Rio Grande College of Pharmacy

Discussion in 'Nursing and medical-related degrees' started by timothyrph, Dec 16, 2001.

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  1. timothyrph

    timothyrph New Member

    I have read your forum with a great deal of interest. Lately since the change to the Pharm.D. Degree, several schools of pharamcy have come out with non-traditional programs to upgrade the pharmacist to the new degree. They do tend to be expensive but then professional schools within colleges are.
    This one popped up a couple of years ago. I know the laws are wierd in New Mexico, but doesn't a school at least have to have a shot at accreditation?
    The degree would be worthless, In our profession we tend to know every school. Although all you need in a state is a licensure to practice. The web page is www.riopharmd.net.
    Also would this be unlawful to claiim in Oregon?
    I appreciate any information that you may provide.
     
  2. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Well, it would be worthless in the sense that no one would accept it, for licensing or anything else . . . but isn't it the case that no one needs a DPharm, it is just something nice to have in the hope that people will call you "Doctor" (which could mean rollerblading on very thin ice, in a profession where health advice is often asked for and given).
     
  3. wrliggin

    wrliggin New Member

    I checked out Rio Grande last year when I was investigating whether or not to upgrade my BS in Pharmacy to a PharmD. Since it is not accredited by the ACPE, it is worthless. They do have a well-designed program that should have been the model for pharmacists with years of clinical experience. The ACPE-accredited non-traditional PharmD programs that have been created are too expensive, too long, and require 40 hr./week rotations. I have been very disappointed that the educational establishment for pharmacists chose to make the PharmD the sole degree for the profession, and then made it extremely difficult for pharmacists to upgrade. And while it is true that you only have to have a BS in Pharmacy to get a license, most hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, etc. are only looking for PharmD's. This has given the inexperienced new grads a tremendous advantage. My advice to the original poster would be to look at Shenandoah University's program (in Virginia)if he wants a PharmD he can use. If he just wants a PharmD in name, then get a license in Tennessee where all pharmacists are called Doctors of Pharmacy. This would be cheaper than Rio. It's a screwed up profession isn't it?
     
  4. wrliggin

    wrliggin New Member

    I should have added that I am a licensed pharmacist with at BS in Pharmacy from the Unviersity of Georgia. Go Dawgs!!!
     
  5. timothyrph

    timothyrph New Member

    You are quite right. There are some who argue in the profession that you may be "limited" in the type of job you can get in the future. In any profession the threat of being labeled a lesser professional is strong inducement.
    Actually, I don't understand the entire Pharm.D push by the schools. It seems to be overkill for Walgreen's. However, your statement "in the hope people will call you doctor" sums up a great deal of what a lot of us feel. In the future we will call everyone "doctor" for 15 minutes.
     
  6. timothyrph

    timothyrph New Member

    To wrliggin,
    Yes, I am now a "doctor" in Oklahoma. D.Ph. is the title given me by the state on November 1 (I thought I felt smarter when I woke up). I started to do the University of Arkansas but it is too expensive. (I hope we Sooners pound them in the Cotton Bowl) I have been a Director of Pharmacy for 7 years now. So I am really not that worried, just curious about the laws of New Mexico.
    Yes we are a messed up profession with little direction and the schools seem to be adding to that. Remember compounding? the schools don't seem to.
    I think Dr. Bear summed it up better than our leadership on the national level.
     
  7. wrliggin

    wrliggin New Member

    You don't have any worries unless you decide to change jobs. I have lost out in the interview process for MSL jobs a couple of times to new grads who had a PharmD. The best ACPE ntPharmD program that I've seen yet is Shenandoah at http://pharmacy.su.edu. It's an online program with a few site visits. If I ever go for the PharmD, they would be my first choice. Right now, I'm looking at MBA programs instead. I've gotten some terrific advice on this site.

    We were hoping to get a chance to play OU in the Cotton Bowl, but they surprisingly took Arkansas. You guys will kill them worse than we did. It would have been nice to play OU though. Nate Hybl was at UGA but transferred because Jim Donnan wouldn't let anyone but Quincy Carter on the field. Nice subplot there. Instead, we're headed to the Music City Bowl in Nashville to play BC. Good luck to your Sooners.
     
  8. timothyrph

    timothyrph New Member

    I would encourage the MBA, or MS in Healthcare Administration. As far as equivalent the board certification specialty would help when looking at clinical applications. Even a couple of schools have called it fairly equivalent and will take it as the didactic portion. (Although you still have to pay full price). You can e-mail me at [email protected]
     

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