Pharmacy

By Lindsay Daugherty
Nature of Work:
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners.

Provide information to patients about medications and their use.

May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage,
interactions, and side effects of medications

Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.

Order medical supplies or equipment.

Education and Training
Doctoral or professional degree

Clinical and Industrial Drug Development

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Pharmacoeconomics/Pharmaceutical Economics
Other qualifications:
Must have knowledge of Medicine and Dentistry

Customer and Personal Service

Must be an active listener

Knowledge of Mathematics and Chemistry

Requires critical thinking

Job Outlook:
Employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2014 to 2024

Demand is projected to increase for pharmacists in a variety of healthcare

settings, including hospitals and clinics.

The large baby-boom generation is aging, and older people typically use more
prescription medicines than younger people.

Higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes among all age groups will
also lead to demand for prescription medications.

As more people have access to insurance coverage, more pharmacists will be

needed to fill their prescriptions and to consult with patients about their
medications.
Potential earnings current and future
The median annual wage for pharmacists was $120,950 in May 2014.

In the future, you could be making $150,550

Related Occupations
Medical Scientists

Physicians

Registered Nurses
Registered Nurse
By Lindsay Daugherty
Nature of Work
Record patients medical histories and symptoms

Administer patients medicines and treatments

Observe patients and record the observations

Operate and monitor medical equipment

Set up plans for patients care or contribute to existing plans

Education and Training Needed
Must take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology, and other
social and behavioral sciences, as well as in liberal arts

BSN programs typically take 4 years to complete

ADN and diploma programs usually take 2 to 3 years to complete
All programs include supervised clinical experience
Many registered nurses with an ADN or diploma choose to go back to school to earn a bachelors
degree through an RN-to-BSN program
Other Qualifications Necessary
Must be able to assess changes in the health status of patients, including determining when to take
corrective action and when to make referrals
Must be able to work in teams with other health professionals and communicate the patient's needs
Must be caring and empathetic when caring for patients
Must be responsible and detail oriented because they must make sure that patients get the correct
treatments and medicines at the right time
need emotional resilience and the ability to manage their emotions to cope with human suffering,
emergencies, and other stresses
Job Outlook and Future Prospects
Employment of registered nurses is projected to increase by 16% from 2014-2024
Demand for healthcare services will increase because of the aging population, given that older people
typically have more medical problems than younger people
More nurses will be needed to care for these patients in offices of physicians, clinics, and other
ambulatory care settings
Job growth is expected in facilities that provide long-term rehabilitation for stroke and head injury
patients
May soon increase in residential care facilities
Potential Earnings:
Median wages for registered nurses was $66,640 in 2014
Future wages are projected to be $98,880 in 2024
Related Occupations:
Dental Hygienist
EMT/Paramedic
Physicians Assistant
Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Registered Nurses.
Occupational Outlook Handbook. N.p., n.d.. Web. April 13,
2016

Ferguson. Nursing. NY: Info Base Publishing, 2007. Print.

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