Pharmacist

What's to Like about Pharmacist Jobs:

Demand is strong and pay is high for this medical career. Therefore pharmacists enjoy job security and stability, and availability of jobs in just about any location nationwide. A variety of options and work settings are available for pharmacists as well.

What's Not to Like about Pharmacist Careers:

As with nursing and some other high-demand medical careers, burn-out can be an issue. While pharmacists earn a strong salary, the annual salary and job description doesn’t change much over a pharmacist's career. Once you become a pharmacist, most likely you will be doing the same thing 15 years from now for the same pay, as what you experience right out of college. Furthermore, pharmacists must stand on their feet all day and the work can be repetitive. One other concern for pharmacists is maintaining clean licensure. A single error in dispensing medication can have catastrophic results and damage one's career.

Career Paths and Work Settings for Pharmacists:

Once licensed, pharmacists can choose from a variety of work settings and types of pharmacist jobs, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, corporations, long-term care facilities and more. According to Sherrie Nacke of Hire Dynamics Rx, there is not much variation in salary from one setting to the other, but the work schedule and duties vary in each position. Therefore, different roles may appeal to different types of personalities and individuals who become pharmacists.