Are there any HAPPY pharmcists?

[firework]

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People on this forum are so miserable. Started to think, do all pharmacists hate their job to death, or this forum happens to attract a bunch of mentally sick pharmacists?

I am doing my internship at a small independent pharmacy. My preceptor is nice, always sensitive to other people's feelings and always encouragous. The techs are competent. I don't know if it's because I have them cover me, I don't feel that stressed as you people complain.

I am still looking forward to being a licensed pharmacist. I don't regret so far, because, A, the pay is good, even given the predicted job saturation, still better than being, say, a scientist. B, I don't mind repeating the same tasks day in and day out, I don't feel bored when most other people do.

Am I too navie here?

My only worry is, I am a little overweighted, the consequence: my feet are working really hard. Don't know the long term consequence on the overall health state. I am doing my best on eating healthy.

 

[CVSstinks]

I think you are being naive. If you work in retail you will understand. Working for an independent is a little different from working for a chain... Most pharmacists (in sheer numbers) work in a community retail setting.

 

[DYSF777]

Yes, they are just too busy enjoying their life to post on this site.

 

[SHC1984]

People here aren't really complaining about the job situations anymore...I think the negativity all comes from the LACK OF JOBS. And you are VERY NAIVE, if you think getting a job in pharmacy will be easy when you graduate. Graduating with 100K loan and no job will make anyone unhappy.

 

[tungsten87]

i think i met one once... wait, nope.

 

[FredDurst]

People here aren't really complaining about the job situations anymore...I think the negativity all comes from the LACK OF JOBS. And you are VERY NAIVE, if you think getting a job in pharmacy will be easy when you graduate. Graduating with 100K loan and no job will make anyone unhappy.

I'm starting to doubt whether there is even a real person behind this username. It's like someone wrote some code that posts the same response in a slightly different way in every single thread.

 

[J ROD]

I like both my jobs in LTC and hospital.....

Those that hate theirs jobs are usually the retail chain.....

I even liked independent retail....but I still like what I do better...

Pharmacy offers many options in terms of different jobs.

So, use your rotations well and find what you like and network!!

 

[crazybob]

Yes, they are just too busy enjoying their life to post on this site.

👍

People here aren't really complaining about the job situations anymore...I think the negativity all comes from the LACK OF JOBS. And you are VERY NAIVE, if you think getting a job in pharmacy will be easy when you graduate. Graduating with 100K loan and no job will make anyone unhappy.

Lack of jobs in the areas that SHC is looking. Come to my state and I can show you places that are hiring.

I bet SHC wouldn't want to work at the places I talk about, because they aren't perfect for her.

By happy, do you mean without any complaints and showing up to work everyday with a good mood?

Or do you mean ones who are ok with their jobs and don't feel sad and they're not on antidepressants?

 

[tungsten87]

I'm starting to doubt whether there is even a real person behind this username. It's like someone wrote some code that posts the same response in a slightly different way in every single thread.

haha I've always thought that too. and rx4life2004 as well until recently (and before that PA vs physicians thread)

 

[WVUPharm2007]

I'm happy as hell.

Mostly because "career" is about #57 on my list of things that make me satisfied about my life.

Am I happy about my career? Right now, obviously, no...but whatever...WVU is undefeated...pizza is still delicious...Dave and Buster's is still open...so much more to life than work...

 

[SHC1984]

I'm starting to doubt whether there is even a real person behind this username. It's like someone wrote some code that posts the same response in a slightly different way in every single thread.

I am as real as can be! 🙂

1) many people (except the naive ones) are saying the same thing I am. There are tons of people that talk about the surplus way more than I do on here. I am hardly on SDN cuz pharmacokinetics is keeping me quite busy.

2) I guess it is easier/makes you feel better to just pretend that all the people that talk about the surplus to be fake people then to actually ADMIT that what we are saying is a FACT. But yeah...do whatever makes you sleep better at night.

 

[spacecowgirl]

I love my job! And I'm not just saying that.

 

[IrishHammer]

People on this forum are so miserable. Started to think, do all pharmacists hate their job to death, or this forum happens to attract a bunch of mentally sick pharmacists?

I am doing my internship at a small independent pharmacy. My preceptor is nice, always sensitive to other people's feelings and always encouragous. The techs are competent. I don't know if it's because I have them cover me, I don't feel that stressed as you people complain.

I am still looking forward to being a licensed pharmacist. I don't regret so far, because, A, the pay is good, even given the predicted job saturation, still better than being, say, a scientist. B, I don't mind repeating the same tasks day in and day out, I don't feel bored when most other people do.

Am I too navie here?

My only worry is, I am a little overweighted, the consequence: my feet are working really hard. Don't know the long term consequence on the overall health state. I am doing my best on eating healthy.

My current IPPE preceptor has been at her store for over a decade now, and despite a few complaints about management, is happy with her job. So yes, there are pharmacists out there who are actually happy.

As far as the overweight thing, hit the gym when you can, modify your diet to include lean proteins and complex carbohydrates, and invest in some good gel inserts for your shoes.

 

[owlegrad]

I am as real as can be! 🙂

1) many people (except the naive ones) are saying the same thing I am. There are tons of people that talk about the surplus way more than I do on here. I am hardly on SDN cuz pharmacokinetics is keeping me quite busy.

2) I guess it is easier/makes you feel better to just pretend that all the people that talk about the surplus to be fake people then to actually ADMIT that what we are saying is a FACT. But yeah...do whatever makes you sleep better at night.

Your post cracked me up. In the first line you indicate that you are as real as <nothing?> can be. Then you suggest that almost the only reason someone can disagree with you is because they are naive. Then you let us know that the surplus is a FACT, which I believe is a misuse of the word. Unless you have data to back that claim it is an opinion not a FACT.

Pharmacokinetics ain't so bad yet, but pharmacology is kicking my butt. 👎

 

[owlegrad]

My current IPPE preceptor has been at her store for over a decade now, and despite a few complaints about management, is happy with her job. So yes, there are pharmacists out there who are actually happy.

As far as the overweight thing, hit the gym when you can, modify your diet to include lean proteins and complex carbohydrates, and invest in some good gel inserts for your shoes.

I wondered what being overweighted meant. I thought it meant that his burden was to heavy, which I didn't really get.

Your take makes allot more sense.

 

[IrishHammer]

Your post cracked me up. In the first line you indicate that you are as real as <nothing?> can be. Then you suggest that almost the only reason someone can disagree with you is because they are naive. Then you let us know that the surplus is a FACT, which I believe is a misuse of the word. Unless you have data to back that claim it is an opinion not a FACT.

Oh, this is gonna get good. I wonder how many posts it will take this time before someone takes the gloves off.

I wondered what being overweighted meant. I thought it meant that his burden was to heavy, which I didn't really get.

Your take makes allot more sense.

It's just a hunch. But if he's talking about eating healthy and concerns about his feet working harder, I'm guessing he was referring to his weight.

 

[MountainPharmD]

Yes,there are many HAPPY pharmacists...they just happen to be RETIRED.

 

[owlegrad]

Oh, this is gonna get good. I wonder how many posts it will take this time before someone takes the gloves off.



It's just a hunch. But if he's talking about eating healthy and concerns about his feet working harder, I'm guessing he was referring to his weight.

Nah, it ain't like that, I just found her post humorous, that's all. Move along, no show here folks...

 

[ForgetMeNot]

I'm very happy with my job. I never hated my retail job, but I knew it wasn't for me long term.

 

[Doctor M]

People on this forum are so miserable. Started to think, do all pharmacists hate their job to death, or this forum happens to attract a bunch of mentally sick pharmacists?

I am doing my internship at a small independent pharmacy. My preceptor is nice, always sensitive to other people's feelings and always encouragous. The techs are competent. I don't know if it's because I have them cover me, I don't feel that stressed as you people complain.

I am still looking forward to being a licensed pharmacist. I don't regret so far, because, A, the pay is good, even given the predicted job saturation, still better than being, say, a scientist. B, I don't mind repeating the same tasks day in and day out, I don't feel bored when most other people do.

Am I too navie here?

My only worry is, I am a little overweighted, the consequence: my feet are working really hard. Don't know the long term consequence on the overall health state. I am doing my best on eating healthy.

I love my job...independent pharmacy is great! As for being overweight...all i gotta say is www.crossfit.com try it! do something about it. you wont regret it!

 

[kvl1027]

I look at facebook posts from all of my old classmates who work for the big chains and all they do is complain. I work for an Independent pharmacy, I wear jeans to work everyday, i can talk college football with my customers, because they know who I am. I know their names, their stories, their problems. I love my job. I could not see myself being happy working for a corporate giant.

 

[Ackj]

As far as the overweight thing, hit the gym when you can, modify your diet to include lean proteins and complex carbohydrates, and invest in some good gel inserts for your shoes.

And don't attempt Atomic Bomb or Glutton Challenges, amirite?

 

[Caverject]

I love my job...independent pharmacy is great! As for being overweight...all i gotta say is www.crossfit.com try it! do something about it. you wont regret it!

Couldn't agree more. I love my job and I love Crossfit! I get paid well and have about 45 days off a year...

 

[johnep34]

I moved from retail into industry and had 30 happy years travelling all over the world and meeting amazing people. After retirement from industry, I spent 11 years as a locum (relief) pharmacist and generally enjoyed it. Have to agree that there are very few happy pharmacists in community.

However, my daughter is not a pharmacist and is currently unemployed and miserable. I can tell you that it is better to be miserable with money than without.

Pharmacy today is a grind and I would hate it. Happy to be completely retired, but still miss the excitement of getting on a plane and flying off to do a deal somewhere.
johnep

 

[firework]

The "student loan" part is another mystery to me.

How much do you people spend for living after graduation? I think $50K per year per person can absolutely buy you pretty decent life, after all, the majority of American people do not earn more than $50K annually.

So, if you spend $50K and earn only $80K per year, you can pay off the loan in 4 years, that's not too bad at all.

People here aren't really complaining about the job situations anymore...I think the negativity all comes from the LACK OF JOBS. And you are VERY NAIVE, if you think getting a job in pharmacy will be easy when you graduate. Graduating with 100K loan and no job will make anyone unhappy.

 

[Caverject]

I moved from retail into industry and had 30 happy years travelling all over the world and meeting amazing people. After retirement from industry, I spent 11 years as a locum (relief) pharmacist and generally enjoyed it. Have to agree that there are very few happy pharmacists in community.

However, my daughter is not a pharmacist and is currently unemployed and miserable. I can tell you that it is better to be miserable with money than without.

Pharmacy today is a grind and I would hate it. Happy to be completely retired, but still miss the excitement of getting on a plane and flying off to do a deal somewhere.
johnep

How hard is your daughter looking? There are a lot of unfilled government positions for pharmacists...may not be glamorus or retail like pay, but its a job none the less

 

[J ROD]

How hard is your daughter looking? There are a lot of unfilled government positions for pharmacists...may not be glamorus or retail like pay, but its a job none the less

Note, the part where he said his daughter is NOT a pharmacist....

 

[mustang sally]

Your post cracked me up. In the first line you indicate that you are as real as <nothing?> can be. Then you suggest that almost the only reason someone can disagree with you is because they are naive. Then you let us know that the surplus is a FACT, which I believe is a misuse of the word. Unless you have data to back that claim it is an opinion not a FACT.

Oh, you and your words, owlegrad! I'm starting to think you were an English major or something. 🙂

 

[owlegrad]

Oh, you and your words, owlegrad! I'm starting to think you were an English major or something. 🙂

lol, not at all. I just find it annoying when people misuse words, that's all.

Now that you mention it I guess several of my last posts have been word-misuse-related. I will try to add something with a bit more substance next post, ok? 😉

 

[Its Z]

I'm happy by nature and I'm a pharmacist.

There have been pharmacy jobs I wasn't happy with before. Those were typically routine driven positions. The jobs I enjoy require creativity.

I love my job and I'm a happy pharmacist.

 

[SHC1984]

Your post cracked me up. In the first line you indicate that you are as real as <nothing?> can be. Then you suggest that almost the only reason someone can disagree with you is because they are naive. Then you let us know that the surplus is a FACT, which I believe is a misuse of the word. Unless you have data to back that claim it is an opinion not a FACT.

Pharmacokinetics ain't so bad yet, but pharmacology is kicking my butt. 👎

They are naive if they still think getting a job in pharmacy is easy. Well, I couldn't find a job all summer long. If there was a "shortage" I should be able to easily find a job during the summer time. I hope people are right and there are NO surpluses of pharmacists out there, but I somehow doubt it with the diffculty I am having at finding a job this past summer. I found one easily on Dec 2008 and found another one easily on June 2009, but May 2010 NO LUCK. 🙄
Also just look at the number of people on here complaining about not being able to find jobs. If there wasn't a surplus then NO ONE shoud have any trouble finding jobs...there would still be 30K sign on bonuses and everyone should be happy etc...but again I don't see that happening. Do you?

 

[tungsten87]

They are naive if they still think getting a job in pharmacy is easy. Well, I couldn't find a job all summer long. If there was a "shortage" I should be able to easily find a job during the summer time. I hope people are right and there are NO surpluses of pharmacists out there, but I somehow doubt it with the diffculty I am having at finding a job this past summer. I found one easily on Dec 2008 and found another one easily on June 2009, but May 2010 NO LUCK. 🙄
Also just look at the number of people on here complaining about not being able to find jobs. If there wasn't a surplus then NO ONE shoud have any trouble finding jobs...there would still be 30K sign on bonuses and everyone should be happy etc...but again I don't see that happening. Do you?

really?

 

[SHC1984]

I'm happy as hell.

Mostly because "career" is about #57 on my list of things that make me satisfied about my life.

Am I happy about my career? Right now, obviously, no...but whatever...WVU is undefeated...pizza is still delicious...Dave and Buster's is still open...so much more to life than work...

I agree with this statement completely. If I didn't have to work I would not work at all. LOL....(and i am sure everyone feels the same way) there are a million other things more important to life than working. Working is just something people have to do if they are not born super rich. 🙄 If pharmacy don't really turn out right I will just find another job. It's not like pharmacy is something I really want to do anyways. It's just a job that I feel that was tolerable to me and the salary is also not bad, I know I won't be rich doing this job, but I won't be poor either. Either way if pharmacy doesn't work out b/c of the lack of jobs out there then I will simply do something else. Sure, I'll be annoyed at the fact that I wasted four years of my life in pharmacy school and 80K...but the fact that I won't be a pharmacist is no biggie. It's not something that will bring me down.

 

[owlegrad]

They are naive if they still think getting a job in pharmacy is easy. Well, I couldn't find a job all summer long. If there was a "shortage" I should be able to easily find a job during the summer time. I hope people are right and there are NO surpluses of pharmacists out there, but I somehow doubt it with the diffculty I am having at finding a job this past summer. I found one easily on Dec 2008 and found another one easily on June 2009, but May 2010 NO LUCK. 🙄
Also just look at the number of people on here complaining about not being able to find jobs. If there wasn't a surplus then NO ONE shoud have any trouble finding jobs...there would still be 30K sign on bonuses and everyone should be happy etc...but again I don't see that happening. Do you?

I don't want to sound mean (and I don't know your situation) but how can you have had two jobs in the past but cannot find one in May? I mean you couldn't go back to where you worked in the past? Also just because you couldn't find a job over the summer doesn't mean there is a surplus. Maybe you waited too late, or simply had the bad luck of looking in the wrong places. All kinds of things affect whether or not any particular person finds a job. You remind me of the person who doesn't believe there is a recession until it is their job that is cut, or believes that things are not that bad because they still have a job so everyone else should as well. Just because you couldn't find a job does not mean your market is saturated.

As for all the people on here complaining they can't find jobs...who? The only person on here that I ever hear about job hunting is Mike, and he (I think?) is holding out for the "right" job (i.e. hospital staff job). Several people complain about their job but I don't know too many that are without work. It's a bunch of hyperbole. Just try to find pharmacists who are on unemployment. You won't. And everyone complains about their job. It's a way of life. I bet Hugh Hefner complains about his job.

One final note...I can't find pharmacists in real life who as unhappy as the one's that we hear on these forums. Every pharmacist I interact with basically like their jobs. Some even really like their jobs. One exception - I did work with a new grad at CVS who was very unhappy with her job. It was sad. It's not for everyone and it's a shame she waited until after graduation to find that out. She had all ready had 4 retail jobs in one year after graduation. I know it's anecdotal but I figure if someone like her can get 3-4 jobs within a year of graduation (clearly she is just floating from one job to the next - why would anyone hire someone like that?) then the rest of us should be just fine.

 

[aboveliquidice]

I agree with this statement completely. If I didn't have to work I would not work at all. LOL....(and i am sure everyone feels the same way) there are a million other things more important to life than working. Working is just something people have to do if they are not born super rich. 🙄 If pharmacy don't really turn out right I will just find another job. It's not like pharmacy is something I really want to do anyways. It's just a job that I feel that was tolerable to me and the salary is also not bad, I know I won't be rich doing this job, but I won't be poor either. Either way if pharmacy doesn't work out b/c of the lack of jobs out there then I will simply do something else. Sure, I'll be annoyed at the fact that I wasted four years of my life in pharmacy school and 80K...but the fact that I won't be a pharmacist is no biggie. It's not something that will bring me down.

Intern positions are very different from pharmacist positions. As an intern, you cost more than a tech doing less than a pharmacist. The only major incentive for a pharmacy is in the hopes that the intern stays on (becoming an efficient pharmacist quicker). If you are not facilitating that role, you are of little use to a pharmacy. This is the main reasons there are less dedicated roles for an intern.

In the retail setting, being immunization qualified is GOLD right now. This is how you sell yourself to retail pharmacies. For the inpatient side of the house, you really have to show your desire to stay on. The cycle of interns follows the academic cycle (meaning they hire in the fall). If you are applying early or late, you will find few jobs.

And stop reading these forums as doctrine. It is a crossroad of opinions and ideals that are shared here. It does not represent accurately the true world of pharmacy.

 

[crazybob]

SHC, how far from your house did you search for jobs? 10 miles?

I went to places an hour away from home to try to find a job. I ended up getting one 25 minutes from home.

I agree with this statement completely. If I didn't have to work I would not work at all. LOL....(and i am sure everyone feels the same way) there are a million other things more important to life than working. Working is just something people have to do if they are not born super rich. 🙄 If pharmacy don't really turn out right I will just find another job. It's not like pharmacy is something I really want to do anyways. It's just a job that I feel that was tolerable to me and the salary is also not bad, I know I won't be rich doing this job, but I won't be poor either. Either way if pharmacy doesn't work out b/c of the lack of jobs out there then I will simply do something else. Sure, I'll be annoyed at the fact that I wasted four years of my life in pharmacy school and 80K...but the fact that I won't be a pharmacist is no biggie. It's not something that will bring me down.

So you wouldn't get involved in the profession and what goes on in Washington?

How do you think your patients would feel if they knew that you're in the pharmacy just because you want to earn money?

 

[johnconner]

I think you need to recognize that every pharmacy has different work environments.

 

[rxmommy7]

I enjoy my job. I could really do without the drug addict who called 6 times before 10:30 this morning, but without her and her buddies, what on earth would we do with all that oxycodone?

I work part-time so my job is not my life. It is my escape sometimes, and right now I have no desire to work more. Even though it would mean we'd have a bigger house and nicer cars. I also work for an independent pharmacy so none of those chain horrors that seem to be so common...Chain stores are basically illegal in my state. Only a few CVS stores here.

We are also not a super high volume store, either. There is 1 pharmacist (if you're lucky, you might talk my boss into helping if you are REALLY busy) and 3-4 techs counting the technician at our telepharmacy. Our all-time record is 511 (in a 10-hour day) and that was insanity. And I was 9 months pregnant - that day, I did talk my boss into giving me a break. That would be my chief complaint about my job - no lunch break, no downtime. Happens when there's just 1 pharmacist - can't leave.

 

[Argentium]

I found a pharmacy summer job in (arguably) the most saturated state in the USA that pays well and is close to my house too! Opportunities are out there if you work hard and don't give up. If you want to complain about the surplus and give up then be my guest. More opportunities for me.

 

[MountainPharmD]

I think you need to recognize that every pharmacy has different work environments. For example, I was at an independent where pharmacists and techs had time to joke around and eat christmas cookies while still doing their work. Morale was very high and stress very low.

On the other hand, I've been at a retail pharmacy that does 700+ per day with only 1 pharmacist on duty. There was 50+ filled to be reviewed and 30+ scripts to be reviewed by that ONE pharmacist, as well as 30+ more scripts to be typed by the techs. On top of that there was a line of 10+ people standing at the cash register (it got so bad that the customers started yelling and cussing at each other). Oh yeah and there were customers screaming at the pharmacist to hurry and give them their flu shot already. Not to mention, there were waiters that were waiting for the prescriptions in 15 minutes or less too. With the phones ringing and customers complaining non-stop, stress level was extremely high there.

Unfortunatly a typical day for most of us. Ain't it fun to be a retail pharmacist!

 

[crazybob]

I found a pharmacy summer job in (arguably) the most saturated state in the USA that pays well and is close to my house too! Opportunities are out there if you work hard and don't give up. If you want to complain about the surplus and give up then be my guest. More opportunities for me.

👍👍👍👍👍

 

[SHC1984]

I don't want to sound mean (and I don't know your situation) but how can you have had two jobs in the past but cannot find one in May? I mean you couldn't go back to where you worked in the past? Also just because you couldn't find a job over the summer doesn't mean there is a surplus. Maybe you waited too late, or simply had the bad luck of looking in the wrong places. All kinds of things affect whether or not any particular person finds a job. You remind me of the person who doesn't believe there is a recession until it is their job that is cut, or believes that things are not that bad because they still have a job so everyone else should as well. Just because you couldn't find a job does not mean your market is saturated.

As for all the people on here complaining they can't find jobs...who? The only person on here that I ever hear about job hunting is Mike, and he (I think?) is holding out for the "right" job (i.e. hospital staff job). Several people complain about their job but I don't know too many that are without work. It's a bunch of hyperbole. Just try to find pharmacists who are on unemployment. You won't. And everyone complains about their job. It's a way of life. I bet Hugh Hefner complains about his job.

One final note...I can't find pharmacists in real life who as unhappy as the one's that we hear on these forums. Every pharmacist I interact with basically like their jobs. Some even really like their jobs. One exception - I did work with a new grad at CVS who was very unhappy with her job. It was sad. It's not for everyone and it's a shame she waited until after graduation to find that out. She had all ready had 4 retail jobs in one year after graduation. I know it's anecdotal but I figure if someone like her can get 3-4 jobs within a year of graduation (clearly she is just floating from one job to the next - why would anyone hire someone like that?) then the rest of us should be just fine.

My first job was in my hometown. (I moved out of state to attend pharmacy school b/c I applied very late in the game and missed the deadline to my state school) I didn't go back home for the summer so I didn't bother calling my old employer. I worked there from Dec 2008 to June 2009. I quit cuz I had to move out of state for pharmacy school. I found a job right away when I moved here and I worked there for two months June 09 to Aug 09. I quit cuz I didn't want to work while I was in pharmacy school...that kinda piss the people there off b/c they wanted me to work there ALL year long, but I only wanted to work there during the summer time...So that wasn't good..those people aren't very happy with me. 🙄 Then on May 2010 I called Walgreen's district where they hire interns and they told me they were not hiring. I called CVS the same thing. I called Rite Aid they aren't hiring either....Publix isn't hiring and Kroger isn't either. I also called Sam's club and Costco and Target. NO ONE was hiring. I also applied for a hospital position online and never heard back. So I went on vacation for three months and now I am kinda broke, but had a great summer regardless. But anyways, how r you able to find jobs that only want you during the summer time? The only company I know that has that is Walgreens and they told me to call them back on Jan...they ususally start hiring on Jan for the summer time only. But other retail chains and hospitials I have never heard of any of them hiring for only the summer time. I heard you only work in the summer time. How did you find those jobs?

 

[rxforlife2004]

I'm a happy pharmacist...Sure I have bad days at work and crazy days dealing with nurses and doctors, but now that I've been exposing myself in hospital pharmacy setting for a couple years...I can tell you that I'm happy.

Come on...admit it. First of all, my salary is ridiculously high comparing the nurse that I'm working with. My base hourly rate is 60+ dollars/hr and annually I generate 120k+ (base salary only)...That ICU nurse over there makes what? 35-45 dollars/hour max. I never have to touch dirty patients, smell their urine/poop, hear them screaming for pain meds, being blamed for delayed med administration, being blamed for not calling MD for this and that.

Secondly, I don't have to be on call everyday...I hate to be on call. Once every two months, I have to be on call for a week (rotation system at my palce). It does suck. In the middle of the night, at 3AM , the nurse paged me for a medication (which I don't think it was a STAT med), and I Just wanna screamed "F* you, bit *ch! That med can be delayed for tomorrow or the next day and pt still gonna be okay!!!!"...Now I know how annoyed a doctor can be when they are being paged for stupid shieeeet*.

Love the money, love the flexibility, love it ...love it...love it...

 

[SHC1984]

People on this forum are so miserable. Started to think, do all pharmacists hate their job to death, or this forum happens to attract a bunch of mentally sick pharmacists?

I am doing my internship at a small independent pharmacy. My preceptor is nice, always sensitive to other people's feelings and always encouragous. The techs are competent. I don't know if it's because I have them cover me, I don't feel that stressed as you people complain.

I am still looking forward to being a licensed pharmacist. I don't regret so far, because, A, the pay is good, even given the predicted job saturation, still better than being, say, a scientist. B, I don't mind repeating the same tasks day in and day out, I don't feel bored when most other people do.

Am I too navie here?

My only worry is, I am a little overweighted, the consequence: my feet are working really hard. Don't know the long term consequence on the overall health state. I am doing my best on eating healthy.

Okay when human beings think "happy" they are usually on VACATION. I am happy when I am on vacation. When people are working they are usually content at best. Working any job doesn't matter what you do is tiring, stressful, and not fun. So the best you can expect someone to be when working is to be content. Most pharmacists that I know are okay with their jobs. They can tolerate it, but it's a job and we ALL KNOW we rather be on VACATION. But that goes for EVERYONE, no job is like a vacation if thats the answer you are looking for.

 

[Old]

I'm a happy pharmacist...Sure I have bad days at work and crazy days dealing with nurses and doctors, but now that I've been exposing myself in hospital pharmacy setting for a couple years...I can tell you that I'm happy.

Why are you "Exposing" yourself in a hospital? Where are you located? You probably should be careful. I am pretty sure thats illegal everywhere. Maybe thats the answer to happiness in the workplace.

 

[rxforlife2004]

I'm a happy pharmacist...Sure I have bad days at work and crazy days dealing with nurses and doctors, but now that I've been exposing myself in hospital pharmacy setting for a couple years...I can tell you that I'm happy.

Why are you "Exposing" yourself in a hospital? Where are you located? You probably should be careful. I am pretty sure thats illegal everywhere. Maybe thats the answer to happiness in the workplace.

Please excuse for my limited English. I came here when I was 31 and "no speak English" back then. Now, I am 45...so I know it is hard to pick up ENglish good...

 

[owlegrad]

.... I heard you only work in the summer time. How did you find those jobs?

Luck? I don't know. For CVS I applied at my school's job fair. That was the easy one. For my hospital job, that required more leg work. Cold Calls basically. I was upfront with all the DOPs I spoke with. I wanted a job where I would learn what hospital pharmacy is all about and I could only work while on break. I didn't care about salary (I will worry about that once I am a pharmacist 😉). Geographically I couldn't work there during the school year anyway so that made letting them know about that restriction a little easier. That process (cold calls) wasn't fun at all. Plenty of people find work by applying online I am sure, but I wouldn't have found my job without making those calls. But I got a job I really enjoy, especially compared to CVS. I could work at CVS if I had to, but it is a distant second choice in my mind after working at both places. I routinely tell my DOP that I wish I had never gotten a job there, because I wouldn't realize how much better it is than CVS.

Both places are about 20-25 minutes away from home, which was annoying with CVS because their are several that are closer to my house. The intern manager told me if I apply again this summer she will place me in the store closest to my house, but I am still undecided. Oh one other thing I really like about my hospital job is that I was hired per diem, so I don't have to reapply for my job or anything like that, I just call my DOP and let her know when I can work and she lets me know what days she wants me to work. I am always in thier system so I never have to worry about not being able to clock in or any of that non-sense. I really like that arrangement (very flexible) but some people might not like that arrangement as much. I love it, it's perfect for a student, imo. Per diem pay rates are higher than regular employees as well (no benefits though), so I consider that a perk as well. I was really lucky though, mostly because I don't live near a COP during the summer, which I have no doubt highly contributed to me being abler to find such a great gig.

 

[Podmeister]

I'm married to a pharmacist and I can tell you that she's happy with her career choice, although like everyone else she has both good days and bad days, depending on the amount of hospital admissions, incompetent nursing staff or rude arrogant doctors. She often complains of back pain and foot pain but won't stop wearing those 3 inch high heel shoes despite my recommendation. Well, she is SHORT...

 

[RxMTM]

People on this forum are so miserable. Started to think, do all pharmacists hate their job to death, or this forum happens to attract a bunch of mentally sick pharmacists?

I am doing my internship at a small independent pharmacy. My preceptor is nice, always sensitive to other people's feelings and always encouragous. The techs are competent. I don't know if it's because I have them cover me, I don't feel that stressed as you people complain.

I am still looking forward to being a licensed pharmacist. I don't regret so far, because, A, the pay is good, even given the predicted job saturation, still better than being, say, a scientist. B, I don't mind repeating the same tasks day in and day out, I don't feel bored when most other people do.

Am I too navie here?

My only worry is, I am a little overweighted, the consequence: my feet are working really hard. Don't know the long term consequence on the overall health state. I am doing my best on eating healthy.

So it's better than being "a scientist"? You must mean that it is better by your own personal preference. Because not every job is for any person.

 

[RxMTM]

Okay when human beings think "happy" they are usually on VACATION. I am happy when I am on vacation. When people are working they are usually content at best. Working any job doesn't matter what you do is tiring, stressful, and not fun. So the best you can expect someone to be when working is to be content. Most pharmacists that I know are okay with their jobs. They can tolerate it, but it's a job and we ALL KNOW we rather be on VACATION. But that goes for EVERYONE, no job is like a vacation if thats the answer you are looking for.

I've met a number of people that would rather be working than on vacation. This shows that these people made a best career choice for themselves. They do something that feels like vacation every day.