone on TSR really hates pharmacy.
Sometimes if experienced and younger pharmacists and everyone including their dog advise against pharmacy there must be some truth behind it. Pharmacy is changing so rapidly in a small amount of time none of it is positive, please see my previous post for further info/ detailed info.
I advise optometry. My sister is an optician and have family in it.
The pros vs pharmacy.
3 year course- 1 year less debt pharmacy is 4 years.
Interesting degree , so is Pharmacy tbf
Pay is better Locum rate 250-300 vs pharmacy 19ph and reducing.
Less graduates therefore more jobs.
Multiple optometrists per opticiAn. Therefore jobs increase with patient demand, in pharmacy you will have one pharmacist doing the job 2 or 3 should be doing as the pharmacy number of items increase.IF you are lucky you'll get an ACTelping with checking a technician.
Optoms Work independently by appointment as opposed to patients demanding to see you instantly.
Optoms are respected by gps more as they have a lot more knowledge on the eye more than any gp will have. Pharmacists are seen more as job worths, referring patients for reasons GPs see as pointless.
I could go on.
students see pharmacy as great. It is not and it is only deteriorating
(edited 4 years ago)
Original post by adiooyo
Sometimes if experienced and younger pharmacists and everyone including their dog advise against pharmacy there must be some truth behind it. Pharmacy is changing so rapidly in a small amount of time none of it is positive, please see my previous post for further info/ detailed info.
I advise optometry. My sister is an optician and have family in it.
The pros vs pharmacy.
3 year course- 1 year less debt pharmacy is 4 years.
Interesting degree , so is Pharmacy tbf
Pay is better Locum rate 250-300 vs pharmacy 19ph and reducing.
Less graduates therefore more jobs.
Multiple optometrists per opticiAn. Therefore jobs increase with patient demand, in pharmacy you will have one pharmacist doing the job 2 or 3 should be doing as the pharmacy number of items increase.IF you are lucky you'll get an ACTelping with checking a technician.
Optoms Work independently by appointment as opposed to patients demanding to see you instantly.
Optoms are respected by gps more as they have a lot more knowledge on the eye more than any gp will have. Pharmacists are seen more as job worths, referring patients for reasons GPs see as pointless.
I could go on.
students see pharmacy as great. It is not and it is only deteriorating
I advise optometry. My sister is an optician and have family in it.
The pros vs pharmacy.
3 year course- 1 year less debt pharmacy is 4 years.
Interesting degree , so is Pharmacy tbf
Pay is better Locum rate 250-300 vs pharmacy 19ph and reducing.
Less graduates therefore more jobs.
Multiple optometrists per opticiAn. Therefore jobs increase with patient demand, in pharmacy you will have one pharmacist doing the job 2 or 3 should be doing as the pharmacy number of items increase.IF you are lucky you'll get an ACTelping with checking a technician.
Optoms Work independently by appointment as opposed to patients demanding to see you instantly.
Optoms are respected by gps more as they have a lot more knowledge on the eye more than any gp will have. Pharmacists are seen more as job worths, referring patients for reasons GPs see as pointless.
I could go on.
students see pharmacy as great. It is not and it is only deteriorating
Thank you for the recommendation. I’ll look at your other thread right now. Most people tell me that the workload in pharmacy is extreme as well as the course is similar to medicine but the problem is the pay. That pharmacist went on multiple rants about pharmacy but to be fair it was late in the evening and I was half asleep.
Original post by wxgmak
Thank you for the recommendation. I’ll look at your other thread right now. Most people tell me that the workload in pharmacy is extreme as well as the course is similar to medicine but the problem is the pay. That pharmacist went on multiple rants about pharmacy but to be fair it was late in the evening and I was half asleep.
Yeah I mean it's all on the other thread, don't want to repeat myself and sound like a broken record. Students can make their own decisions. Just don't say you weren't warned
Original post by marinade
Single member of staff working. One pharmacist. One member of staff. Busy friday. EPS download goes whoosh. Minimum wage. What's not to like?
1 tech 1 pharmacist and a que of 15 people. Wait times of 1 hour and patients getting angry aggressive. Sign me up please
Original post by adiooyo
1 tech 1 pharmacist and a que of 15 people. Wait times of 1 hour and patients getting angry aggressive. Sign me up please
Luxury. None of the stores I ever worked in had a tech. Techs get paid a whole 50p-£1 an hour more. Excessive. A counter assistant will suffice.
Been in Pharmacy since 1991! In Clearing in 1989 there was Leicester Poly (now DMU!) and that was it. There were 7 or 8 applicants for every place we were told. I started in the early mid 90s on 25k a year. I was on 27-28k in 1997 I remember.
Strange that that is still the starting wage now thanks to stagnation and cutting of pay.
The degree is interesting, just don't be one of the near 70% who go into Community.
You have been warned! You must do work experience at a big chain as they are where you are likely to end up, especially at the start of your so-called career.
If you like the idea of working with the public, go and do an Open University degree in Business. so you can live at home, or go your local Uni. Get a 2:1 and apply to Aldi or Lidl management training. Have you looked at what their managers earn? AND you get a car too! OK they work you hard, yes, but at least there is no GPhC waiting in the wings to crush you when something goes wrong, usually because you were so busy because of having no staff.
I will give an example. A few months ago I went back to the small town for a day trip to look at the Boots where over 25 yrs ago I did my pre-reg. We had about 15-18 staff. Not all at once, obviously as that includes the porter, cleaners, Saturday girl, but usually about 6 on the shop floor and 6 on the chemist counter and dispensary. i.e. about 12 most days during the peak 10-2.30pm. period.
I counted 4
FOUR!
Two on cash and wrap at the front, with one lady jumping on and off trying to fill shelves. And on chemist counter 1 young lad, maybe a pre-reg and one young asian girl in a business suit, so probably the pharmacist. So there were 2 people doing more prescriptions than 6 of us did in my day over 25 yrs ago! plus serving at the same time. And that didn't include the Store manager in my day, who was in his office but could be called upon if a mad rush like some Friday mornings or market days.
I was talking to a soon to be final year pharmacy student last week and she told me she had seen Aston had at one point in Clearing this year gone as low as CCC and she said she heard of one girl getting into her Uni with CCD because the D was in the non-science subject.
She also said all her friends who had worked for Boots or Lloyds in their summer placement programs had not liked it. She said one had sat down one day and cried it was so busy she couldn't cope and was left traumatised by the experience of the general public shouting at her and their general rudeness, which all us veterans are so used to now! It's like water off a duck's back.
My retort is something like, "the reason it's taking so long Madam is because this is a pharmacy issuing potent medications, it is NOT McDonalds! "
And " Yes sir, I know it's only a couple of boxes, but if I pick up Digoxin and not your diazepam then I could stop your heart and put you in hospital or a pine box!"
It's actually quite fun now to me, it's a bit like when comedians get heckled. you need to be ready with the put-downs and make them look like the fool.
I agree with everything Adio, Sachin, Marinade are saying as they seem to be the main contributors.
(Ignore the fool who rambles on about mansions and 60k. He or she qualified abroad. did OSPAP at Sunderland and works in a part of the UK that most people south of Stoke would never consider visiting. "It's grim up north" was the old saying. Hence her better salary and big house. Although I take all the figures with a pinch of salt for someone who has been on the UK register a year. They must be working in the equivalent of the "riot areas of the 80s, Handsworth Bham, Toxteth L'pool" to be given such high danger money. They probably spend all day pouring methadone and giving out citalopram everyone is so depressed! But I merely jest!! )
So...... the moral of this story is Don't rush into Pharmacy. Do work experience first.
Strange that that is still the starting wage now thanks to stagnation and cutting of pay.
The degree is interesting, just don't be one of the near 70% who go into Community.
You have been warned! You must do work experience at a big chain as they are where you are likely to end up, especially at the start of your so-called career.
If you like the idea of working with the public, go and do an Open University degree in Business. so you can live at home, or go your local Uni. Get a 2:1 and apply to Aldi or Lidl management training. Have you looked at what their managers earn? AND you get a car too! OK they work you hard, yes, but at least there is no GPhC waiting in the wings to crush you when something goes wrong, usually because you were so busy because of having no staff.
I will give an example. A few months ago I went back to the small town for a day trip to look at the Boots where over 25 yrs ago I did my pre-reg. We had about 15-18 staff. Not all at once, obviously as that includes the porter, cleaners, Saturday girl, but usually about 6 on the shop floor and 6 on the chemist counter and dispensary. i.e. about 12 most days during the peak 10-2.30pm. period.
I counted 4
FOUR!
Two on cash and wrap at the front, with one lady jumping on and off trying to fill shelves. And on chemist counter 1 young lad, maybe a pre-reg and one young asian girl in a business suit, so probably the pharmacist. So there were 2 people doing more prescriptions than 6 of us did in my day over 25 yrs ago! plus serving at the same time. And that didn't include the Store manager in my day, who was in his office but could be called upon if a mad rush like some Friday mornings or market days.
I was talking to a soon to be final year pharmacy student last week and she told me she had seen Aston had at one point in Clearing this year gone as low as CCC and she said she heard of one girl getting into her Uni with CCD because the D was in the non-science subject.
She also said all her friends who had worked for Boots or Lloyds in their summer placement programs had not liked it. She said one had sat down one day and cried it was so busy she couldn't cope and was left traumatised by the experience of the general public shouting at her and their general rudeness, which all us veterans are so used to now! It's like water off a duck's back.
My retort is something like, "the reason it's taking so long Madam is because this is a pharmacy issuing potent medications, it is NOT McDonalds! "
And " Yes sir, I know it's only a couple of boxes, but if I pick up Digoxin and not your diazepam then I could stop your heart and put you in hospital or a pine box!"
It's actually quite fun now to me, it's a bit like when comedians get heckled. you need to be ready with the put-downs and make them look like the fool.
I agree with everything Adio, Sachin, Marinade are saying as they seem to be the main contributors.
(Ignore the fool who rambles on about mansions and 60k. He or she qualified abroad. did OSPAP at Sunderland and works in a part of the UK that most people south of Stoke would never consider visiting. "It's grim up north" was the old saying. Hence her better salary and big house. Although I take all the figures with a pinch of salt for someone who has been on the UK register a year. They must be working in the equivalent of the "riot areas of the 80s, Handsworth Bham, Toxteth L'pool" to be given such high danger money. They probably spend all day pouring methadone and giving out citalopram everyone is so depressed! But I merely jest!! )
So...... the moral of this story is Don't rush into Pharmacy. Do work experience first.
(edited 4 years ago)
If any potential student who will be filling out their ucas application over the coming weeks or months and interested I pharmacy, please use this opportunity to ask us- full qualified pharmacists with varying levels of experience about the profession. It is a good way of gaining insight from pharmacists with years of experience from this profession, what is even better is the fact that you don't even need to leave the house, it's all at your fingertips, ask away!
Original post by wxgmak
wow.. I was considering Pharmacy after work experience even the pharmacist there (who's worked as a pharmacist for over 30 years) was telling me not to do it. I just dont know what course to do if it isnt pharmacy. Everyone on TSR really hates pharmacy.
I have met many doctors who say don’t do medicine, tbh don’t let others advice affect you TOO much, u may join the profession and love it , of course listen to what others who have experience say but also do your own research u may end up loving it .
Original post by Sharemine
I have met many doctors who say don’t do medicine, tbh don’t let others advice affect you TOO much, u may join the profession and love it , of course listen to what others who have experience say but also do your own research u may end up loving it .
Actually in the next few years they are going to change the application , all unis will now have to give mmi interviews to students which is the same they use for medicine students . Therefore making it harder.
Have you got in somewhere to do Pharmacy then?
If they intend to make it harder to get in, then with the rubbish money on offer at the end with all the stress too, it seems an awful lot of fuss for not much reward.
But I wish you the best of luck if you have decided to roll the dice/take the plunge etc!!!
If they intend to make it harder to get in, then with the rubbish money on offer at the end with all the stress too, it seems an awful lot of fuss for not much reward.
But I wish you the best of luck if you have decided to roll the dice/take the plunge etc!!!
Original post by Sharemine
I have met many doctors who say don’t do medicine, tbh don’t let others advice affect you TOO much, u may join the profession and love it , of course listen to what others who have experience say but also do your own research u may end up loving it .
You are a very wise person. I'm one of those pharmacists who actually love the profession and will encourage people to join. I love the day to day interaction with all sorts of patients (even the difficult ones). AT the end of my day at work, I go home happy that I have made a difference. I do agree that this place seem to be populated by frustrated pharmacists who are on the look out for who to vent their negative spleen on. I think most enlightened youngster would already know that the best way to have a good life is to avoid negative people like the plague they are. I heard all this negativity prior to becoming a pharmacist and I chose to ignore them. If I had listened to them, I probably would have ended up in a deadbeat career somewhere earning peanuts whilst living in a shoebox.
I would urge youngsters to do a course you are passionate about. It could be medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing etc. I'm a pharmacist and I'm living the dream. The money is fantastic, the engagement with patients is great. I love pharmacy and wouldn't do anything else.
#PatientsFIRST
(edited 4 years ago)
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