Roberts 1

Marcy Roberts

Prof. Laura Pettay

ENG 111

30 October 2021

Pharmacy

Every person in the world deals with pain, whether it be for depression or a gruesome

injury, the remedy is the same; medicine. Because of this neverending need for medicine,

pharmacists are abundant in many towns and cities across the country including grocery stores

and hospitals. Recently, I have noticed the amount of pharmacists that are needed everywhere I

go, and I have found myself imagining what it would be like to be a pharmacist. The role of a

pharmacist at a grocery store or hospital requires dedication and commitment to the job, which

can be overwhelming for many prospective pharmacists.

Although the work required as a pharmacist may be overwhelming, the generous salary

provided allows for a very comfortable lifestyle outside of work. According to the Bureau of

Labor Statistics website, which provides information on hundreds of job titles, the salary of a

pharmacist ranges from $85,210 - $164,980. However, “the lowest 10% earn less than $85,210”

(Pharmacists). This job presents a good opportunity for young adults who are interested in

earning an impressive and comfortable salary, specifically in the Hampton Roads area. Despite

the high salary, pharmacy employment rates are expected to decline within the next 10 years.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of pharmacists is projected to decline

2 percent from 2020 to 2030” (Pharmacists). Despite this decline, nearly 12,000 openings for

pharmacists are projected yearly. Because of this high salary and declining employment, the
 Roberts 2

weekly schedule of a pharmacist could be difficult for some, especially for those who have

families.

Pharmacists are responsible for distributing medicine to people whenever they may need

it, which sometimes includes working late nights, weekends and holidays. According to the

Pharmacist Report website, which includes a variety of information given by actual pharmacists

who were interviewed, “as a pharmacist, you will be working during weekends, late nights,

vacations, and even on holidays' ' (Winner). While some pharmacists unfortunately have to work

these additional hours, many will work a conventional 40 hour week. According to the website

Mvorganizing, which answers many questions about the pharmacy career, “hospital pharmacists

usually work 8-10 hours a day, while most retail pharmacists work 12 to 14 hours a day”

(Davis). With this amount of required hours, this job would be good for a young adult without a

family, who can fully dedicate themselves to their work. Adversely, this career would be a bad

fit for someone who has young children or loves to travel. Certainly, pharmacy is a career that

requires more hours than most, from the beginning of college to retirement.

Pharmacists must have an outstanding knowledge of the medical field. Because of this

requirement, pharmacists must take more college courses than those in other fields. According to

the website Collegegrad, which includes hundreds of job profiles for careers, “Pharm.D.

programs usually take 4 years to finish … some schools admit high school graduates into a 6-

year program” (Jobs). Because becoming a pharmacist takes 6 years in most cases, it could

impose a challenge for those who struggle financially. If a Pharm.D. student is satisfied and able

to pay the tuition for 6 years of courses, then this career is a perfect match. The pharmacy career

is driven by medicine, so the majority of courses required in college are in the science field. This

includes courses in chemistry, pharmacology, and medical ethics. While many pharmacists are
 Roberts 3

content with their 6 year degree, there are ways to further advance in the field. According to

Collegegrad, “pharmacists seeking an advanced position, such as a clinical pharmacy or research

job, may need to complete a 1 to 2 year residency” (Jobs). This residency would be a fantastic

opportunity for a young adult that is completely focused on their career. However, it would be

challenging for someone who has a family and cannot give the time needed for the residency.

While the role of a pharmacist at a grocery store or a hospital requires commitment and

dedication, this job can be very stressful and overwhelming for many potential individuals

considering a career in pharmacy. Between the copious amounts of education, uncertain

schedule, and overall stress that comes with the job, many people will feel uncertain about

becoming a pharmacist. The job appears intimidating, yet it draws on my desire to give back to

my community in a way that helps all kinds of people. However, I would not continue to

consider this career because of the fact that it would be hard to start a family because of the long

hours. While the remedy for pain is medicine, I am not sure that it is the right remedy for the life

that I am interested in.

 Roberts 4

Works Cited

Davis, Ben. “What are a pharmacists hours.” MVOrganizing, 29 May 2021,

https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-are-a-pharmacists-hours/. Accessed 26 Oct. 2021.

“Jobs, Career, Salary, and Education Information.” Collegegrad, 2021,

https://collegegrad.com/careers/pharmacists. Accessed 26 Oct. 2021.

“Pharmacists.” Occupational Outlook Handbook - Bureau of Labor Statistics, 13 Sept. 2021,

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm#tab-5. Accessed 26 Oct. 2021.

Winner, Danielle. “Do Pharmacists Work Everyday (Hours and Holiday Pay Guide).”

Pharmacist Report, 2021, https://pharmacistreport.com/do-pharmacists-work-everyday/.

Accessed 26 Oct. 2021.