Does it matter which retail company you work for as a RPh?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

CaliRx

Full Member
10+ Year Member
5+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2006
Messages
235
Reaction score
0
I have been a pharmacy intern for CVS for over 3 years. I just graduated pharmacy school and received an offer from CVS (few hours away from home) and a local Rite Aid position.

I have read many comments from both CVS and Rite Aid employees and feel that ultimately retail is retail! Does it matter which retail company I decide to work for and if I decide to pick Rite Aid will it influence future job opportunities at other retail companies since it is considered the "last" choice?

Thank you for any feedback!
 
Clearly this is a troll post. There are no pharmacy jobs left and they expect us to believe there are 2!!!



Really, I would doubt just working for company would get you blacklisted from other jobs. Now getting fired might be different.

A lot would probably depend on your career goals. Are you planning to try to stay in retail? Is the CVS in/near an area you would like to live in?

If you are planning just to use the retail to get experience and then try to jump to hospital work, then moving for the CVS job may not be the best idea. However, if you are comfortable with either hospital or retail, then I would say go with whichever you most comfortable with.
 
Traditionally there are the "good" companies to work for the "average" and the "poor".

The BEST ones are Costco, Sam's Club, and Target. If you can these three you better take it and run. (although I have worked for Target before and their computer is the crappiest one I have ever used in my life)

The moderate ones are Walmart, Publix, and other grocery store chains. (I have worked for Walmart before and they are OVER STAFFED!!! This is the first time I felt the pharmacy had too much help! LOL...However, it's not ranked in the "good" b/c some of the people that shop at Walmart are kinda trashy.)

The WORST ones are CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. These three all have drive thrus which suck, they are short staffed as always, they are cheap on their tech hours, expects you to be overworked with little help, expects you to finish work that would take someone 80hrs to do in 40 hrs. (I worked for Walgreens before and it sucked so bad. I HATE consumer service worst than cleaning the toilet)

Good luck.

I would choose CVS cuz Rite Aid is about to close down completely and leave you unemployed in a few years or less.
 
Last edited:
If you really want to stay in your home town then just take the Rite Aid position. Retail is retail for the most part, volatile long term career option no matter which chain you choose in my opinion.
 
even if Rite-Aid closes down, someone will have to fill those prescriptions...
 
Traditionally there are the "good" companies to work for the "average" and the "poor".

The BEST ones are Costco, Sam's Club, and Target. If you can these three you better take it and run. (although I have worked for Target before and their computer is the crappiest one I have ever used in my life)

The moderate ones are Walmart, Publix, and other grocery store chains. (I have worked for Walmart before and they are OVER STAFFED!!! This is the first time I felt the pharmacy had too much help! LOL...However, it's not ranked in the "good" b/c some of the people that shop at Walmart are kinda trashy.)

The WORST ones are CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. These three all have drive thrus which suck, they are short staffed as always, they are cheap on their tech hours, expects you to be overworked with little help, expects you to finish work that would take someone 80hrs to do in 40 hrs. (I worked for Walgreens before and it sucked so bad. I HATE consumer service worst than cleaning the toilet)

Good luck.

I would choose CVS cuz Rite Aid is about to close down completely and leave you unemployed in a few years or less.

Target computer system is still in the stone ages
Publix is the best IMO (currently employee)
I would consider walmart since you actually get a lunch 😱
I heard costco is where to be at though
 
I think Sam's Club and Costco are number one, but I've never worked for them. Walmart and Target get lunch breaks and you won't have to work overnights. CVS has 14 hour shifts and if you are a floater you may have to work overnights and holidays. Walgreens has 12 hour shifts and you may have to work overnights and holidays.
 
Thanks for all the input! Has anyone ever worked for Rite Aid? How was the experience?
 
If you really want to stay in your home town then just take the Rite Aid position. Retail is retail for the most part, volatile long term career option no matter which chain you choose in my opinion.

I vote go work outpatient at a VA. The government loves to spend money and outpatient VA is the only pharmacy I've ever stepped foot in that more often than not is adequately staffed. 👍
 
Top