True Figures - The Cost of Pharmacy School

So, I haven't kept it a secret that I have not felt fulfilled as a pharmacist.  I have posted many rants about my job, and have considered going back to school.  Actually, I recently attended an academic advisement meeting to see what I need to do to go to medical school, and have scheduled other meetings to research various fields that I am interested in.   So far, I believe that medical school is no longer an option for me, as it is to much time for me to invest at 27 years old. Not that it wouldn't be worth it, but I don't want to be 35+ years old before I start practicing on my own. Not to mention the $180,000 of debt the average student graduates with (in my state).

-Lesson-
If you want to go to medical school, pursue it first, as it is a huge investment of time, money, and energy.  It takes a bachelors degree, four years of medical school, 2-4 years of residency, and then 2-4 more years of fellowship (depending on your specialty).

That being said, I would like to talk a little more about pharmacy.  Where I live, the job market is getting saturated.  People are graduating without jobs.

Let me rephrase that.  People are graduating with $150,000+ in debt, without a job.... debt that never goes away... ever.

Personally, I graduated with a little over $170,000 of school debt, which is a little funny to me.  It's funny because one of the factors that lead me to choose pharmacy over medical school was the debt factor.  My grandpa did some homework for me just before I graduated high school, and took me around to talk to people regarding a major.  I actually had a physician tell me to stay away from medical school because of the debt, and to go to pharmacy school because it is cheaper and pharmacists make a good living.

Sounded good, but looking at it now, I seemed to have graduated with the same debt as the average physician when they graduate.  Not to mention that fact that I make half to a quarter of their average salaries.

BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

This is absurd.  Not only are we paying more for our education, we are now graduating without the promise of a job near our home.

I will have to admit that I did take the max amount of loans to include cost of living during school, which left me with about $10,000 a semester (during pharmacy school NOT undergrad).  Therefore, if you are going to any kind of grad school, take it from me and BE DILIGENT.  Do not give in to the "American Way" of thinking that you can have it now and pay for it later, because you will become a SLAVE to debt.  Just like our nation has become a slave to our debt and debtors (thanks China!).  Also remember that the Bible says not to go into debt to anyone, but if you do, get out of it as soon as possible (for you will be a slave to your debtor).

My monthly payments for my loans are a little over $1500.  That is on the 10 year plan they put you on when you graduate.  You can extend the loans to the 30 year plan, or apply for some of the special programs that they have to reduce your cost per month, but that is what it costs me to stick with the 10 year plan.

If you have ever crunched the numbers (or have seen them crunched), you will recognize the fact that extending loans to 30 years will basically DOUBLE the amount you pay for the original item purchased.  So I would pay $340,000 for my education (including the cost of living amount) instead of the original $170,000.  Hence the reason I am sticking with the 10 year plan.  Now, add that payment to a $1000 dollar a month mortgage, and you will see that there isn't a lot of room to try to make double payments to get out of debt as soon as possible.

That being said, it seems very compelling for me to stop complaining and just appreciate the fact that I:

1. Have a job close to home
2. Have a good salary
3. DO NOT WORK IN RETAIL
4. I am in a place where I can try to get debt free as soon as possible

In fact I have looked at this, and have decided it isn't all that bad.

However, I have been called by the Good Lord above to do something Radical, and I have decided to answer that call.

Please read my next post to hear an amazing true story that may just inspire you to follow the Lord with all of your heart, mind, and soul.

Until next time,
Peace to you and may the Lord Bless You in all that you do.   - AMEN!

The HCG Diet

HCG, is it truly a miracle diet drug?  With so many clinics offering therapy, and so many websites offering drops, I would like to offer a little truth on the matter....

I cannot deny the results that people have with HCG.  They seriously lose about a pound a day!  That is pretty amazing, but they pay for it, with their wallets.  Clinic visits can cost around a hundred dollars a pop, with a forty day course of injections plus needles costing roughly the same.  Drops on the internet are less expensive, but what do you know about homeopathic medicine?  Let's just say it is very interesting.  So take a look at these links and decide for yourselves. 

PowerPoint Presentation  Handout

This was one of my research projects, so the terminology may be confusing, and some information may seem lacking, but it was accompanied with a live presentation.  If you get confused, just post your questions and I'll get back with you.

Bottom line.... People lose weight with the diet, but they only eat 500 kcal a day.  Anyone will lose weight if  they do that, HCG or no HCG!

What do you think?  Would you recommend HCG or take it?

Medical Missions

I once asked a pharmacist that goes on medical missions if there was a job for her when she goes.  She said,

                     "Yeah, the most important job..... handling the meds." 

Now, I am so confused by that.  Countries that need medical missions don't have boards of pharmacy, and  they don't care which team member handles the meds, they just appreciate receiving the help. The one mission trip that I had the pleasure of being a part of had a medical branch and a church branch doing Bible School and giving supplies.  I don't remember a pharmacist on the medical branch (I was in school and was with the church), and I know they handed out meds. 

What I was asking her was, do they use her medical knowledge, or at least her drug knowledge.  I'm sure they would refer to her to see which Sulfonylurea was in stock or which ACE-inhibitor they had, but I wanted to know if we could be of use - medically (as I know God can use anyone for any purpose).  With Hurricane Irene hitting the Northeast, and Tropical Storm Jose brewing, I would like to think that pharmacists can do something other than supply system management, not that I think we are better than Doctors, but I think we are a valuable asset.  Our training and the overall desire of pharmacists to make a difference drive me to ask these questions. 

Can our profession develop into a pharmacist practitioner of sorts?  I know that some states allow pharmacists to prescribe certain medications, and most states allow collaborations between doctors an pharmacists to have standing orders (e.g. flu shots), but how far can we go?  I am trying to pose these questions in a positive light rather than in a whiny "woe is me" tone.  I have to admit that when I started pharmacy school, I just wanted to help my family and those close to me with the fruits that this profession bears.  Not that I didn't think of the little white haired ladies or the weather talking old men that we interact with so often, but my family was my primary concern.  Now I feel like I have a calling to do more.

Should I go to Seminary?  Should I go to medical school?  Should I stay where I am and see what kind of positive things God can do with a profession that has already given me such grief?  I'm not sure yet, but I will be praying and taking steps find out.

Hospital pharmacy

Is hospital pharmacy any better? I recently interviewed for a hospital pharmacy job and it seemed as though there are similar issues that the pharmacists have with their jobs. Now I know all shift work will have it's ups and downs, but will hospital pharmacy be any better than than community? I guess I'll find out---- hopefully. Let me know if you have any stories or experiences that will help me with my decision to change my career path.

Merry Christmas!

The truth

You know. No matter how angry I get, no matter how cynical I can be.... There is nothing compared to the Good Lord in the world. No matter how we perceive him, and now matter how He chooses to reveal Himsel, there is just nothing like him in this world. Put that in your record books. know what I'm saying?

Update on Techs

I was looking around the "blogosphere" and noticed a really good blog about requirements to be a technician in California.  Read it here on the Angry Pharmacist's site.