Which pre-reg place to choose?

[Jasmine]

Hi!

I'm new here and would love any help or advice you can give me! I'm a 3rd year pharmacy student, I have a pre reg offer from boots, but have my heart set on hospital pharmacy.

So, my questions are:
1. Can I successfully be a hospital pharmacist if i have done a boots pre reg?
2. Which pre reg will equip me better for the exam?
3. Will I have to do alot of calculations and aseptics in hospital? (the aspects i don't enjoy as much! I love the clinical side and patient interaction the most though)

Thank you for any help,

Jasmine x

[ramroum]

Hi,
1- You will have to re-train in hospital as there are differences between both sectors.
2- Both are as good. It depends on you reading the required books and practicing calculations.
3- It depends on the hospital. The aseptic calculations are not that hard when you get the hang of what to do.

I don't think there is much patients interaction at hospitals. Most of the patients on the wards visited by pharmacy staff are seriously unwell.

Good luck.

[Rafael]

Hi,

I don't think there is much patients interaction at hospitals. Most of the patients on the wards visited by pharmacy staff are seriously unwell.

Good luck.

which is not a bad thing at least you will avoid any contact with those who smell bad, the ones who come into the pharmacy to spray some deodorant, without buying it.

xx

[paul2008]

Hi Jasmine,

I think it is much easier to move from hospital into the community but I know people who have moved the other way, pre-reg in hospital varies from place to place, in some places you have amazing opportunities for experiance, while in others you have to make your own. Boots have, I'm told a good training program, and I'm sure wherever you go with a bit of effort you will pass that exam.

In terms of aseptics for hospital pre-reg, depends on the place, in our region pharmacists don't make aseptic products so we only did a mock product in other regions you may be trained to make products and spend more time in the aspetivc unit.

Calculations are an intergral part of pre-reg and yes you will do a lot in boots: doses, quantities, orders and whatever else community pharmacists do, In hospital doses, quantities, body surfacxe areas possiblry and creatinie clearances for dosing. You will have to do a lot of practice in all these calculations to pas the exam anyway so bre ready to calculate and learn to estimate as this is essential for the exam and practice (to check your calculations)

[paul2008]

Oh yes, a number of hospitals will train you up if you apply after pre-reg for a job so don't worry about having to retrain, its not a big thing.

[Jasmine]

Thank you all so much for your replies.

I have my boots as a back up incase I do not get a hospital offer, so its good to hear its not impossible to go into hospital afterwards. However, I feel that by what everyones said, that its a better idea to do a hospital pre reg.

Thanks,

Jasmine