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RxLink Pharmacy® 2004
Why I Chose
Pharmacy School
It has been
nearly two years since I received my acceptance letter into The
University of Minnesota School of Pharmacy. I recall having many
reasons for wishing to be a pharmacist, and while I am still excited
to get my degree in the Pharmacy Profession, I find that the reasons
I had for choosing Pharmacy two years ago have changed from the ones
I now possess today. This is not something I have thought about
considerably, yet looking at those inclinations I once had with
regard to Pharmacy, and how they have changed, makes me wonder about
how my feelings will be different about two years from now when I
have graduated. Why did I choose Pharmacy School? In truth, that
depends on when I am being asked; for as I learn more about the
pharmacy profession I find that my answers to that question change as
I find myself closer to earning my Pharm D. I will offer the answers
I had prior to entering the Pharmacy Program, the answers I hold
presently, and the answers I feel I may come to learn of as a
Pharmacists. I anticipate there will be a global theme surrounding
all of these different reasons for entering this profession, and the
best way to conclude these thoughts would be with that answer.
I applied to
Pharmacy school with the ideas that I would enjoy this profession
much more than I would serving the public as a Physician. I felt that
I would not burnout as readily as I might as a Doctor, that there
would be more career satisfaction because patients tend to trust
Pharmacists more readily than their doctors, and compensation in the
Pharmacy field seemed reasonable considering the additional four
years of school necessary for the Pharm D. Degree. Those three things
mattered most to me: I would enjoy my occupation, I would look
forward to working with patients on a daily basis, and the financial
compensation would allow me the freedom to pursue my interests in my
personal life. I did not expect any changes in these reasons to be
forthcoming, but they have evolved into more informed opinions after
participating in the Pharmacy School Program for nearly two years.
I have learned
more than I thought possible in less than two years of Professional
School. Reflecting back on my original motivations to join this
profession, I find that the themes have remained the same while the
details are now quite different. Job satisfaction involves much more
than working in an Ambulatory setting and dispensing. It involves
staying up to date with the literature, learning of new drugs that
are suddenly available, and taking CE classes at conventions all over
the country. This was something I had not anticipated or expected.
Another welcome surprise was the quality of the individuals who had
chosen to enter this profession. The friends I have made in this
program will soon be more than my classmates. They will be my
colleagues. this was something that had not been considered two years
ago, yet now I see working with my Pharmacy friends one of the most
exciting aspects of my future career. Job security did not previously
occur to me either, yet now I see that Pharmacists have one of the
brightest and most secure occupations in the Nation. These three
newly revealed aspects of the Pharmacy Profession have shown me how,
more than ever, I look forward to practicing Pharmacy following graduation.
No one can say
what the future holds. I have thought upon how my perspectives will
change once I am licensed and working with patients on a daily basis.
I can anticipate one major factor will overshadow all other prior
motivations directing me toward this field, and that is helping
people who need my help. The satisfaction of sleeping that night and
honestly realizing what a positive impact I have had on the people I
have interacted with that day. Knowing that my actions have made the
lives of those around me better. Reflecting on his, I can't think of
a better reason to get into the Pharmacy Program. People often wonder
what their calling is in this world. Through Pharmacy, I believe I
have found mine.
All people
have their reasons for doing what they do. In this essay, I find that
I have been steadily changing and updating mine. However, despite all
the changes, adjustments, and additions to my list of reasons why i
chose Pharmacy, I find that there is a central theme that encompasses
all of them. Whether the reasons come from my years prior to entering
the program, my current feelings about the program, or the future
thoughts, I will come to realize first hand in the Profession, all
these reasons fit under the most important one that anyone should
have in determining what they desire to do with their life. What is
this universal reason that I know Pharmacy will provide me with? Life satisfaction.
RxLink® 2004
How Will I
Make a Difference in the Pharmacy Profession?
University
of Iowa College of Pharmacy
The light at
the end of the tunnel: Graduation Day! After countless hours of
studying, thousands of dollars invested, hundreds of cans of cola
consumed, several textbooks highlighted, and one brain loaded with
information, I will embark on my journey to become a pharmacist. Not
just any pharmacist, but one who will make a difference. I envision
the shift of focus from the drug to the patient by implementing
pharmaceutical care, educating patients, and volunteering in the community.
Pharmaceutical
Care
Pharmaceutical
care is more than giving the patient their medicine and telling them
about the drug; it is providing information and education to the
patient to improve their quality of life. People look at pharmacists
as the most accessible member of the health care team and protector
of the public from drug misadventuring. The kind of atmosphere I
would like to work in is one where I can sit down with the patient
and investigate what is working for them and what can be done to
progress to a higher level of health.
Marketing this
service will be a challenge, but one I am willing to tackle.
Reimbursement from third party providers in nearly all cases is
directed towards medication. If the medication does not work, or is
duplicated therapy; then the insurance company, the health care
providers, and ultimately the patient have wasted time and money.
Utilizing the therapeutic knowledge I am learning now will allow me
to collaborate with physicians in an effort to provide the best
possible care to the patient while reducing the total cost of health care.
Patient Education
Imagine a
patient who goes to their physician for a check up and ends up being
diagnosed with diabetes. The patient has heard of this disease state
before, but shakes with fear when the physician describes all of the
maintenance that will be necessary so the patient can stay healthy.
The change in diet, the expensive medicines; and if that isn’t
enough, the constant and painful poking of their fingers to test
blood glucose levels. How will this patient ever lead a normal life
again with all of this to worry about?
This is where
I come in, like a hero to save the day; or at least dispel some fears
and show the patient a normal life is possible. I will host clinics
for disease states like diabetes to help the patient understand their
diagnosis. At these clinics, I will update them on the new
medications and new technologies available that can help manage their
illness. Spending extra time with these patients will increase
medication compliance and improve the quality of life.
Volunteering
Helping people
is such a wonderful feeling. This is one of the reasons I decided to
study pharmacy. While completing my coursework, I have had the
opportunity to volunteer at the Free Medical Clinic of Iowa City. At
this clinic, people can receive health care and medication at no
cost. Without people volunteering their time to run this clinic and
manufacturers and businesses donating medications, thousands of
people would suffer and hundreds could die.
Upon
graduation, I plan to volunteer many hours to help those less
fortunate. Additionally, I want to get others involved in
volunteering, regardless if it is at a medical clinic or being a role
model to a child. So many programs would disappear without
volunteers, like United Way and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
It is amazing how a few hours of your time can change the lives of so
many people.
By focusing
more on the patient than the drug, teaching people, and giving back
to the community, I will make a difference in numerous lives. For
now, though, I will keep on track through the tunnel and look for
that light which will signal the start of a brand new expedition. |
