Pharmacy is a rapidly growing field, with employment of pharmacists projected to increase 4% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. With good job prospects and relatively high pay, pharmacy often appears to be an attractive career path. But do pharmacists actually enjoy their work? There are many factors that contribute to job satisfaction for pharmacists.
Job Duties and Work Environment
Pharmacists have a complex and varied set of responsibilities. Their primary role is to dispense prescription medications to patients and provide information on proper usage and potential side effects. However, pharmacists often take on additional clinical roles such as administering immunizations, conducting health screenings, and managing chronic diseases. They also verify patient insurance coverage and ensure proper medication dosages and interactions.
Much of a pharmacist’s workday is spent on their feet, interacting with patients and other healthcare professionals. The work environment can be hectic and stressful at times, especially in retail pharmacy settings. Pharmacists in hospitals and clinics may have more regular schedules. Most pharmacists work full time, and about 1 in 5 worked weekends, evenings, nights, or rotating shifts in 2020.
Job Outlook and Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for pharmacists was $128,710 in May 2021, one of the higher paying occupations that requires a 4-year university degree. The lowest 10% of pharmacists earned less than $92,000, while the highest 10% earned more than $166,810. Most pharmacists work in retail chain pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, mail-order pharmacies, grocery stores, and mass retailer pharmacies.
Employment for pharmacists is projected to grow 4% from 2020 to 2030, adding about 17,000 new jobs. An aging U.S. population is likely to lead to increased demand for prescription medications. The increased number of individuals with access to insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act may also spur demand for pharmacists. However, employment growth will be limited by the increased use of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy aide positions. Overall, job prospects are expected to remain good for pharmacists who are willing to work in retail settings or relocate.
Workplace Stress
Despite the positive job outlook, surveys indicate that pharmacists suffer from relatively high rates of work-related stress and dissatisfaction. A 2018 survey found that 60% of pharmacists reported their job as stressful. Stress factors included long hours, heavy workloads, meeting productivity metrics, and dealing with angry or impatient customers. 31% of respondents felt their workload was heavy or extremely heavy.
Workplace stress can lead to burnout, defined as a combination of exhaustion, cynicism, and feelings of inefficacy. A 2020 study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association found that nearly a quarter of pharmacists surveyed exhibited signs of burnout. This can negatively impact job performance and patient safety. Contributors to burnout include production pressure, lack of control over work, and poor workplace relationships.
Causes of Dissatisfaction
Surveys have identified the leading causes of dissatisfaction among pharmacists:
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Lack of recognition and respect | Pharmacists feel their expertise is undervalued and contributions overlooked. |
| High productivity quotas | Pressure to fill prescriptions quickly leaves little time for patient counseling. |
| Inadequate staffing | Staff shortages increase workload and wait times. |
| Paperwork burden | Excess administrative tasks like prior authorizations cut into patient care time. |
| Unsatisfactory work conditions | Issues like unreliable technology, lack of meal breaks, and poor workspace ergonomics. |
While salaries remain relatively high, many pharmacists are dissatisfied by the emphasis on productivity over patient care and preventative services. A lack of recognition and advancement opportunities also contributes to burnout.
Impact on Patient Care
Dissatisfied and burned out pharmacists tend to be less engaged and empathetic in patient interactions. A survey showed that 60% of pharmacists agreed that their workload kept them from optimally counseling patients. Burnout and lower job satisfaction are linked to increased medication errors.
Pharmacist burnout may also increase costs and decrease access to care. Turnover results in high replacement costs for employers. Understaffing when positions are unfilled reduces pharmacies’ capacity to fill prescriptions. Patients may need to wait longer or use alternative pharmacies.
Improving Job Satisfaction
Steps that could improve pharmacist job satisfaction and retention include:
- Increasing the number of support staff to reduce pharmacist workloads
- Adding scheduled lunch and rest breaks to reduce fatigue
- Promoting collaborative practice models that expand clinical roles
- Allowing more time for patient consultations and medication counseling
- Recognizing pharmacists’ skills and impact on patient care
- Providing advancement opportunities within organizations
- Offering flexibility in scheduling when possible
- Implementing new technologies to simplify workflow
Organizational culture and leadership play a large role in shaping the practice environment. Managers should foster teamwork, recognition, and open communication. Pharmacists also need to set boundaries and utilize stress management techniques. Professional associations advocate for expanded pharmacy services and staffing ratios.
Career Satisfaction Factors
When asked about the most satisfying aspects of their work, pharmacists commmonly cite:
- Helping and interacting with patients
- Serving as a trusted health resource
- Catching potentially dangerous medication errors
- Collaborating with other healthcare providers
- Educating and advising on medication therapies
- Applying their clinical knowledge and expertise
- Continually expanding their knowledge and skills
Pharmacists enjoy opportunities to take on expanded patient care roles and make a difference in people’s health. While reducing workplace frustrations and burnout risks is crucial, focusing on the rewarding parts of the job can increase enthusiasm.
Job Satisfaction Statistics
Surveys measuring pharmacist job satisfaction have produced mixed results:
- A 2021 survey found 65% of pharmacists described themselves as satisfied overall with their job
- Only 49% were satisfied with their compensation and 35% with advancement opportunities
- Hospital pharmacists tended to report higher satisfaction than those in retail pharmacies
- A 2018 survey showed only 14% of pharmacists were very satisfied with their jobs
- However, 72% reported being somewhat satisfied
- Only 13% were dissatisfied according to this measure
While many pharmacists enjoy helping patients and applying their expertise, heavy workloads, lack of support staff, and pressure to work quickly appear to be leading to high rates of burnout and impairment of job satisfaction for a significant subset.
Career Recommendations
Individuals interested in pursuing a career as a pharmacist should:
- Shadow working pharmacists to understand typical job duties and work settings
- Talk to pharmacists about the pros and cons of their jobs and average workload
- Consider part-time pharmacy technician work to gain experience
- Learn about opportunities for advancement and expanded clinical roles
- Evaluate both retail and hospital pharmacy settings
- Develop stress management and self-care techniques as a student
- Maintain good work-life balance and set boundaries as a pharmacist
Finding the right practice environment and patient population can enhance career satisfaction. Pharmacists have the most direct patient contact of any professional in the pharmacy setting, which many find very rewarding. But prospective pharmacists should enter the field with realistic expectations regarding workload demands and practice limitations.
Conclusion
While salaries remain high, pharmacist job satisfaction appears to be average to below average overall. Persistently high levels of workplace stress and burnout point to a need for improved working conditions, staffing, and workload. However, most pharmacists find their patient care role intrinsically rewarding and appreciate the chance to improve lives through medication therapy management. Steps to increase recognition, advancement opportunities, clinical roles, and work-life balance could lead to higher job satisfaction. But many still enjoy the challenging yet fulfilling nature of the work.