Retail or Hospital?

[Doctor Hue]

Which do you think is better and why? Currently I'm starting to intern for CVS and I was told that working for CVS is hell, why is this?

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[trailerpark]

Which do you think is better and why? Currently I'm starting to intern for CVS and I was told that working for CVS is hell, why is this?

Cvs is where the devil lives. Why do you think the letters are red? Blood red.

 

[Sparda29]

 

[zelman]

The difference is this person also has a director. Customers' actions have no consequence unless they break the law with a LOT of evidence left behind.

 

[owlegrad]

The difference is this person also has a director. Customers' actions have no consequence unless they break the law with a LOT of evidence left behind.

I had interactions with nurses that were worse than any customer interactions I ever had. In some ways it is worse coming from a nurse. I always thought, "Shouldn't you know better? I wouldn't talk to a fellow human being like this, let alone a coworker." Of course it is different for each person but yeesh some nurses....

 

[xiphoid2010]

The difference is this person also has a director. Customers' actions have no consequence unless they break the law with a LOT of evidence left behind.

Aye. While there are no shortage of *****ic or rude nurses, there is at least a limit to the level of behavior allowed. They still have to answer to the DON, the board, bound by the same hospital rules and policies.

I speak with the DON multiple times a week to facilitate the interactions between pharmacy and nursing. There are always going to be frictions, but we don't let things cross a certain line without consequences.

 

[Doctor Hue]

Cvs is where the devil lives. Why do you think the letters are red? Blood red.

I was able to go back to the pharmacy at the CVS I did my training at. What I saw was that the pharmacist was just in the back behind a counter typing away on a computer and doing work there. So shouldn't it be that the pharmacist can just chill in the back while all the techs have to go up and suffer from the customers? That's what it felt like when I was there. And if that's the case I'm all down for that; I feel like the techs should suffer anyway because they didn't have to go to pharmacy school. The pharmacist should have the benefit of a peaceful work area in the back

 

[RxMonkey]

I had interactions with nurses that were worse than any customer interactions I ever had. In some ways it is worse coming from a nurse. I always thought, "Shouldn't you know better? I wouldn't talk to a fellow human being like this, let alone a coworker." Of course it is different for each person but yeesh some nurses....

From what I've experienced, Pharmacists and Nurses have a Hatfield v McCoy relationship. Each has a distaste for the other. And I am not sure why.

 

[Sparda29]

From what I've experienced, Pharmacists and Nurses have a Hatfield v McCoy relationship. Each has a distaste for the other. And I am not sure why.

It's because nurses want stuff right away and pharmacists are a gatekeeper to what the nurses want. Naturally, if someone pushes you to do something faster, you're gonna slow down on purpose just to spite them (I know I would).

 

[Dalteparin]

It's because nurses want stuff right away and pharmacists are a gatekeeper to what the nurses want. Naturally, if someone pushes you to do something faster, you're gonna slow down on purpose just to spite them (I know I would).

Wanting stuff right away is fine if it's actually a STAT order; the trouble is, the nurses who are the rudest and most demanding about getting their stuff right away are the ones who work on the lowest acuity units. Yes, I know Hep B vaccine is important in Well Baby Nursery, and yes, I know that the guy in the Outpatient IV Clinic just wants to get his Xolair and get back to work. However, if they call me at at the same time that the ED needs tPA or ICU needs a quad-concentrated levophed drip, Well Baby Nursery and the Outpatient IV Clinic will just have to be patient.

 

[PharmtoCS]

Hospitals are expecting reduced reimbursements per patient under the PPACA. By trying to make up for lost profits with volume, hospitals in my area are cutting staff while taking on increased patient loads. CVS and the other chain pharmacies aren't the only ones that are cutting staff.

 

[Sparda29]

Wanting stuff right away is fine if it's actually a STAT order; the trouble is, the nurses who are the rudest and most demanding about getting their stuff right away are the ones who work on the lowest acuity units. Yes, I know Hep B vaccine is important in Well Baby Nursery, and yes, I know that the guy in the Outpatient IV Clinic just wants to get his Xolair and get back to work. However, if they call me at at the same time that the ED needs tPA or ICU needs a quad-concentrated levophed drip, Well Baby Nursery and the Outpatient IV Clinic will just have to be patient.

Regardless of whether it's STAT or not, it still needs to be a valid order that goes through the whole process.

Incorrect: Nurse shows up at window and demands a Levophed drip without giving a patient name, MR #, body weight, dose rate in mg/kg/min, concentration, diluent.
Correct: Nurse takes verbal order from doctor, enters it into the CPOE system on behalf of the doctor as a STAT (system won't allow order to go through without all information entered) , pharmacy verifies and compounds and delivers.

If it truly cannot wait to go through the process, open up the ****ing crash cart and make it yourself.

 

[bp2313]

I was able to go back to the pharmacy at the CVS I did my training at. What I saw was that the pharmacist was just in the back behind a counter typing away on a computer and doing work there. So shouldn't it be that the pharmacist can just chill in the back while all the techs have to go up and suffer from the customers? That's what it felt like when I was there. And if that's the case I'm all down for that; I feel like the techs should suffer anyway because they didn't have to go to pharmacy school. The pharmacist should have the benefit of a peaceful work area in the back

HUH? Please tell me you were being sarcastic. I logged in just so I could respond to your comment. When I was a tech prior to pharm school, the pharmacists that I (and other techs) really liked were the one who helped out when it got busy. Of course we have our own stuffs to work on, but "the techs should suffer anyway" attitude will get you very far in the future.

 

[Dalteparin]

Regardless of whether it's STAT or not, it still needs to be a valid order that goes through the whole process.

Incorrect: Nurse shows up at window and demands a Levophed drip without giving a patient name, MR #, body weight, dose rate in mg/kg/min, concentration, diluent.
Correct: Nurse takes verbal order from doctor, enters it into the CPOE system on behalf of the doctor as a STAT (system won't allow order to go through without all information entered) , pharmacy verifies and compounds and delivers.

If it truly cannot wait to go through the process, open up the ******* crash cart and make it yourself.

And this is why none of the nurses at my hospital know where the pharmacy is.

In all seriousness, of course it needs to be a valid order. If the nurses at your hospital don't understand this, then there is something seriously wrong with nursing education and orientation.

 

[BidingMyTime]

There are positives and negatives to both retail and hospital. Some people are probably more suited for 1 or the other. Many pharmacists can happily work both (as shown by the number of pharmacists who work full-time and 1, then PRN/part-time at the other.)

Besides didn't BSBiology warn you about the pharmacist glut? It's not like you will have any job choice anyway, you will just have to take whatever job you are offered. Assuming you are one of the lucky few who actually gets offered a job. Bwwwwwwhahahahahahahaha.

 

[Doctor Hue]

HUH? Please tell me you were being sarcastic. I logged in just so I could respond to your comment. When I was a tech prior to pharm school, the pharmacists that I (and other techs) really liked were the one who helped out when it got busy. Of course we have our own stuffs to work on, but "the techs should suffer anyway" attitude will get you very far in the future.

I don't know, techs just rub me the wrong way. They don't even have to have any aspirations to become a pharmacist. So any random guy or girl can just throw on a white coat and stand behind in the pharmacy and work there. Doesn't make me feel as qualified for my profession if I plan to be working back there too but as a pharmacist.

Also, on the topic about nurses, I actually went on a date tonight with a nurse who just graduated and she seemed quite friendly. Don't know what all the fuss is about

 

[Dred Pirate]

I had interactions with nurses that were worse than any customer interactions I ever had. In some ways it is worse coming from a nurse. I always thought, "Shouldn't you know better? I wouldn't talk to a fellow human being like this, let alone a coworker." Of course it is different for each person but yeesh some nurses....

I rarely have bad interactions with RN's - I have some that make me say "how the hell did you graduate" but they usually make me feel real smart! Although the Rn's may likely say the same about us. And they always have a director as well.

hospital vs retail - not even clsoe
lunch breaks, more vaca, more professional satisfaction, and on and on

 

[owlegrad]

lunch breaks, more vaca, more professional satisfaction, and on and on

Oh no doubt on that one!

 

[BidingMyTime]

I
hospital vs retail - not even clsoe
lunch breaks, more vaca, more professional satisfaction, and on and on

Like I said, it depends on the person. I like not having lunch breaks, I would rather skip lunch and only be at work 8hrs/day, then have a lunch break and be at work 8.5 hours per day, that is 30 minutes wasted I could have been doing something productive at home. Yes, hospitals have more vacation, but retail pays a lot more--different individuals will prefer one over the other. Retail may not give as much vacation, but at least with chains, I found it much easier to get pretty much any day off that I wanted (as there was always someone in the district looking for extra hours), then with hospital, where there very few extra people who would be available to work. More professional satisfaction? I disagree, I have worked both and have found both environments to be professionally satisfying--pharmacy is like any job, how satisfied you are, depends on what you put into it. Hospitals tend to be more intellectually challenging, and that is certainly professionally satisfying. But retail gives opportunity to personal help people & make a real difference in their day, if not their lives, and that is also personally satisfying.

 

[owlegrad]

But retail gives opportunity to personal help people & make a real difference in their day, if not their lives, and that is also personally satisfying.

Well said.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

The difference is this person also has a director. Customers' actions have no consequence unless they break the law with a LOT of evidence left behind.

They have a union. They do whatever they want to pharmacists. I've experienced it first hand. Nothing, *nothing* is worse than an entitled nurse.

 

[gwarm01]

From what I've experienced, Pharmacists and Nurses have a Hatfield v McCoy relationship. Each has a distaste for the other. And I am not sure why.

I have a pretty positive relationship with most of my nurses, but I do make an effort to walk the floor every now and then and talk to them. I find it demystifies the pharmacy a bit, having a human face and name behind the voice on the phone. It also helps that I can see just how hectic and stressful their job can be. However, these are the ICU nurses. It's true that the one's working in less acute units seem to be the most bothersome. It's almost as if they don't even try to solve any problems themselves.

I don't know, techs just rub me the wrong way. They don't even have to have any aspirations to become a pharmacist. So any random guy or girl can just throw on a white coat and stand behind in the pharmacy and work there.

What? Where do you work where technicians are wearing white coats? Shouldn't that be a sign of a clinician? Forgive me if this is common and I've just never seen it.

 

[Jibby321]

I have a pretty positive relationship with most of my nurses, but I do make an effort to walk the floor every now and then and talk to them. I find it demystifies the pharmacy a bit, having a human face and name behind the voice on the phone. It also helps that I can see just how hectic and stressful their job can be. However, these are the ICU nurses. It's true that the one's working in less acute units seem to be the most bothersome. It's almost as if they don't even try to solve any problems themselves.


What? Where do you work where technicians are wearing white coats? Shouldn't that be a sign of a clinician? Forgive me if this is common and I've just never seen it.

Cvs? Do techs still wear white coats?

 

[Doctor Hue]

I have a pretty positive relationship with most of my nurses, but I do make an effort to walk the floor every now and then and talk to them. I find it demystifies the pharmacy a bit, having a human face and name behind the voice on the phone. It also helps that I can see just how hectic and stressful their job can be. However, these are the ICU nurses. It's true that the one's working in less acute units seem to be the most bothersome. It's almost as if they don't even try to solve any problems themselves.


What? Where do you work where technicians are wearing white coats? Shouldn't that be a sign of a clinician? Forgive me if this is common and I've just never seen it.

PA, the CVS I went to for my training had two techs working at the time. They looked like freshmen in college and had goofy personalities. I understand that techs are useful in the pharmacy but it just makes me feel less professional to be working among people like this. I don't mind goofy personalities but the person has to have it shown that they are well established (they have went to pharmacy school and have received a pharmD), otherwise I feel like they would be less intelligent than me. I would prefer to work with people who are as equally intelligent or more compared to me, that way I'd actually be able to learn and thrive. I wouldn't be able to thrive in an environment that inhabits goofy college freshmen.

 

[gwarm01]

Maybe CVS is contributing to people not knowing the difference between pharmacists and technicians. I did have a friend call me a "pharmacy clerk" once. That offended me more than it should have.

 

[owlegrad]

Cvs? Do techs still wear white coats?

Yup!

 

[Sparda29]

Of the 3 full-time jobs I've had as a pharmacist, I think I'm liking being the PIC at an independent pharmacy the best. My only boss is the owner who is a pharmacist so he understands any concerns I have when I voice them. Asides from some financial decisions, I have total control of the pharmacy. It is in a low-mid income neighborhood in the Bronx, the patients are very nice and appreciate our services.

Health Insurance - I'm going to get that from them in 2015.
Vacation - We didn't discuss, but in a few months I'm going to request something in writing for at least 3 weeks paid vacation and unpaid vacations on top of that. We have a lot of pharmacists on call who can fill in when necessary.
Profit Sharing - We didn't discuss but when the business starts to take off, I'm going to discuss it.

 

[zelman]

They have a union. They do whatever they want to pharmacists. I've experienced it first hand. Nothing, *nothing* is worse than an entitled nurse.

Let me know when a nurse urinates/defecates in your workspace with no consequence.

 

[trailerpark]

When I did a IPPE at CVS in PA every last person wore a white coat. I also did a rotation at a VA and the nutritionist wore a white coat and the only thing she would ever contribute to the interdisciplinary meetings where things like, "I gave him some boost and he said it tasted good", "he likes peanut butter sandwiches, imma give him more", "he eats 10 nutty buttys per day". Honestly is becoming a nutritionist like an online course similar to personal trainer?

Also, those interdisciplinary meetings at the VA are a total joke. The only people that would need to be there is the clinical pharmacist if she wanted to make a med change and the nurse to tell the doctor if he meets eligibility for whatever and maybe the social worker to arrange discharge if applicable. Instead, we would have about 20 people packed into a small room with everyone saying "no concerns" until we got to the doctor who would just explain everything to everyone else...

Yet everyone wants to go to pharmacy school so they can "go on rounds!" and be clinical! This is the crap I always heard in school, what a JOKE. Hey, if you want to go on rounds during a rotation WHY NOT GO TO MEDICAL SCHOOL AND YOU HAVE A 100% CHANCE TO GO ROUND AND ROUND ALL THIRD AND FOURTH YEAR.

 

[BidingMyTime]

They have a union. They do whatever they want to pharmacists. I've experienced it first hand. Nothing, *nothing* is worse than an entitled nurse.

"Politics" and gossip were far worse at the hospitals I've worked at, then at any of the retail I've worked at. Yes, there are bad customers who complain to corporate, but one doesn't have to spend their entire workshift with them, day after day, after day. The politics & gossip, I feel, is the worst part of working hospital (and conversely, not having to deal with that anywhere near the level of hospital politics & gossip, is one of the best parts of working retail.)

 

[StephenCurry]

I love the hospital I'm interning at. Its been an awesome two years and i look forward to another great 2 years. It's mainly due to the pharmacy staff, the RNs i work with, and the MD's. One anesthesiologist even went out of her way to get me an consultation with a specialist for no charge. I just hope I can get a hospital job somewhere, or anywhere, as a pharmacist when i graduate.

 

[Nano1971]

Interesting enough to read all the comments with your different experiences from both settings (retail and Hospital settings)
Trying to see my self as future pharmacist how and where Iam gonna fit and try my best to pursue a career that would define me as aspiring pharmacist as I wish to be. Seriously learning alot from your experiences guys and how to survive in such hectic and challenging world to put our services where it is most needed.BTW still looking for a job for more than 5 months now and not yet lost hope !

 

[Sparda29]

"Politics" and gossip were far worse at the hospitals I've worked at, then at any of the retail I've worked at. Yes, there are bad customers who complain to corporate, but one doesn't have to spend their entire workshift with them, day after day, after day. The politics & gossip, I feel, is the worst part of working hospital (and conversely, not having to deal with that anywhere near the level of hospital politics & gossip, is one of the best parts of working retail.)

I always had to deal with pharmacists bitching about other pharmacists. Most of the time I just nod and pretend to be reading something on the computer. It was especially bad with female pharmacists about other female pharmacists.

"Why is X always in the break room putting on make up? She's married with kids, who is she trying to impress."

When it was a guys night (me, other pharmacist, and the pharm tech all being guys), it would be smooth sailing. The gossip would be pretty much playing "****, marry, kill", choices being the female pharmacists and nurses that we know.

 

[Dred Pirate]

Like I said, it depends on the person. I like not having lunch breaks, I would rather skip lunch and only be at work 8hrs/day, then have a lunch break and be at work 8.5 hours per day, that is 30 minutes wasted I could have been doing something productive at home. Yes, hospitals have more vacation, but retail pays a lot more--different individuals will prefer one over the other. Retail may not give as much vacation, but at least with chains, I found it much easier to get pretty much any day off that I wanted (as there was always someone in the district looking for extra hours), then with hospital, where there very few extra people who would be available to work. More professional satisfaction? I disagree, I have worked both and have found both environments to be professionally satisfying--pharmacy is like any job, how satisfied you are, depends on what you put into it. Hospitals tend to be more intellectually challenging, and that is certainly professionally satisfying. But retail gives opportunity to personal help people & make a real difference in their day, if not their lives, and that is also personally satisfying.

more power to you - I am glad there are people who like retail, or else it would depress our hospital salaries even more - although I make nearly the same as retail people around here.

If nobody wanted to work retail, would make the difference even more

 

[Dred Pirate]

I always had to deal with pharmacists bitching about other pharmacists. Most of the time I just nod and pretend to be reading something on the computer. It was especially bad with female pharmacists about other female pharmacists.

"Why is X always in the break room putting on make up? She's married with kids, who is she trying to impress."

When it was a guys night (me, other pharmacist, and the pharm tech all being guys), it would be smooth sailing. The gossip would be pretty much playing "****, marry, kill", choices being the female pharmacists and nurses that we know.

that is so true - I love it when it is gues night - 5 guys and usually one lonely female. The female always says how much smoother things go when it is all dudes

 

[xiphoid2010]

that is so true - I love it when it is gues night - 5 guys and usually one lonely female. The female always says how much smoother things go when it is all dudes

Man, that just doesn't sound right. That just conjures up all sort of unwanted mental imageries.

 

[CynicalIntern]

Doctor Hue threads never disappoint.

Doctor Hue prefers not to work with coworkers who haven't reached his level of professional maturity and education. Doctor Hue will be thrilled when CVS announces tech budgets have been slashed and he no longer has to worry about these "goofy college freshman" ruining the professionalism of his quiet sanctity. It will just be you, the patient, and FOUR PHARMACY CALLS.

Just wait until you start answering to your store management who likely received an associate's degree at their junior college.

 

[owlegrad]

Let me know when a nurse urinates/defecates in your workspace with no consequence.

I hope this is hyperbole. I would call 911.

 

[Sparda29]

that is so true - I love it when it is gues night - 5 guys and usually one lonely female. The female always says how much smoother things go when it is all dudes

Defintely. There was one part-time pharmacist I worked with at my first hospital who would only take evening shifts that she knew that I'd be working or the other dude would be working. Or day shifts when there were at least 2 guys there.

 

[zelman]

I hope this is hyperbole. I would call 911.

I kid you not. Ask any pharmacist in retail over 20 years. They all have an anecdote to this effect.

 

[Newpharmacist]

Like I said, it depends on the person. I like not having lunch breaks, I would rather skip lunch and only be at work 8hrs/day, then have a lunch break and be at work 8.5 hours per day, that is 30 minutes wasted I could have been doing something productive at home. Yes, hospitals have more vacation, but retail pays a lot more--different individuals will prefer one over the other.

Isn't the lunch break included your 8hr shift? Why do you have to work half hr extra??

 

[Dred Pirate]

Isn't the lunch break included your 8hr shift? Why do you have to work half hr extra??

most people do not get paid lunches - only our overnight RPh's. We are schedule 8-4:30 (or whatever) take a 45 - 60 min lunch, but get paid for 8

 

[Dred Pirate]

Man, that just doesn't sound right. That just conjures up all sort of unwanted mental imageries.

no XXX pharmacy here

 

[Sparda29]

most people do not get paid lunches - only our overnight RPh's. We are schedule 8-4:30 (or whatever) take a 45 - 60 min lunch, but get paid for 8

That's weird. Let's say I work 8am-4pm. I get a 1 hr break at either 12pm or 1230pm and then I'm out at 4. I get paid 7.25 hrs.

 

[owlegrad]

Nice thing about not getting a lunch break. I work 14 hours and get paid for 14 hours.

 

[Newpharmacist]

most people do not get paid lunches - only our overnight RPh's. We are schedule 8-4:30 (or whatever) take a 45 - 60 min lunch, but get paid for 8

If you are taking a full hr lunch break, and then getting paid for 8 hrs (your scheduled shift 8.5), is like getting a paid half hr lunch.
At our hospital even techs get a half hr paid lunch, the other half hr is unpaid.

 

[Dred Pirate]

That's weird. Let's say I work 8am-4pm. I get a 1 hwork done eak at either 12pm or 1230pm and then I'm out at 4. I get paid 7.25 hrs.

We have 30 min unpaid plus officially 15 min unpaid but we are professional and figure if we get our work done who cares about 15 to 30 min extra

 

[Newpharmacist]

We have 30 min unpaid plus officially 15 min unpaid but we are professional and figure if we get our work done who cares about 15 to 30 min extra

Not really.In retail particularly hourly Rphs , work ends when the shift ends , and for any extra minute worked , you get paid!

 

[Dred Pirate]

Not really.In retail particularly hourly Rphs , work ends when the shift ends , and for any extra minute worked , you get paid!

do you clock in and out? I have moonlighted retail and have never clocked in or out - if my store opens at 8 and closes at 4 - I get 8 hours regardless if I get their 15 minutes early and leave 30 minutes late.

 

[zelman]

Not really.In retail particularly hourly Rphs , work ends when the shift ends , and for any extra minute worked , you get paid!

You've only worked in California, eh?