Pharmacy and nursing are two distinct professions in the healthcare industry that play important roles in patient care. People aspire to be either a pharmacist or a nurse, but the two careers are not necessarily the same. Both pharmacy and nursing professions require a combination of education and skills to be successful. However, they have different responsibilities and career opportunities.

This article will explain exactly what each occupation entails, including the education and training required, job duties, work setting options and assignments, salary expectations, and advancement opportunities. We hope this information helps you understand the differences between these two positions so that you can decide which of these careers is best for your needs.

Overview of Nursing

A nurse is a healthcare professional responsible for providing direct patient care, such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with diagnostic tests. They also play an important role in educating patients and their families about their health conditions and treatment options. Nurses work with doctors but do not have the same training or education level as doctors.

Overview of a Pharmacist

A pharmacist is a healthcare professional responsible for filling prescriptions and dispensing medications to patients. They also educate patients on how to use their prescribed medications properly and play an important role in monitoring the safety of drugs. Pharmacists are involved in many aspects of the healthcare industry, including clinical research, consulting with healthcare providers, educating the public about health topics, and reviewing new drugs for safety purposes.

Education and Training

Both nursing and pharmacy programs are rigorous and require significant time and effort. Here are the differences:

Becoming a nurse requires less time in school and is less involved than becoming a pharmacist. Nurses are not required to earn a bachelor’s degree but instead complete Diploma in nursing, which typically takes around 2-3 years and is offered by hospitals or vocational schools. They can also pursue an Associate degree in nursing (ADN) which typically takes two years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which typically takes four years. To practice as a nurse, individuals must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)

To become a pharmacist, individuals must obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, which typically takes four years to complete. Pharm.D. programs generally include coursework in pharmacology, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, anatomy, and physiology, among others. After completing a Pharm.D. program, individuals must also pass a national pharmacy licensure exam to practice.

Job Duties

Pharmacists are responsible for dispensing medications to patients, counseling patients on the proper use of their medications, and monitoring patients for potential side effects and drug interactions. They also play an important role in helping healthcare providers to choose the most appropriate and cost-effective medications for their patients.

Nurses are responsible for providing direct patient care, such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with diagnostic tests. They also play an important role in educating patients and their families about their health conditions and treatment options.

Work Settings

Pharmacists can work in various settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. They can also specialize in geriatric pharmacy, oncology pharmacy, or critical care pharmacy.

Nurses also can work in a wide range of areas, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, clinics, industry, and research. They also can specialize in certain fields, such as pediatrics, oncology, cardiology, emergency care, mental health, and more.

Salary

The salaries for both occupations vary depending on the type of work setting and the experience level. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacists currently earn an average salary of $146,278 per year. According to BLS data, registered nurses currently earn an average salary of $67,000 per year. However, the salary will depend on education, training, and experience.

Advancement Opportunities

Pharmacists can advance in their careers by specializing in certain areas of pharmacy, such as geriatric or oncology pharmacy, or by becoming pharmacy managers or consultants. They can also choose to work in research or academia.

Nurses can advance in their careers by obtaining additional education and certification, such as becoming a nurse practitioner, or by specializing in a specific field of nursing, such as pediatrics, oncology, or emergency care. They can also choose to become nursing educators or managers.

Conclusion

Nursing and pharmacy are noble professions that provide a valuable service to society. Each profession offers unique career options and personal growth opportunities to its practitioners, which are both important to our nation’s health.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, April 18). Registered Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.gov. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm

McSherry, R. (1997). What do registered nurses and midwives feel and know about research? Journal of Advanced Nursing, 25(5), 985-998.

Lúanaigh, P. Ó. (2015). Becoming a professional: What is the influence of registered nurses on nursing students’ learning in the clinical environment? Nurse Education in Practice, 15(6), 450-456.

Starr, K., & Conley, V. M. (2006). Becoming a registered nurse: The nurse extern experience. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 37(2), 86-92.

About the Author

Priscilla Is a nurse practitioner that has been working in healthcare for over 10 years. She started working as a patient care tech, a Certified nursing assistant, A Licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, and a board-certified Family Nurse practitioner. She has worked in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and homes as well as working in the neonatal intensive care unit, pediatrics, maternal, and adult care, Military nursing, immediate care, and family practice.