CAREER COMMITMENT, CAREER PLANS, AND PERCEIVED STRESS - A SURVEY OF PHARMACY STUDENTS

An investigation was conducted to gather baseline data which could be used in a longitudinal study as students progress through their pharmacy careers. Specifically, the study assessed: (i) students' career commitment, career plans, and perceptions of stress in pharmacy practice, and (ii) the relationship between those three variables. Data were collected via a questionnaire administered to fourth year pharmacy students at the University of Georgia in January 1990; a total of 99 students completed the survey. The students were most likely to anticipate working in chain pharmacies upon graduation and most respondents aspired to managerial positions. Certain facets of students' career plans were related significantly to career commitment and perceptions of job stress. Data from follow-up questionnaires to be administered in the years ahead should provide important information regarding changes which occur as students make the transition into pharmacy practice.