ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to assess and compare levels of career commitment to pharmacy practice experience, professional pharmacy degree obtained, most important factor in deciding to become a pharmacist, and career plans of pharmacy students. Specific objectives of the study included assessment of: 1. pharmacy practice experience, professional pharmacy degree obtained (B.S. or Pharm.D.), demographics, highest level or position wish to attain in career, choice of practice setting, anticipated work patterns in terms of number of hours worked per week, most important factor in deciding to become a pharmacist, and 2. the relationships between those variables and pharmacy students' level of career commitment. Data were collected via a pretested questionnaire utilizing Rascati's adaptation of Blau's Career Commitment Scale. The questionnaire was administered to second-professional-year pharmacy students at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in April, 1995. A total of 114 students completed the survey. Certain variables within the study were tested against a total career commitment score using the general linear model, with multiple comparisons tests (Tukey-Kramer), where appropriate. Results indicated that most students have pharmacy practice experience (69.7%) and that many students anticipate working in chain pharmacies upon graduation (42.1%). The mean commitment score was 28.29, with possible scores ranging from a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 40. Results yielded no significant association between career commitment and age, gender, marital status, professional pharmacy degree obtained, pharmacy practice experience, highest level or position wish to attain in career, most important factor in deciding to become a pharmacist, and anticipated work patterns in terms of number of work hours per week (p > 0.05). Although pharmacy students have varying backgrounds and diverse career plans, they possess similar levels of career commitment.
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