Is pharmacy stressful?

Asked by: Dr. Geo Wisozk  |  Last update: October 27, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (52 votes)

Higher levels of stress were most common among respondents working in the community sector, with 70% of 306 community pharmacists saying they were 'moderately stressed' or 'very stressed', compared with 64% of 397 hospital pharmacists and 49% of 208 pharmacists in general practice (see Figure 1).

Do pharmacists have a stressful job?

Pharmacists endure significant professional stress, which could lead to job burnout [3,4].

Are pharmacists happy in their career?

Pharmacists in this survey reported that on a Likert scale of 1-7 with 7 being the maximum that the they rated their overall job satisfaction as 3.76, down from 4.23 in 2021.

Which is more stressful, a doctor or a pharmacist?

Interestingly, medical students showed statistically significantly higher SHS scores than pharmacy students. Female students revealed significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression and stress in pharmacy school, but in medical school female students presented uniquely higher stress levels.

What is the hardest part of being a pharmacist?

Cons of being a pharmacist
  • The educational requirements are extensive.
  • The education is expensive.
  • You may need to stand for long periods.
  • The work can be stressful.
  • The environment can be hectic with great responsibility.
  • You may need to work off-hours, weekends, and holidays.

Clinical Pharmacist in Cardiology - ICU Day in the life

42 related questions found

Is pharmacist harder than nursing?

When it comes to comparing the difficulty level of the path to get a job in nursing vs. as a pharmacist, pharmacy school is considered harder. Although you need commitment for both options, studying to become a pharmacist is characterized by a more intense workload and a longer duration.

What is the biggest problem in pharmacy?

Unreasonable workload expectations and staffing and scheduling issues ranked highest among negative experiences reported by pharmacy workers in 2023, according to a workplace and well-being report published March 18.

Is pharmacy school harder than med school?

Both paths - pharmacy and medicine - involve rigorous educational requirements, but medical school generally requires a more extensive investment of time and commitment.

Who gets paid more doctor or pharmacist?

As of May 2020, pharmacists didn't earn more than doctors in the U.S. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2020, pharmacists in the U.S. made a mean annual wage of $125,460.

Do pharmacists get burnout?

Burnout has become a critical issue in the healthcare industry, and not just for doctors and nurses. Pharmacists experience unprecedented and increasing demands, with fewer resources to meet them, leading to high burnout rates.

Is being a pharmacist worth it financially?

“While managing student loans and finances can be challenging initially, pharmacists typically earn six-figure salaries, making the financial return on investment over time well worth the cost.”

Do pharmacists have good work-life balance?

Pharmacists play a crucial role in patient care, medication management, and public health [1, 2]. However, the nature of their work often involves long hours, shift work, and high-pressure situations, which can significantly impact their work-life balance and overall health [3, 4].

Is a pharmacist a high paying job?

BLS data shows that, in 2023, a pharmacist in California, Alaska or another top-paying state could expect an annual mean wage between $143,210 and $157,280 while one in a lower paying state could expect between $99,140 and $127,780.

What is the burnout rate for pharmacists?

Burnout among hospital pharmacists is high (61%) and comparable to burnout rates among physicians and nurses. There is a gap in self-awareness among pharmacists who are burned out, an alarming phenomenon that can perpetuate burnout and could lead to suboptimal patient care.

Why are pharmacists leaving the profession?

Survey results from pharmacists who left the profession paint a clear picture. They cited poor leadership, unrealistic expectations, and lack of career growth opportunities as major reasons for their departure. One pharmacist shared that after 15 years of loyal service, no one even blinked when they left.

Is being a pharmacist a lot of math?

Common math requirements to become a pharmacist include statistics and calculus. Your program of choice might also ask students to take precalculus. Some programs even ask students to complete courses that combine math and science (ex. calculus for the life sciences) or math and the sciences (ex.

Do nurses or pharmacists make more?

The average salary for a pharmacist is $126,946 per year . Depending on their experience, annual salaries may range from $107,453 to $133,697. The average national salary for a registered nurse is $89,850 per year .

Is pharmacy school hard?

Intense coursework: Expect to delve deep into sciences alongside therapeutics, drug interactions, and disease states. Not to mention hands-on training. Committing to memorization and comprehension is crucial. Time commitment: Be prepared for long hours studying, attending lectures, and completing labs.

What do doctors think of pharmacists?

Perception of Physicians About Pharmacists

More than three-quarters of physicians agreed that pharmacists provide evidence-based drug information (n = 660, 97.3%), rectify drug-related issues (n = 666, 98.2%) and contribute to improving patient care (n = 653, 96.3%).

Is pharmacy harder than dental?

Answer: Although both graduate schools are difficult to become admitted into and to complete, typically dental school is harder than pharmacy school. Dental school is notoriously known for being more difficult than most medical school due to the overall stress and rapid rate of new subjects and material.

What is the hardest year of pharmacy?

The third year of pharmacy school has the most difficult classes by far.

Do pharmacists take the MCAT?

Do You Need to Write the MCAT for Pharmacy School? You don't need to write the MCAT to get admitted into pharmacy school; it's specifically designed for students applying to medical schools. Instead, you'll need to write the PCAT for your pharmacy school application.

Why is pharmacy so stressful?

Pharmacists often work in isolation, unlike other healthcare professionals who work in teams. This lack of social interaction can contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are known risk factors for burnout.

What is the weakness of pharmacy?

Poor customer service: Poor customer service can be a major weakness for a pharmacy, as it can lead to customer dissatisfaction and ultimately drive them away to competitors. This can include issues such as rude or unhelpful staff, long wait times, or a lack of knowledge about products or services.

What is the future of pharmacy in the next 10 years?

Pharmacy automation is expected to more than double by 2030. This use of automation will allow pharmacists to spend more time on virtual and physical patient care. This expanded role will include initiating therapies and having greater flexibility in deciding which drug to dispense.