Pay in pharmacy isnt as bad as made out!

[Asterix]

I know theres been a lot of debate about how much people earn and some people on here being unhappy with their pay. Found this and its quite accurate and it shows a pharmacists pay is decent

[Zoggite]

Very interesting, Giggsy; I felt quite smug until I saw where "medical practitioners" were in this list... Now I feel pig-sick again!!!!

[whitecoat]

I know theres been a lot of debate about how much people earn and some people on here being unhappy with their pay. Found this and its quite accurate and it shows a pharmacists pay is decent

Where did the daily mail get these saleries from? I not sure the average hospital pharmacist earns £37k (approx 10k less usually). Also my friend is a teacher and only earns £24K (a bit different than on this list)

Whitecoat

[admin]

Hi

I am quite happy with my salary, and find I earn more then most people I know. I find that 35k is enough to give me quite a good life, and for money to drastically change my life I would have to get enough to retire and spend my days playing golf! If I earned 100k a year I would still have to go to work, I'd just have a better car and a bigger house - probably with rooms in it I'd never use anyway!

What annoys me is the time I spent studying for a job that could be done with the qualification time of a nurse - two years post "O" level. I feel cheated that I spend years qualifying to do what I do.

[Asterix]

Hi

I am quite happy with my salary, and find I earn more then most people I know. I find that 35k is enough to give me quite a good life, and for money to drastically change my life I would have to get enough to retire and spend my days playing golf! If I earned 100k a year I would still have to go to work, I'd just have a better car and a bigger house - probably with rooms in it I'd never use anyway!

What annoys me is the time I spent studying for a job that could be done with the qualification time of a nurse - two years post "O" level. I feel cheated that I spend years qualifying to do what I do.

are you saying that studying pharmacy was a big mistake?

[Pharmanaut]

are you saying that studying pharmacy was a big mistake?

The grass can always look greener.

So giggsy, my good friend, here is some insight into my mind.

The green pastures of pharmacy have the following weeds growing in there.
We have been saying that the hours are long and the public expectations are raised for us to be open even longer. If you are an employee you are under pressure to cover these hours. Look at the PJ. We have reached the situation in the 21st century where people have to write letters about having a break at work. Its shambolic.

The busiest times in a normal pharmacy are first thing in the morning, and last thing in the evening. Staying bright and sharp with 100% concentration takes a lot out of you.

Public expectations of what you can do are raised. Medicines are consumer goods and the public get very aggressive if there is someone asking them questions that temporally separate them from their goods. However, they are then equally aggressive if they suffer harm because of your 'negligence'.

Policing the prescription exemption system makes you very weary. Keeping up with all the allowances and rules in that area means that your time is used as a public resource. In the meantime your other paid work is piling up higher and higher.

The roles are extending, the weight of responsibility is increasing. Sometimes it can be crushing.... why is this?... here's the next section.

Rules and regulations are being heaped on with a new load being heaped over the old before you get the chance to sort out the first lot. Now everyone has a say in how you have to do even the smallest thing.

So from a bright young pharmacist --- you slowly morph into a Jobsworth.
You are then perfect for the system.

However, in the meantime this thinking has become part of your psyche.

You then hate what you have become. That's what I hate about it.

[Asterix]

The grass can always look greener.

So giggsy, my good friend, here is some insight into my mind.

The green pastures of pharmacy have the following weeds growing in there.
We have been saying that the hours are long and the public expectations are raised for us to be open even longer. If you are an employee you are under pressure to cover these hours. Look at the PJ. We have reached the situation in the 21st century where people have to write letters about having a break at work. Its shambolic.

The busiest times in a normal pharmacy are first thing in the morning, and last thing in the evening. Staying bright and sharp with 100% concentration takes a lot out of you.

Public expectations of what you can do are raised. Medicines are consumer goods and the public get very aggressive if there is someone asking them questions that temporally separate them from their goods. However, they are then equally aggressive if they suffer harm because of your 'negligence'.

Policing the prescription exemption system makes you very weary. Keeping up with all the allowances and rules in that area means that your time is used as a public resource. In the meantime your other paid work is piling up higher and higher.

The roles are extending, the weight of responsibility is increasing. Sometimes it can be crushing.... why is this?... here's the next section.

Rules and regulations are being heaped on with a new load being heaped over the old before you get the chance to sort out the first lot. Now everyone has a say in how you have to do even the smallest thing.

So from a bright young pharmacist --- you slowly morph into a Jobsworth.
You are then perfect for the system.

However, in the meantime this thinking has become part of your psyche.

You then hate what you have become. That's what I hate about it.

1. This forum has put me right off pharmacy although i have offers
2. This is exactly why i want to work in the us

[Pharmanaut]

1. This forum has put me right off pharmacy although i have offers
2. This is exactly why i want to work in the us

I have told it like it is, but it is my point of view.

Obviously, if you have the potential to study pharmacy you must be quite a bright person. Its a critical decision that you have to make.

[whitecoat]

Hi

I am quite happy with my salary, and find I earn more then most people I know. I find that 35k is enough to give me quite a good life, and for money to drastically change my life I would have to get enough to retire and spend my days playing golf! If I earned 100k a year I would still have to go to work, I'd just have a better car and a bigger house - probably with rooms in it I'd never use anyway!

What annoys me is the time I spent studying for a job that could be done with the qualification time of a nurse - two years post "O" level. I feel cheated that I spend years qualifying to do what I do.

Hi Admin

£35K may be enough for the older generation of pharmacists who mortgages are probably around £200pcm with zero debt but £35K very average for the younger generation of pharmacists.
I think the younger generation will probably feel much more 'cheated' after completing a four year degree, a year's pre-reg (with a 70% pass mark), average 20K in debt and are now totally priced out of the housing market and don't earn anywhere near £35K


Whitecoat

[Zoggite]

Policing the prescription exemption system makes you very weary.

That's why I can't wait for April 1st 2007, when Rx charges will be scrapped in Wales!