You want to be a Pharmacist?

To this day one of the most read posts is "10 Tips of making it through your first year of pharmacy school" Long title I know and not that creative might I add. I always feel so scattered. Every other day I try to talk myself into deleting this blog. I just can't seem to bring my self to do it.

At first I wasn't a mom, who was blogging about getting ready to be a mom.
Then I was a mom blogging about mommy stuff.
( I mean I am still a mom, just a less figured out one)
Next a pharmacy student writing about student stuff.
Now I'm a pharmacist, and well I'm not all that sure what I write about at this point.

So, this morning when I logged to see how the blog was doing. Who's reading, if anyone is reading, and what exactly they're reading. I decided, "Hey why not put a new spin on an old topic" What do I have to lose, right?

Ok, can I first say I am pro-pharmacist because I think from this moment forward it may not exactly sound that way.

1. If you are thinking about pharmacy school...Don't do it, turn around and go the other way. Now why would I say that about a career I love so dearly?

Supply and demand.

I recently had a lot of interviews, and I mean a lot. The market is not looking all that great. I've had many interviewers tell me, "the market is so saturated, I really have the ability to hire who I want and pay what I want. Because students need jobs."

Whoa! At present I am compensenated really well. Just to put you in a range I make upwards mid-sixty/hourly. Now I can tell you out of the 8 interviews I had NO ONE willing to A. match my pay and B. Come within $8 of it. I think the lowest I've been offered is $40/hourly by a company who claimed I was highly recommended to them. They were really interested and even offered to give me $5 more hourly than the initial offer. Financially, I just couldn't do it. I am over $200,000.00 in debt. I do have a 4 year old. And most certainly I must live.

This whole situation has been frustrating and frightening. I love my job. I love being a pharmacist. I volunteer my time as a pharmacist to my community because I enjoy. While, I realize money isn't EVERYTHING. It does take money to do most things.

I want students who are interested in being pharmacists to really understand what that means, to understand the commitment.Financially. Years ago people would say "don't become a pharmacist just for the money" Well now the money isn't there like it was.

So, You want to be a Pharmacist?

Ask your self what's the plan if I graduate and I don't receive a full-time job offer?

Or

What if I have to move away from my family or thousands of miles from where I thought I was going to live?

What is my game plan if it takes a year or 2 for me to find employment? What will I do if I can only find part time employment?

What will I do if I get in $120,000.00 of debt from student loans and I thought I would be making $100,000-$150,000/yearly but I find myself making $55,000-$90,000.00?

If you still want to be a pharmacist, if you still have the passion and you feel like a pharmacist is who you were created to be. Go for it, and be the very best pharmacist you possibly can. Change lives, hell change the profession. Be eager and enthusiatic to make the world a better place. Just know the flavor of the tea, before you sip it.

Meeting Situations With Something Other than Anger

I like to consider myself to be a rather mild tempered individual. However, every once and a while I find myself in situations where I am easily angered. Working in the pharmacy,  for instance is the type of environment where hostility is quite common. For all of my pharmacy readers, we've all experienced this. A customer who is angry for a simple mistake, a longer than usual wait time, an outrageous co-pay, an insurance issue, or [my personal favorite] no apparent reason. This no apparent reason person is the most difficult of them all. You can over and beyond, farther and wider and yet they will still find a way not to be satisfied. They in fact choose to be angry. Be it a bad day or just a bad life, they are too lazy to over come the easy feeling of angry.

Sometimes anger is provoked and seems like a very necessary reaction, I've felt this way many times.You become a health professional to serve and help people, and you find someone jumping down your throat for doing just that, helping them. You feel insulted, threatened, and attacked. I think this feeling is one of thee worst aspects of retail pharmacy. During this past year of rotation, I've heard many pharmacist simply say they can't handle retail. I would like to think that I pride myself on being very versatile. In that, I can handle any environment. I may not like it, but I can certainly handle it. Working retail pharmacy has taught me a lot. Groomed me actually. Into a better person. Taught me that sometimes we need to meet uncomfortable situations and unruly people with something other than the anger we may so desparately feel they/it deserves. These situations present us with opportunities to exercise all that we aspire to be in this world.

I experienced a very devastating situations almost two years ago. The lowest point I've ever been in life actually. I was so broken. The only emotion I could muster was anger, because it was easy. I didn't have the energy to give the situation anything other than anger. The people around me who cared about me begged me to gain control of my emotions. My father has always been my sound reason. Whenever, I've been in a mind set to make a really irrational decision, my mother has always summoned my father to bring me back. And this situation was no different. His advice to me was to remain calm always, because when you're dancing with your emotions you're not at your best and you're not focused on what is at hand. This is absolutely, positively true. I have learned this the hard way.

Sometimes the situations and the people we feel most deserve the worst we have to give actually really need our best. They need our kind spirits, reassuring smiles, optimisim, problem-solving skills, our creativity, our balance, and most certainly our peace. I'm certain that many of us would be astonished by the number of people who live unpeacefully every single day of their lives. We all have our demons, and they're all different. My struggle may be different from yours but it's a struggle all the same. The best that we have was given to us to give to others. Meeting situations with something other than anger is not for the faint of heart. It's not easy or even always recognized or appreciated. But most often than not it's necessary. Misery loves company, but you don't have to be that company. You have a choice to decline the invitation, and counter offer with an invitation of your own. Not anger, not today!

Graduation Motivation...

Graduation marks a triumphant completion. For me, it marks the end of senseless early mornings and the death of sleepless nights.

I can remember my grandmother taking me shopping to find the most appropriate interview attire to downplay my nicely formed baby bump. I was five months pregnant when I interviewed for a seat in the school of pharmacy’s class of 2016.

What are we doing or giving to make things better? If the answer is “nothing,” then we are failing. The only thing that stands in the way of being is doing. It takes just one step. One foot in front of the other, left foot, right foot repetitiously, enthusiastically and persistently.

This journey was not easy, nor was it glamorous. I’ve been frustrated, overwhelmed and angry. I’ve punched a time clock more than I’ve vacationed. I’ve endured heartbreak and betrayal. I’ve felt like a failure more than I’ve felt affluent.

I was determined to stay the course. Being bold brought me to the occasion, and being humble allowed me to rise to it. I did this for the little girl who calls me “Mommy,” to show her she has a choice and to set the standard, not the exception.

On May 8, I will graduate as Dr. Charity B. Strothers. However that amounts to nothing if my greatest accomplishment serves only to advance myself singularly.

For the person with just as many doubts as dreams, I share this poem:

It Couldn’t be Done

By Edgar Albert Guest

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done

But he with a chuckle replied

That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one

Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin

On his face. If he worried he hid it.

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;

At least no one ever has done it;”

But he took off his coat and he took off his hat

And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,

Without any doubting or quiddit,

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,

There are thousands to prophesy failure,

There are thousands to point out to you one by one,

The dangers that wait to assail you.

But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,

Just take off your coat and go to it;

Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing

That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

Oh Sweet Sixteen!

It is 2016, please lets take a moment of celebration [insert celebration] OMG I can not believe that I have made it through 4 years of pharmacy school. I am so thankful and filled with so much emotion. Can I bask for a moment in time? Life has been really crazy. I always stop in with a short nothing to say and promise to come back and really talk about what's been going on with me. But life has just kept me really busy. Since I won't have too much going on I've thought about deleting this blog after school and starting a new one. But, I just can't bring myself to do it.

Emsley is almost FOUR and  almost as tall as ME! Which doesn't say a lot because I'm super short. She is so beautiful and smart. Four entire years and I still haven't gotten my life together. Oh, and I'm still fat! I'm eating as good as ever. Somebody gotta do it.

Graduation is less than an ENTIRE month a way. It's so surreal, I will be a Pharm D. (ehh hmm) a whole doctor. Life has not been easy, ever! But it's been a really good time.

Hopefully graduating will free up some of my time. Probably not, I just swap old goals for new goals. I had a spare moment yesterday and noticed I hadn't posted in nearly 2 years. Unacceptable on my part. This blog means so much to me and no one probably even reads it. If I was on my iphone I would insert one of those little crying side mouth emojis. Humble beginnings, I think this blog was initially started to pass time and make money. Just to confirm I've made no money. I also, think it served to help improve my writing. I've written so many articles. I recently had to write a four page paper for school and was completley full of myself. Like is this a paying job or NAH?

There is always a little something about home. You can never go too far or do too much, that you can't come back home. No matter how long I've been away or how much I've accomplished (or not accomplished) it feels good to come back home and write about life.

Until...

FIRST QUESTION *YAY*

SO I don't know if you guys remember or not but you can email me questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions for ADVICE or ANYTHING and I will respond on the blog or Privately however you want just indicate that in the email. And my email of course is thejovialmom@gmail.com.

At any rate my first ever question reads as follows: What tips or advice can you give me about preparing for my pharmacy school interview?

Well, that is a great question!

First understand why you are there. You have applied to the school which shows your interest in the school and this is their way of showing some interest back. If you have made it this far you have beat out 30% of applicants so you should be proud of yourself.

 Pharmacy is a professional program so you must go into the situation with a high degree of professionalism. No tats or piercings showings. Stick with black and white for your attire. Very basic nothing to over powering.No Cologne or perfume. Let's play this out in our heads one of your interviewers has just broken up with their significant other and you are wearing the scent that they use to wear (by the way they broke up because the person was cheating and they now hate them) it sounds off the rocker but you will be surprised.

 I like the saying "people will forget your name, they may even forget your face, but they will never forget how you made them feel." GO IN CONFIDENT even if you're not. Work the room. Be at ease with yourself. Make them feel like "you would be crazy not to have me here" 90% of that interview is going to be how you make them feel. AND you control that 100%.

BE HONEST! I didn't have the best transcript and when they asked about that I told them I made them believe in me because I was honest.

 Know your history on the school and why you want to be there. NOT JUST PHARMACY SCHOOL BUT THAT PHARMACY SCHOOL.

 ASK questions not a ton so they feel like you are interviewing them but two questions to let them know you are really excited and interested and that you were paying attention.

BE passionate even if pharmacy was your back up plan research it and KNOW WHY NOW IT IS YOUR NUMBER 1 PLAN !!

Look up issues on and related to pharmacy. Know all recent issues on your field. When I was doing my interviewing,  pharmacists being able to do immunizations was a big thing and sure enough I got a question on it. Pharmacy today is a magazine you can read you can get pharmacy apps anything just be current and up to date on relevant issues.

 You will probably get some questions on working in groups or dealing with people from different backgrounds and your ability to communicate. So, be ready for those.

 The main thing will just be your personality. Interviews are like songs. IF you have a good rhythm and beat and can make people feel happy and like they want to party without being annoying they kind of overlook what you say because they believe in how you are making them feel (to a certain extent that means be prepared to the best of your abilities and just let the rest align)

Hope that helps!

10 tips of making it through your first semester of pharmacy school

So because I am so thankful that God allowed me to successfully make it through my first semester of 8. I thought "why not make a blog post about it" because when I found out that I was accepted to pharmacy I hit the net looking for any information that I could get to prepare and such because I was so excited so here goes.

1. To Prepare or Not To Prepare (before you start school)

I say this depends on what type of learner you are, your educational background, and responsibilities. I say that because when I was researching people always said wait there will be so much work and you just need to relax right now. However, my honest opinion is if you don't have an undergraduate degree in a science or if you aren't strong in science it would be a good idea to read various material something like a cliffnotes or review book just to get familiar with some terms and concepts. And I wouldn't say you have to go hardcore with it. Maybe just read it before bed or something along those lines. And this would be a good idea if you take a bit of time to process information. I know for me sometimes I can state facts but things don't actually connect or make sense until a few chapters in. Also, if like myself you are a mom,dad, or work any type of situation where pharmacy school won't be the only thing on your plate, preparing ahead is a good idea.

2. Study>Sleep

This isn't really a suggestion but it sounded pretty cool and it was true for me. Study the first week of school, study the second week of school. Study every week of school. Study when you don't feel like it. Study even when you feel like you understand. DON'T STUDY 1 hour before the exam. So, that statement is personal preference, I know before pharmacy school I would study right up until I took the exam but I found this semester that it was so much information that I would get confused and frustrated if I tried to look over and talk about things an hour before the exam. I know a mistake I made was letting valuable study time get away from me because I didn't have an exam that week or whatever. It's better to be ahead than behind so even if nothing is pending. No tests, no quizzes no homework still study. START strong FINISH strong! It is so hard to play catch up and I'll tell you it was because in 2 classes that I took this semester that I started strong, I scored really high on the first two exams that I was able to pass the class. That is a horrible feeling, when you have a difficult class and you have to calculate "Oh, I need at least a 80 to pass the class" you didn't get a single 80 all semester like how you expect to get one now. It's not impossible but it's hard, stressful, and dis encouraging

3. Listen to yourself

Ok, so I'm telling you how things went for me. But everyone's experience will be different. Take what people (peers,colleagues', students ahead of you) say with a grain of salt. Professors change, people change. Hear what they say but listen to yourself and what your professors say.

4.It's in your Head

You know more than you ever think you know. If you truly studied. Don't freak out. Take a breathe and THINK. It's all up there, it's just a matter of pulling it out.

5. You Must read to Succeed

I know for my school they gave handouts. So people didn't read. This is a personal preference type thing but, reading can never hurt.

6. You come to learn NOT to friend

Pharmacy school will be a bunch of different cultures and personalities all thrown together. It's important to have few people you can call for assignments, studying, questions and things of the such. But if you don't gel with half of your class it's okay. That was a lesson for me. I felt so out of place, I just had a baby I was young but not the youngest and old but not the oldest. And to be honest I felt really lonely. So, don't get caught up in all of that.

7. Remember Why You Want to be a Pharmacist

If you what to be a pharmacist because you don't know why or money skip this number. Everyone else keep reading. You will feel crazy, it may be tough but you're there for a reason so even when it looks bad stick it out. I can't tell you how many times I had to remind myself I'm doing this for Ems to make a way a better life, because this is my passion, I don't love anything else, I've wanted to do this since I was 16. Something drove you to it. Let that something drive you through it.

8. Plan

Plan your study sessions. Plan study breaks. Plan your lunch. Plan your breakfast. Plan your dinner. Plan dates. Plan events. Know when your tests, homework, and assignments are due. The more you plan the better life will be.

9. Communicate

With your professors and that means asking questions. If you have a question ask it, the professors are on your side they are on your team. Visit each and everyone one of your professors at least once every two weeks and a little more often for harder courses. I say this because if you plan to go see them you don't want to go and just look stupid so that forces you to look over material find questions and make certain you understand. It also makes them familiar with you face to name. And then they really cheer you on. And you guys develop a relationship and you don't want them to think you are stupid so you study and try to do well AND they feel bad if you don't do well. I've never failed a class where I had a relationship with the professor. I've only failed one course EVER and I spoke to that professor 3 times and one of those times was after I have failed the course.

10. HONESTY

Be honest with your family and friends about what you are about to experience. If you don't have time or you've been studying really hard and you rather sleep, be honest. Because if you fail a test or something I mean you can blame them but it won't really mean much. You may feel a little better you may not. Be honest with yourself! If you know you didn't study don't be mad at the professor because you failed, YOU DIDN'T STUDY. You will talk more to yourself now than ever before. I talk to myself so much sometimes I'm in the grocery store mumbling to myself. You may not be the smartest but work the hardest. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. You may not understand everything. GET the help. COMPETE with YOURSELF ONLY, because that's all that matters. You competed for your seat you don't have to compete to keep it.Tape your lectures. Make flashcards out of the material. Study alone first. Relax your mind to give yourself an opportunity to process information. Try to get into bed by 12 always. TEAMWORK MAKES DREAMWORK, try to transcribe notes and make study guides work together with your classmates. NO PHARMACIST LEFT BEHIND help your brother and sisters. Be inspirational and encouraging. WHERE the mind goes the man will follow you can do it. Think Positive. Stay in your lane, drive your own car. Other people don't understand as well but they probably won't say it. Nothing beats failing  Don't tell your grades.PRAY. DON'T ask your professors to change test and assignment dates. Make mnemonics they help. Dry erase boards help. Personal preference but studying away from home, away from the bed is normally a good idea. You can do it! IF only because I BELIEVE in YOU!!