Becoming a pharmacist: easy and in very high demand?

[WeRSauron]

My mother's recently on a "one of my children should be a pharmacist, like their father" kick. (Forget, for a moment, that said father has a PhD in pharmacokinetics, which is a bit different from being a pharmacist.) She is convinced that it's easy enough for anyone to learn and grasp, and that it's very easy to find a cushy, high-paying, good-hours job as a RPh.

Now, question is this: what exists in the world of reality? Is it really that easy to become a pharmacist? Are there that many job waiting for prospective pharmacists?

WRS - I'd much rather like a doctorate in political science or religion instead, thankyouverymuch.

[Epimetheus]

Probably true in relation to many other careers. I wouldn't say it was a piece of cake, but compared to most of the minds on this board, it would be relatively simple.

Myself on the other hand, struggle greatly with just the prerequisites, and my GPA is slowly but surely dropping. And the schools are all pretty competative. I am under the impression if your GPA is less than 3.5, don't bother. I can only afford another B or two and I will be at that point. Easy? Not for me anyhow. Definately in high demand, and there are lots of applicants, which means there is a goodly amount of competition.

[Epimetheus]

Of course with a doctorate in political science or religion your starting salary will not likely be 80k. (not that money is everything, mind you)

[Really Not All That Bright]

I don't know.. I've got a bachelor's in political science, which will either lead me to a doctorate or a JD, and it's pretty damn useless.

If you're good at chemistry, give that pharmacist thing a try.

[Smeghead]

I'm working with a guy who's planning on getting a PharmD degree, which is a four-year post-graduate degree. According to him, and others from whom I've heard this, there's a strong demand for pharmacists out there and the starting pay is very good. OTOH, pharmacists tend to have high rates of burn out and drug addiction.

[John Carter of Mars]

I think that once you're a pharmacist everything's cool. The college work leading to a degree is very demanding.

I had a few neighbors in college that were in the School of Pharmacy and they had to keep their noses in the books most of the time.

[Wesley Clark]

Originally Posted by Smeghead

OTOH, pharmacists tend to have high rates of burn out and drug addiction.

My dad is a pharmacist and told us not to go into it. He works 70 hours a week and has for as long as i've known him. His wages are good, he makes about $43 an hour with a ton of benefits but its obviously not worth it to see what its done to him. Its not unusual for him to get up at 6am, prepare for work, leave for work at 830, get there at 9, close up at 930pm, get home at 945, watch an hour of tv, go to sleep and do it all again tomorrow. No thanks, i'd rather drive a hyundai, live in a small home and work a job that doesn't kill me inside instead.