P4's .... What offers of employment are you seeing?

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GaPharmGirl09

GaPharmGirl09

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Hi P4's,

It's time to pack the books away soon and get a REAL job! I've heard of some people beginning to get job offers from their current (intern) employers. What are some things to consider when making a counter offer?

I've heard that most aren't increasing the pay or bonus pay but are giving more vacation time from the get-go.

What should we be asking for?
 
GaPharmGirl09 said:
Hi P4's,

It's time to pack the books away soon and get a REAL job! I've heard of some people beginning to get job offers from their current (intern) employers. What are some things to consider when making a counter offer?

I've heard that most aren't increasing the pay or bonus pay but are giving more vacation time from the get-go.

What should we be asking for?
Click to expand...

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to consider is how is your area's market. If it is strong, milk it for all you can. If it is weak, it is going to be hard to negotiate. Compare that market to how many people are signing with that company that year.

Second, the pay is not the most important thing you should look at. All retail companies varies by a few dollars. After taxes, that is nothing. You should be looking at 401k match, store placement (high versus low volume), bonuses, how the district manager is like, etc.

After considering all of that, look at your experiences and how good you are. Theres got to be a reason for them to give you more pay. Tell this to your DM "Hey. . ________, I am worth more because I have more experience, I am fast, I am accurate, I can prioritize, I can increase your store's "numbers such as customer satisfaction, generic fill rate, etc".

best of luck!
 
Got offered $57.25/hr...not bad considering the last job I had was $8.50/hr
 
GaPharmGirl09 said:
Hi P4's,

It's time to pack the books away soon and get a REAL job! I've heard of some people beginning to get job offers from their current (intern) employers. What are some things to consider when making a counter offer?

I've heard that most aren't increasing the pay or bonus pay but are giving more vacation time from the get-go.

What should we be asking for?
Click to expand...

A fairly well known Midwest hospital is offering $ 92,700 for staff/clinical pharmacist position. I set my goal for $100,000, but, honestly, I don't think I will be able to find that kind of money for hospital pharmacist position.
 
konkan said:
A fairly well known Midwest hospital is offering $ 92,700 for staff/clinical pharmacist position. I set my goal for $100,000, but, honestly, I don't think I will be able to find that kind of money for hospital pharmacist position.
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depends on the area. I know of one outside my area offering 104K for hosp.
 
I have 15 months of retail where I was making $53 per hour. I received a hospital offer at $48 per hour plus shift differential ($3 extra nights, $1 extra weekends). There's not enough difference in pay to become a retail pharmacist. Stay away. It will make you mean and bitter.
 
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dgroulx said:
I have 15 months of retail where I was making $53 per hour. I received a hospital offer at $48 per hour plus shift differential ($3 extra nights, $1 extra weekends). There's not enough difference in pay to become a retail pharmacist. Stay away. It will make you mean and bitter.
Click to expand...

seriously kids, read this.

It wasn't all that long ago that this poster was 100% ok with being a retail pharmacist (not picking on you!)
 
dgroulx said:
I have 15 months of retail where I was making $53 per hour. I received a hospital offer at $48 per hour plus shift differential ($3 extra nights, $1 extra weekends). There's not enough difference in pay to become a retail pharmacist. Stay away. It will make you mean and bitter.
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I've been saying this all along every chance I get...

In fact, I may have said this to dgroulx while she was in school.... Actually, I know I said this to her and the rest of the board.
 
njac said:
seriously kids, read this.

It wasn't all that long ago that this poster was 100% ok with being a retail pharmacist (not picking on you!)
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You're still a kid.. :meanie:
 
njac said:
seriously kids, read this.

It wasn't all that long ago that this poster was 100% ok with being a retail pharmacist (not picking on you!)
Click to expand...
Yep. I work retail every other Saturday, and I do like it OK. But every time I think I could switch to retail, I get a customer from hell (like one deranged old woman yesterday) and realize that doing it full-time would quickly become a nightmare.

On the other hand, I am pretty sure I would have already jumped off a bridge if I had to work for a hospital. The two weeks of traditional institutional pharmacy I HAD to do in order to graduate were two of the most miserable weeks of my life. Some of the clinical positions on the teams are more interesting, but they are hard to get right out of school.

I work for industry and I am pretty happy with it, as are most other pharmacists I know at my company. I do realize this is also not for everyone. All people are different... But if I weren't working for industry, I would have gone into managed care. They are so deliciously evil.

And if I did not need health insurance and other benefits, I would rather work two or three part-time jobs, rather than one full-time. That would keep me enthusiastic about each piece and help avoid burn-out. 🙂
 
Hels2007 said:
Yep. I work retail every other Saturday, and I do like it OK. But every time I think I could switch to retail, I get a customer from hell (like one deranged old woman yesterday) and realize that doing it full-time would quickly become a nightmare.

On the other hand, I am pretty sure I would have already jumped off a bridge if I had to work for a hospital. The two weeks of traditional institutional pharmacy I HAD to do in order to graduate were two of the most miserable weeks of my life. Some of the clinical positions on the teams are more interesting, but they are hard to get right out of school.

I work for industry and I am pretty happy with it, as are most other pharmacists I know at my company. I do realize this is also not for everyone. All people are different... But if I weren't working for industry, I would have gone into managed care. They are so deliciously evil.

And if I did not need health insurance and other benefits, I would rather work two or three part-time jobs, rather than one full-time. That would keep me enthusiastic about each piece and help avoid burn-out. 🙂
Click to expand...

J/w, what are you doing in the industry? Drug info?
 
bacillus1 said:
J/w, what are you doing in the industry? Drug info?
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Business Analytics. I always found drug info to be extremely boring, though in industry it is a bit different from hospital. Still, the only drug info I would consider doing would be at the Poison Control Center. Speaking of which, that's another great option, though there are few jobs, and you have to go through rigorous certification process.

Another wonderful option would be to join Indian Health Service, you can do so as a civillian or by joining the PHS. That's what I would have done, if I didn't have incompatible long-term goals... 🙂
 
UNMorBUST said:
Agreed in my area some hospitals are starting pharmacist with 51.23 hr. which i believe is 106.5k a year.
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$111,500 here for rural hospital, plus pay for call, so it ends up being more than that.
$116,500 for retail

Totally not worth the difference. I also work retail on occasion (saving up for wedding and honeymoon) and it reminds me why I left. I can easily make that 5K picking up shifts here and there and it's good to keep current with what's going on in retail.
 
spacecowgirl said:
$111,500 here for rural hospital, plus pay for call, so it ends up being more than that.
$116,500 for retail

Totally not worth the difference. I also work retail on occasion (saving up for wedding and honeymoon) and it reminds me why I left. I can easily make that 5K picking up shifts here and there and it's good to keep current with what's going on in retail.
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What state is that?
 
I hear places in southern Delaware pay well, since there's no pharmacy school around.
There's this one hosp. that will give you $6000 scholarship for every year you sign your life away to them. For example, if you tell them at the beginning of P1 that you'll work for them once you graduate, that's $24k and you have to work for them for 4 years. Not worth it, but I'm sure some people do it.
 
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Graduating in 95, many of us didn't have any offers. $60,000 per year was the magic salary yet I couldn't even get on with any retail chains..they wouldn't even look at me because I had no retail experience. Of course hospital jobs were even tougher to get. with 150 graduating in my class, 50 of us opted for residency because there were no jobs.

One girl went the Navy route and she was recognized at the graduation by one of the profs who was in the reserves. The prof was an a-hole and I called him an a-hole in his office with a bunch of students around.. I didn't get in trouble for it..amazing. Anyways, he proudly told the rest of my class "eat your heart out, she has a job."
Then in 96, all hell broke loose and Wags decided to put a retail joint on every corner of the US. This was not only an effort to increase RX business, it was a real estate venture to buy up those old corner lot gas stations and turn them into pharmacies.

Then jobs became plentiful.

We went into pharmacy without knowing there will be jobs with sign on bonuses.

Things can change in a heart beat. Be prepared.
 
just wondering, do most people get retail and hospital offers or does anyone go into industry?

what about other routes such as nuclear pharmacy or do p4 not consider this.
 
mass said:
just wondering, do most people get retail and hospital offers or does anyone go into industry?

what about other routes such as nuclear pharmacy or do p4 not consider this.
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my school has one of the only nuclear programs so the nuclear pharmacies are at all of our career fairs. I think for industry and nuclear you need to look - they won't be thrown at you like the retail offers are.

At what point do you start applying for jobs? If you see something you like now, is it kosher to send in an application?
 
njac said:
At what point do you start applying for jobs? If you see something you like now, is it kosher to send in an application?
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I 2nd this question.

I guess you can contact whoever you need to contact and ask. Would they be like get your license first then contact me again?
 
stevephhs016 said:
I 2nd this question.

I guess you can contact whoever you need to contact and ask. Would they be like get your license first then contact me again?
Click to expand...

I doubt it, because I see every May/June/July graduate interns working all over the place. You get paid more than a regular intern but you aren't a RPh yet
 
I said all I gotta say about that..
 
njac said:
my school has one of the only nuclear programs so the nuclear pharmacies are at all of our career fairs. I think for industry and nuclear you need to look - they won't be thrown at you like the retail offers are.

At what point do you start applying for jobs? If you see something you like now, is it kosher to send in an application?
Click to expand...
njac i know you go to unm. Just wondering, whan the nuclear phamacy companies come for career fairs, is there a strong presence of nuclear pharmacies in NM?
 
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ItsOverZyvox said:
I said all I gotta say about that..
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Right, but say someone is wanting to move to another state after graduation. At what point in your 4th year is it kosher to start applying for jobs in your new location?

Can you start the first of the year, should you wait until March, or even May?
 
UNMorBUST said:
njac i know you go to unm. Just wondering, whan the nuclear phamacy companies come for career fairs, is there a strong presence of nuclear pharmacies in NM?
Click to expand...

The companies from the ones in NM do come as well - but I believe there are only 2, both in ABQ. Obviously most people who do nuclear go out of state - NM isn't nearly populous (or spend enough $$$$ on medical diagnostics) enough to support more than what we have.

Don't quote me on that though. The people directly involved with the nuclear program are extremely nice and helpful, I'd ask them.
 
njac said:
Right, but say someone is wanting to move to another state after graduation. At what point in your 4th year is it kosher to start applying for jobs in your new location?

Can you start the first of the year, should you wait until March, or even May?
Click to expand...


Aight.. This is an instance where I recommend working with a head hunter..especially if you're looking to move out of state. They will try to get you the best moving package and sign on etc. Now..they don't like you to use more than 1 recruiter.. but let me know what areas of the country you're interested in.

Downside of working with a head hunter is that they won't find you a hospital who's not willing to work with a head hunter.. like me when I was hiring. They alway try to shoot for 25% commission...and I used to offer straight $10,000 take it or leave it. They usually took the $10,000 after bitchin and groaning about how unprescedented it was to work below 15%.. right kiss my ass too.

Heck..if you come work for us...I get a referral bonus! Yay.. I can get another lens!👍
 
Oh.. start looking for a recruiter now.
 
I have new CV fodder. I was just asked to "volunteer" for the Special Olympics and ride their horses for them.
 
njac said:
I have new CV fodder. I was just asked to "volunteer" for the Special Olympics and ride their horses for them.
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Horses have their own special olympics?
 
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Just wondering, as anyone seen recruiters from the military (army, navy, air force)? If so, what were the contracts and terms like?
 
njac said:
The companies from the ones in NM do come as well - but I believe there are only 2, both in ABQ. Obviously most people who do nuclear go out of state - NM isn't nearly populous (or spend enough $$$$ on medical diagnostics) enough to support more than what we have.

Don't quote me on that though. The people directly involved with the nuclear program are extremely nice and helpful, I'd ask them.
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Thanks Njac
 
I am a 3rd year, but took a year and a half off of school (mega-personal stuff going on) so I'm more than ready to get out and get working.

But I feel stuck. I do NOT want to do a residency. I did want to before, but I just don't have it left in me anymore. I don't want to do the work to apply and then do the work involved with BEING a resident. I don't want an extra year of deferring my loans and getting paid half of what I'd make as a pharmacist. I'm nearly 30...I want to get on with it already!

I know that I do not want to work in 'traditional' hospital or 'traditional' retail pharmacy. I like retail a lot...except for coupons, 'corporate' crap, drive-thrus, promise times, and quotas. I don't like the McDonaldization of pharmacies at all. I hate that someone with 6-8+ years of undergrad/professional education is treated by DMs like a Rx-checking machine. All that matters are numbers and volumes...Not customer satisfaction or health outcomes.

I am hoping to find work in a smaller, more corporately responsible chain or at an independent pharmacy. Or possibly a pharmacy/medical equipment chain like Medicine Shoppe.

My dream pharmacy would have...

*NO drive thru
*Low to medium volume
*Patient counseling emphasis
*NO coupons!
*No quotas
*Loyal customer base
*NO selling of alcohol or cigarettes

I would honestly accept work in a setting like this for 70K a year. I'd rather have less money than to be pulling my hair out over a few extra thousand.

It seems like a lot of people on here are terribly money focused and obsessing over sign-on bonuses, 401Ks, etc. Some are already planning to work over-time or even accept management positions right out of school just to make some extra bucks. A pharmacist makes MORE THAN ENOUGH. I personally have even given thought to eventually working part-time....some pharmacies offer benefits to part-time employees....and 40K+ is PLENTY for a single person like me to live off of. For me, lifestyle trumps money...every time! I'd rather have more time OFF work and a better time AT work than a full bank account, an ulcer, and an anxiety disorder.
 
inquirer89 said:
Just wondering, as anyone seen recruiters from the military (army, navy, air force)? If so, what were the contracts and terms like?
Click to expand...
I'm not a P4 but the navy came and spoke to our class, and they offer $90,000(paid in terms of like $1,800 a month) to commit to them for 5 years. They were also various incentives if you like the military lifestyle but it didn't appeal to me much so I was slightly disinterested.
 
Prepharm1214 said:
I'm not a P4 but the navy came and spoke to our class, and they offer $90,000(paid in terms of like $1,800 a month) to commit to them for 5 years. They were also various incentives if you like the military lifestyle but it didn't appeal to me much so I was slightly disinterested.
Click to expand...
The military life is definatly not for me.
 
i love retail, ive worked retail for all my intern hours, and i cant see working in any other setting....hospitals suck, with the smelly floors, pharmacy in the rotten basements, nasty nurses, etc.....people think retail customers are bad, hospital nurses are just as if not worse than those customers. and the thing with the customer is they come in and leave, but the nurse is there for a 8 hours shift just like you are

i love retail for the pt contact i get, which from my 4 hospital rotations, ive seen hardly any from the pharmacists in the hopistal

just my 2 cents
 
Not meaning to hijack the thread here, but I was wondering if there are many options working in veterinary hospitals for you guys? Our veterinary teaching hospital has 2 pharmacists - they both spent a few years in (human) retail before switching over to come work at the university. They seem to love the job. Are there many jobs in this field? How competitive is it?
 
frozen_canadian said:
Not meaning to hijack the thread here, but I was wondering if there are many options working in veterinary hospitals for you guys? Our veterinary teaching hospital has 2 pharmacists - they both spent a few years in (human) retail before switching over to come work at the university. They seem to love the job. Are there many jobs in this field? How competitive is it?
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you know, I'm not totally sure. I originally considered veterinary pharmacy, or teaching pharmacology at a vet school, but I decided to go with a more portable specialty.

Lord knows my own dog is on 5 medications at the moment and I've used tons of other stuff on the horses.
 
CVS offered me:

$115,*** in Montgomery County Maryland
$121,*** in the Baltimore area
$117,*** in the Northern Virginia area
$126,*** in North Carolina (1.5 hours south of Raleigh)
 
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