APPE in Honolulu, Hawaii

[abeautifulday]

Hi Guys,

I am a P2 in Oregon state and considering doing my APPE in Honolulu, Hawaii. I am not sure if it is worth it. The reason I want to that because I like to live in warm/hot weather and experiences myself living there. I would have to pay the same tuition and the only differences is that I have to consider about living situation there which is more expensive. Have anybody done that wanna share experiences with me? Thanks

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[CetiAlphaFive]

Are you wanting to work there after graduation?

APPE is your best chance of impressing potential employers / networking in the area where you'll want to be working.

 

[abeautifulday]

I am working for Walgreens right now as a pharmacy intern. The thing I will not live there after graduation and I've been considered about networking too.

 

[deleted820760]

I am working for Walgreens right now as a pharmacy intern. The thing I will not live there after graduation and I've been considered about networking too.

You should do it. I mean, it's Hawaii. Do you really think you would regret having a new experience like that?

 

[abeautifulday]

I am thinking about, but I try to see people's opinion or their experiences living in Hawaii. I don't know anyone living there.

 

[zelman]

I am thinking about, but I try to see people's opinion or their experiences living in Hawaii. I don't know anyone living there.

I moved there. Lived in Honolulu for a few months and applied to every pharmacist position in Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. It took a few months until I could get any job and it ended up being on the Big Island. I was coming from 17 years retail experience, a year as an MSL/CRA and 1.5 years as a clinical pharmacist (with a BCPS). Hawaii and Massachusetts have the lowest pharmacist demand.

 

[PharmDBro2017]

Lived in Oahu (Kailua) for several years, Honolulu is beautiful but the cost of living in Hawaii (food and housing) can a huge burden... just forewarning.

Agreed about APPE being your chance to get your foot in the door... that's an expensive APPE, but if it's your dream to live in HI then go for it. Only got one chance to live and pursue your goals.

 

[Rakeless-rph]

I moved there. Lived in Honolulu for a few months and applied to every pharmacist position in Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. It took a few months until I could get any job and it ended up being on the Big Island. I was coming from 17 years retail experience, a year as an MSL/CRA and 1.5 years as a clinical pharmacist (with a BCPS). Hawaii and Massachusetts have the lowest pharmacist demand.

 

[Rakeless-rph]

I moved there. Lived in Honolulu for a few months and applied to every pharmacist position in Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. It took a few months until I could get any job and it ended up being on the Big Island. I was coming from 17 years retail experience, a year as an MSL/CRA and 1.5 years as a clinical pharmacist (with a BCPS). Hawaii and Massachusetts have the lowest pharmacist demand.

Hi, Just wondering thinking about moving to Hawaii, job market seems pretty saturated/barely any. Worked mostly in retail, any thoughts ?

 

[zelman]

Hi, Just wondering thinking about moving to Hawaii, job market seems pretty saturated/barely any. Worked mostly in retail, any thoughts ?

It’s a very bad market with a high cost of living.

 

[PharmDBro2017]

It’s a very bad market with a high cost of living.

You still working on the Big Island brah?


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[zelman]

You still working on the Big Island brah?


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Yeah. I’m 24hrs/week retail plus got my taxi license to pick up extra cash on my days off. Living the dream.

 

[CrayonRX]

I did 3/8 of my APPEs on Oahu (I grew up there but went to an out of state RX school). I think if you want to or think you might want to live there, it would be a valuable experience, if you can afford it. You'll also have an opportunity to form relationships. That's probably the most valuable part. The overall market there is over-saturated. Definitely Oahu, probably a little better on the neighbor islands. Hawaii is also a really expensive place to live. While the COL may not be as high as cities like SF, San Jose, or NYC...as a state, Hawaii is frequently cited as one of the most expensive. Generally, pay is lower and cost of living high. Clinical pharmacy isn't as progressive. I'd say start now with IPPEs, if possible, to begin to form some of those relationships.

 

[samven582]

I moved there. Lived in Honolulu for a few months and applied to every pharmacist position in Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. It took a few months until I could get any job and it ended up being on the Big Island. I was coming from 17 years retail experience, a year as an MSL/CRA and 1.5 years as a clinical pharmacist (with a BCPS). Hawaii and Massachusetts have the lowest pharmacist demand.

how did you get a msl job with retail experience

 

[PharmtoCS]

If you’re choosing Hawaii solely for them warm weather then I would just choose one of the southern states for the cheaper cost of living and better opportunities. Your APPEs should be an opportunity to network and not to take a vacation.

 

[zelman]

how did you get a msl job with retail experience

Worked for a shady company. But the MS and BCPS helped.

 

[flip33]

12 years ago I visited the Big Island. Met a Target pharmacist who looked like a zombie. He said he felt trapped on the island after the novelty wore off.

I'd go do it for a few years if I could. Hawaii is awesome!

Also, I remember this cool little independent pharmacy up the mountain by Kealakekua that was also a fish store that stunk.

 

[zelman]

12 years ago I visited the Big Island. Met a Target pharmacist who looked like a zombie. He said he felt trapped on the island after the novelty wore off.

I'd go do it for a few years if I could. Hawaii is awesome!

Also, I remember this cool little independent pharmacy up the mountain by Kealakekua that was also a fish store that stunk.

Oshima’s shut down. The only independent Kona side that hasn’t closed or became a CVS/Long’s is a compounding-only pharmacy, so I can’t imagine they do much business.