Career advice

[pharmachump]

All hypothetical but given this situation what do you think is the best course of action. After graduation, if given the offer to staff hospital, staff at a chemo infusion center, staff at a VA inpatient or do a residency, which would be best if job security and wanting to remain within a hospital with options for mobility are the priority? Also, if offered a VA staff position in an area I'd like to remain, is it even worth pursuing a residency? Very big if but I'm just entertaining possibilities here and I'd appreciate any feedback if anyone has some. Thanks in advance!

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[rxkrafted]

In my opinion, staffing in hospital or VA inpatient would be best if you want flexibility. Residency means nothing unless you're guaranteed a job after. In terms of job security, getting an offer (preferably full-time) > residency.
Yes but these are quite entertaining hypothetical situations you have going on here lol. Do you currently work?

 

[pharmachump]

In my opinion, staffing in hospital or VA inpatient would be best if you want flexibility. Residency means nothing unless you're guaranteed a job after. In terms of job security, getting an offer (preferably full-time) > residency.
Yes but these are quite entertaining hypothetical situations you have going on here lol. Do you currently work?

yeah, I work at 3 different hospital settings and these are all in the realm of possibility. Of course nothing is a given but in case events unfold like this, i'm trying to make the best decision career wise. Appreciate the feedback!

 

[rxkrafted]

Since you are already working at 3 different places, just make sure you prioritize commute time, good workplace environment, and good relationship with existing coworkers if you get any offers in the future. Don't let a couple thousand bucks difference in pay affect your decision. It's better to have good endurance and networking with coworkers at a facility where you enjoy working. Good luck.

 

[pharmachump]

Since you are already working at 3 different places, just make sure you prioritize commute time, good workplace environment, and good relationship with existing coworkers if you get any offers in the future. Don't let a couple thousand bucks difference in pay affect your decision. It's better to have good endurance and networking with coworkers at a facility where you enjoy working. Good luck.

Yeah i figured don't get greedy and I like the work environments each one presents. Thanks for the feedback! Ultimately if I do get any offers, it'll be a difficult decision since it seems like the market has been shifting to residency only positions in regards to hospital. Even if I were fortunate enough to lock in solid offers now, i wouldn't want a lack of residency to lock me out mobility wise if I ever need to relocate. I do appreciate the advice and looks like I still have a lot to think about.

 

[JustFillIt]

My opinion is, and always has been, that a good chemo pharmacist is in super high demand and will continue to be.

 

[pharmachump]

My opinion is, and always has been, that a good chemo pharmacist is in super high demand and will continue to be.

Is that true even for infusion centers? I thought the demand for oncology pharmacists was more in the pgy-2 clinical specialist field, but I'm not to knowledgeable on how this relates to infusion center pharmacists.

 

[sozetone]

just stay out of retail!!!! whats left of it anyway.....lol

 

[wazoodog]

If it's not too difficult to find an opportunity, I'm considering picking up per diem pharmacy hours in the NYC metro area - fine with even a few hours a month. I've retained an active license but havent practiced in about 15 years since I left retail for pharma/biotech. I never got a vaccine certification since it wasnt needed back then - but understand its not too hard to get one. I spent about 3 years as a hospital pharmacy intern during pharm school.

Reasonable chance, or is it so saturated that no one is even considering new per diem pharmacists?

Supplemental income is not a factor (although I wouldn't do it for free), it's more to get in touch again with the healthcare system as a pharmacist and if my experience can be of help (and vice versa) that would be more than enough.