Pros and Cons of Being a Pharmacist Review
Career

Pros and Cons of Being a Pharmacist

Being a pharmacist is not only about dispensing medication to patients with prescriptions, but pharmacists in the present day are also responsible for various healthcare needs. Extensive knowledge in the field of medication is necessary for the treatment of any medical condition or disease. Thus, a pharmacist with such skills has an indispensable role to play in the healthcare industry. However, there is both advantage and downside to being a pharmacist. Here we are sharing both pros and cons of being a pharmacist for those who wish to explore this profession more.

Pros

1.  Mouthwatering Remuneration: The PharmD degree that you get after a lot of hard work is worth it once you start earning six figures. Many pharmacists at entry-level positions begin earning more than $100,000 annually.

2. Strong Future Prospects: This occupation of the healthcare domain holds a great prospect in the coming year. A report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics claims that this department’s employment is expected to see a spike at the 6% rate through the year 2026.

3. Job Stability and flexibility: Being a pharmacist means you won’t have to worry about your job position’s instability because it is counted among one of the most stable professions. Pharmacists are considered the most valued professionals in the healthcare community, and their services are always in need or demand. Moreover, the flexibility in work shifts is an added perk of being a pharmacist.

4. Various Opportunities: A pharmacist provides services to the two major sectors- the hospital sector and the retail sector. Thus, there are numerous opportunities and various roles to play in each community. As a pharmacist, you can work as an academic pharmacist, compounding pharmacist, consultant, and many more. You can also even start your pharmacy.

5. Work in a Safe and Clean Environment: Pharmacists work in the safest and most hygienic environment. Thus, there is less or no risk of getting infections from patients in this profession as compared to other healthcare professions like doctors or nurses. Also, being a pharmacist is a less stressful job than being a doctor or surgeon.

Cons

1. Overwhelming Educational Qualification: The degree of PharmD is considered equivalent to a degree of doctorate. A lot of hard work goes into becoming a Pharmacist. It demands around 6 to 8 years of comprehensive education as well as training to serve as a pharmacist. Moreover, you have to pay a heavy price to seek education and training in this arena that may make a hole in your pocket.

2. Huge Liability: Being a Pharmacist comes with great responsibility. You are responsible for ensuring the safety precautions of the medication given to patients. a pharmacist is liable to provide the right medications and dosage along with medication instructions to the customer. There is no room for any error in this profession.

3. Long working hours: Hospitals and Pharmacies have to be available 24/7 hours without any exceptions to even holidays. Being a pharmacist means you may have to work straight for 12 hours. This 12-hour shift can be extremely tedious sometimes.

4. Growing Competition: The growing competition in this industry can be a huge drawback. Even if you have all your educational qualifications to show, you still may not find any work in the industry. Or you may have to face a great deal of struggle in the competitive job market. However, if you find a job in this sector, you may not be satisfied with the salary you get offered.

5. Complex Profession: Being a pharmacist is not as easy as it seems. You may have to be on your toes to fulfill all your responsibilities. As pharmacies are open round the clock, a pharmacist is usually busy until their shift ends.