Becoming a pharmacist (mature student)

[BLUESKY]

Dear All,

This is my first post-please be indulgent!
I am considering to re-train to become a pharmacist and I have several offers to start the MPharm course in Autumn 2009. This is such a change in my life that I want to make sure I am taking the right decision. I would be devastated to have qualified as a pharmacist and to have generated huge debts and not be able to find a job.
The following points are bothering me:
* I am a (v.) mature student (32). I would be 37 at the end of the pre-registration. Could that be a problem in finding a job and/or in developing a career? Any example of mature students who successfully start a career late in life?

* I have a PhD in biology and many people I have talked about re-training as a pharmacist raised their eye brows. Do you know of any students with postgraduate diplomas having embarked in a MPharm?

* I have read a few posts on this forum and many members seem to strongly discourage new comers in the profession. I am not totally clear why it is.

I am also looking for a work experience placement of a couple of days in a community pharmacy but I am not sure what is the best approach. Any tips would be much appreciated.

With many thanks

[johnep]

I regret your problem is very common. Bad advice when you were considering what to do. Biology was popular with girls but really only job available is teaching. I met several biology graduates on minimum wage working as assistants in pharmacies and hoping to become technicians.

Also several more out going types were on training course with me to become med reps.

However, press reports are that the days of med reps are numbered as fewer Drs will see them.

In my young days, the idea of going to uni was to be able to get a good job previously reserved for the privileged. Then the idea of going to uni became a method of reducing youth unemployment, and this is still major aim of govnmt.

Recently, uni itself has been seen as a good idea in its own right without thinking of the end consequences. Very few millionaires went to uni.

johnep

[DavidS]

Dear All,

This is my first post-please be indulgent!

May I say your first post is of excellent quality!

Perhaps you SHOULD consider teaching. Its desperately needed, if not wildly appreciated.

Pharmacy has been good for me, but yes, its a lot to take on even at your young age. And, as you say, the debt will be difficult.

If you do take the plunge, at least in the distant future when you retire you will have no problem with what to call yourself: you will be able to call yourself a Doctor. (There is some argy bargy as to whether we will be able to call ourselves pharmacists when we cease to practice.)

Actually, I think I might give myself the courtesy title of Doctor when I retire, too! I wonder how many of my colleagues have thought of that. Subject for another topic.

[Rafael]

did you check what fees are you going to be paying?
i heard if you have done a degree and want to retrain and do another degree, you will have to pay international( not home) student fees. this might put you off pharmacy so double check please.

[BLUESKY]

Thank you for your replies.

To Raoul, the university I would go for has not yet implemented the 'equivalent or higher degree' policy on funding. This is the only university I found which still charge the 'lower' rate for mature students with a previous degree.

BTW, one more question, if I was not a mature student with a PhD, would you recommend the pharmacy career to me?

Many thanks

[johnep]

The main thing in pharmacy has been that until now it has a job at the end protected by the law.

no one pretends that community pharmacy is fun any more, but my son was made redundant from a computer job on Friday, unlikelt to happen to a pharmacist.
johnep

[DavidS]

no one pretends that community pharmacy is fun any more

What about

Sex in the stockroom with the Saturday girls
All the Opium tincture you can drink, and heroin you can inject, and viagra you can swallow,
Teasing the pesky customers by asking them loudly "Was that CONDOMS you asked for?" and then short-changing them when they're flustered
The excitement of working in wonderful remantic places and being fawned on by beautifully manicured cosmetics consultants
... and all the other things I've been promised


you mean they LIED to me??????

(ps if my regular Saturday staff see this, I'm dead and buried)

[Fleegle]

Easy on there Dave..

Fleeg.

[emelianenko]

On the course at the Uni where I am at, we have about 4 students same age as yourself. All are enjoying the course and have no regrets thus far. Actually 75% of the year group is comprised of Mature entrants. PM me if you want more info.

[Pharmanaut]

What about

Sex in the stockroom with the Saturday girls
All the Opium tincture you can drink, and heroin you can inject, and viagra you can swallow,
Teasing the pesky customers by asking them loudly "Was that CONDOMS you asked for?" and then short-changing them when they're flustered
The excitement of working in wonderful remantic places and being fawned on by beautifully manicured cosmetics consultants
... and all the other things I've been promised


you mean they LIED to me??????

(ps if my regular Saturday staff see this, I'm dead and buried)

Could I prescribe a bucket of cold water; stat?