Can't find any work exp/shadowing! :(

[DRUGS]

Hey guys.

I'm going to apply for pharmacy '11 entry.

I think I've got pretty good grades ( 2A*,7A,2B at GCSE, predicted A's in maths bio and chem at a-level) I really want to do pharmacy but one major thing I'm missing out on is work experience. I think I might be at a disadvantage if I don't have any
I've asked lots of pharmacies but they all say no and say they don't have insurance. It makes me down sometimes but I don't know what to do or who to go to. I'm planning on ringing them again and begging that they let me just shadow them for a few hours. ANYTHING!

What do you think I should do and is it really a bad disadvantage? Has anyone got into Manc/Aston/KCL/Notts without it?
Also, is there any part of the forum where I could ask if any pharmacists in Rochdale or Greater Manchester to help me out.

Thanks!

[Nik]

If you do a quick search in the student section, you'll find plenty of students who have been in the same position as you. Grades are good, experience is a bonus but NOT a pre-requisite for any uni (I think). When I applied, probably about 90% of applicants if not more, had no experience. The big chains may not be the best bet yet, independents or maybe supermarkets might be more promising.

[crit care]

i wouldn't worry about it too much...i know people who got into nottingham without any experience...wouldn't have thought it would hinder you getting in....i didn't ahve any experience prior to going to uni and it did me no harm...the key is to get the experience in whilst your at uni doing summer placements

[DRUGS]

When I got accepted to Strathclyde, I had no experience that could even remotely be related to pharmacy. In fact, as well as being at school, I also worked in McDonald's! If you can't find any pharmacy experience (or even if you can, just as a bonus) then it might be an idea to volunteer as a first aider for the British Red Cross/St John's. I'm a Red Cross first aider and I love it. Not only will it give you experience of a medical caring profession and experience of independent decision making, problem solving and continuous professional development, but its also a lot of fun (you get to go to gigs, sports matches, music festivals etc for free) and it always feels good to help someone! You only have to put in as much time as you want and can fit it around whatever you're doing. Definitely worth a look.

Ah thanks for the suggestion! I'd never have thought of it and yeah it could be possible for me. I'm already a qualified first aider and this would be great to do, so yh cheers.
Do you have any links for it? My town always seems to be dead and have nothing happening here...

[enzotabletcounter]

Try contacting either organisation's head office, the details should be on the Red Cross/St John's websites. They'll be able to advise you on who to contact for your local area. Some areas the Red Cross do more, some its St John. In some areas they'll even train you up to blue-light ambulance level.