AboutMary E Scott, RPh, CGP Expertise I am a certified geriatric pharmacist with over 23 years experience as a long-term care consultant to nursing homes. I also do community-based consulting on an individual basis. My facility-based monthly newsletter on pharmacy topics is read by nurses in over 200 long-term care facilities in 5 states.
Experience I received a BS in Pharmacy in 1980 with post-graduate work in public health. I have had a Consultant Pharmacist license since 1984.
Organizations American Society of Consultant Pharmacists .I received certification in geriatric pharmacy in 1998.
lilly writes on 2008-01-21 16:10:51
I am a pharmacist in Raleigh NC. I am a graduate of UNC, the only public University to offer a degree in pharmacy in the state. There is a website with the requirements. Google UNC Pharmacy. ECU is in Greenville not Raleigh and has a medical, dental, and nursing program but not pharmacy. NC State is in Raleigh but does not offer any medical programs except a graduate veterinary school. Campbell in Buis Creek and Wingate outside Charlotte are 2 private schools that offer pharmacy. Campbell is closer to Raleigh in a rural community.
The degree is at least 6 years but most people will take longer. It is important to register for chemistry courses your first semester freshman year in order to get them all in your 2 years of prepharmacy. Many students often have to take 18 to 20 hours+ and summer school to finish the education in 6 years. You need chemistry through organic 2, biology 2 semesters, anatamony, microbiology, physics, calculas one semster before enering pharmacy school as a junior. Most courses also require labs.
Most science classes are at 8 am or early am with labs in the afternoon. At UNC you also must complete general college requirements english, history, 3 semesters of foreign lanuage. Campbell has different requirements and Wingate is a new program and I don't know much about it.
Pharmacy school is very competitve. It is not uncommon for people to apply mutiple times before being accepted. At UNC you do not declare a major as a freshman but CHEMISTRY is what I would do. You need a back up plan in case you do not get in. You should be an excellent student graduating close to the top of your class and find math and science to be your best subjects. You must also take the PCAT exam to apply to pharmacy school as a junior. Working in a pharmacy also helps being accepted. It is eaiser to get into pharmacy school at UNC if you start as a freshman and then it is still very competitive.
Starting salary depending on the field is at least 80,000 to 100,000. Many retail positions will pay higher and forgive student loans. Google this on the internet. However, if you are looking for a clinical position a residency followed by a fellowship will be necessary. The salaries are much lower during residency/fellowship and then will rise with a clinical position.
Pharmacist work very hard and many hours. Most careers in pharmacy are not 9 to 5. There are no sick days or snow days you are expected to be there. You must have a strong work ethic and be very motivated. You will work Holidays, nights, and weekends. The job outclook is excellent and salaries have doubled over the last 10 years.
