(29) Community Pharmacy’s Influence on Student Career Choice

Objective : To determine which factors influence students’ career choice of practice after graduation.

Methods: A 22-item electronic survey was distributed to first (P1) and fourth (P4) year pharmacy students assessing workplace experiences, stressors, environmental preferences, and future career plans during the fall of 2023. Questions specifically related to negative influences were also included. Survey question formats included multiple choice, single answer, rank and free response. Descriptive statistics were collected and reported. This project is approved by the IRB.

Results: The total number of students surveyed was 190. Eighty-three students responded (N,83). Two-thirds (68.2%) of respondents were P1 students, and one third (31.8%) were P4 students. A majority of respondents reported negativity from a pharmacist (80%), friend or peer (77%), pharmacy technician (75%), or a patient (70%). More than half (58%) of respondents feel that community/retail practice is looked down upon by other pharmacists. Most students (56%) feel stressed or overwhelmed at work. A majority of the stress reportedly comes from school work load (82%) and understaffing issues in the workplace (75%). Most students (56%) reported their preferred practice setting has changed over time. Factors having the least influence include faculty, guest speakers, and preceptors. Over half of students (51%) feel discouraged from community practice following graduation.

Conclusions: Most students report negative influences related to the community practice work environment. Stress from understaffing, negativity expressed by current employees and patients influence students’ preferred practice setting. Students feel that careers in community pharmacy may be looked down upon by other pharmacists. Further research is needed to pinpoint negative factors that may deter graduates from community practice and the role of colleges of pharmacy on this phenomenon influencing our students’ future careers.