Evening pharmacist??

[skarndghks2017]

Hi all,
3-11pm pharmacist here at a hospital.
Ive been working 3-11pm for 3 years and there isnt any hope or movements that I will be promoted to day shift anytime soon.
For the first two years I thought hey since im working in at a hospital where all of my friends want, ill just suck it up and deal with it. But my friends work at like a specialty pharmacy, home infusion and they sounds not bad at all (oh forget retail like CVs).
In fact, my hospital is short staffed so I am working my butt off everyday even at night.
I want to have more of MY life at night.
I really want to look for a new job but I am also afraid at the same time.
What should i do??

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[Lnsean]

Hi all,
3-11pm pharmacist here at a hospital.
Ive been working 3-11pm for 3 years and there isnt any hope or movements that I will be promoted to day shift anytime soon.
For the first two years I thought hey since im working in at a hospital where all of my friends want, ill just suck it up and deal with it. But my friends work at like a specialty pharmacy, home infusion and they sounds not bad at all (oh forget retail like CVs).
In fact, my hospital is short staffed so I am working my butt off everyday even at night.
I want to have more of MY life at night.
I really want to look for a new job but I am also afraid at the same time.
What should i do??

start applying to jobs

 

[SELDANE]

Being stuck on a 3-11 shift permanently is flat out wrong. Before quitting I would talk to the DOP and have he or she explain why the shift is not filled on a rotating basis. Most HR departments are hard pressed to defend why your evening time is less valuable than anyone else's.

 

[gwarm01]

Being stuck on a 3-11 shift permanently is flat out wrong. Before quitting I would talk to the DOP and have he or she explain why the shift is not filled on a rotating basis. Most HR departments are hard pressed to defend why your evening time is less valuable than anyone else's.

Alternative take: You applied for and accepted an evening position and should expect to be working evening hours. They don't care if you think it's fair or not.

 

[Lnsean]

Alternative take: You applied for and accepted an evening position and should expect to be working evening hours. They don't care if you think it's fair or not.

Like for real...was this not in the description and the terms when OP accepted his position? If you accepted the position...why complain that it's unfair now.

 

[confettiflyer]

At 3 years experience you should be a prime candidate for most hospital positions. Start applying and once you have an offer in hand, give your current employer a chance to move you to days (if you like it there).

Don't burn the bridge, though...keep your current employer and see if you can drop down to their per diem pool. If things don't work out at your new employer, you won't be left adrift.

Plus, in another 3-5 years, something could open up at your current employer that's enticing. I've seen this happen many times.

Good luck.


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[skarndghks2017]

Alternative take: You applied for and accepted an evening position and should expect to be working evening hours. They don't care if you think it's fair or not.

At that time as a new grad I didn't have a choice. I'm from nj and the hospital is like 10 min away from my house so everything was perfect EXCEPT the time of working
DOP told me he will hire a new pharmacist for 3-11pm and promote me but no news for i don't even know
I'm just thinking whether I should stick for this job for another year until new pharmacist comes or apply for different hospital jobs (but it seems everywhere is looking for evening pharmacist position in nj/ny area too) or even a new/different job like home infusion...

 

[Rouelle]

Always be looking for your next job. Apply. If you get a better offer, you can take it. If you get an equivalent offer, you can either take it or use it to leverage yourself a better position at your current hospital. At the very worst, you get no offers and lost nothing.

 

[Momus]

Bring it up to him... Any new hires can take ur spot.

At that time as a new grad I didn't have a choice. I'm from nj and the hospital is like 10 min away from my house so everything was perfect EXCEPT the time of working
DOP told me he will hire a new pharmacist for 3-11pm and promote me but no news for i don't even know
I'm just thinking whether I should stick for this job for another year until new pharmacist comes or apply for different hospital jobs (but it seems everywhere is looking for evening pharmacist position in nj/ny area too) or even a new/different job like home infusion...

 

[gwarm01]

At that time as a new grad I didn't have a choice. I'm from nj and the hospital is like 10 min away from my house so everything was perfect EXCEPT the time of working
DOP told me he will hire a new pharmacist for 3-11pm and promote me but no news for i don't even know
I'm just thinking whether I should stick for this job for another year until new pharmacist comes or apply for different hospital jobs (but it seems everywhere is looking for evening pharmacist position in nj/ny area too) or even a new/different job like home infusion...

Oh, I get it. I started with a similar schedule and after 2.5 years or so I got a different job that was day shift with no weekends or holidays. I highly recommend that.

I was just replying to the dude who said HR couldn't justify the hours. It doesn't work that way.

 

[skarndghks2017]

Oh, I get it. I started with a similar schedule and after 2.5 years or so I got a different job that was day shift with no weekends or holidays. I highly recommend that.

I was just replying to the dude who said HR couldn't justify the hours. It doesn't work that way.

If you don't mind asking, what kind of different job did you get that is day shift with no weekends or holidays? That sounds a perfect job to me.
Is it hospital?
I also tried to add some certificates to my credentials in order to escape that 3-11pm shift but all of my friends said it's a waste so I didn't do it. But are there anything like that?

 

[Sparda29]

Promoted to day shift? The **** is wrong with you? 3pm-11pm is second only to a 12p-8p shift.

 

[Dred Pirate]

Promoted to day shift? The **** is wrong with you? 3pm-11pm is second only to a 12p-8p shift.

not if you have a wife and kids or are over 32- hell my friends "go out" at 7 or 8 and are home by 11

 

[gwarm01]

If you don't mind asking, what kind of different job did you get that is day shift with no weekends or holidays? That sounds a perfect job to me.
Is it hospital?
I also tried to add some certificates to my credentials in order to escape that 3-11pm shift but all of my friends said it's a waste so I didn't do it. But are there anything like that?

Hospital informatics, yeah.

 

[Dred Pirate]

Hospital informatics, yeah.

do you like it? our informatics people just seem miserable

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

If you don't mind asking, what kind of different job did you get that is day shift with no weekends or holidays? That sounds a perfect job to me.
Is it hospital?
I also tried to add some certificates to my credentials in order to escape that 3-11pm shift but all of my friends said it's a waste so I didn't do it. But are there anything like that?

My job at an independent is similar.

Every other weekend I get a 3 day weekend.
The weekend I do "work" is only an easy 5 hour shift.

We're closed most holidays.

 

[gwarm01]

do you like it? our informatics people just seem miserable

Ehh.. just depends. I enjoy the design aspect when starting a new project, and I love collaborating with our staff to create new things that will actually help them. The build and maintenance aspect can be tedious though. The hardest part for me was transitioning from working in the ICU because the pace of work is drastically slower. I was going crazy for the first few months.

Edit: Dred, you still in Florida? I feel I remember you interviewing at Florida hospital in Orlando a while back... Anyway, what EHR are you guys using?

 

[skarndghks2017]

Promoted to day shift? The **** is wrong with you? 3pm-11pm is second only to a 12p-8p shift.

lol man i wish someone like you would apply and get hired at my hospital. The bad news is that I don't think they are hiring.

not if you have a wife and kids or are over 32- hell my friends "go out" at 7 or 8 and are home by 11

I'm sick of working out in the morning. I f**king hate it and yes I would love to hang out with my friends after work and have friday nights with my friends
I don't care on Mon-Thurs but c'mon at least few day shifts on fridays
so like i said when i first got hired 3 yrs ago my friends were all jealous of me
but now, none of my friends are and think hospital sucks and i don't see any merits to it anymore

Hospital informatics, yeah.

How did you get there dude

 

[gwarm01]

lol man i wish someone like you would apply and get hired at my hospital. The bad news is that I don't think they are hiring.


I'm sick of working out in the morning. I f**king hate it and yes I would love to hang out with my friends after work and have friday nights with my friends
I don't care on Mon-Thurs but c'mon at least few day shifts on fridays
so like i said when i first got hired 3 yrs ago my friends were all jealous of me
but now, none of my friends are and think hospital sucks and i don't see any merits to it anymore


How did you get there dude

I've posted about it plenty of times.. we have an informatics thread if you want to search for it. General idea is that I just volunteered for every IT project that presented itself and then started a nationwide job hunt. I moved to a less desirable area but I consider it a necessary sacrifice to get the experience.

 

[mentos]

Trade? I've been stuck as an overnight at CVS for the same amount of time and I work nearly every weekend. But I still need the job to survive. Would kill to be in your position.

 

[Dred Pirate]

Ehh.. just depends. I enjoy the design aspect when starting a new project, and I love collaborating with our staff to create new things that will actually help them. The build and maintenance aspect can be tedious though. The hardest part for me was transitioning from working in the ICU because the pace of work is drastically slower. I was going crazy for the first few months.

Edit: Dred, you still in Florida? I feel I remember you interviewing at Florida hospital in Orlando a while back... Anyway, what EHR are you guys using?

stayed where I was at - orlando area - although I fun place - didn't draw me - I think I would miss the seasons, and mtns, etc - plus have pretty good roots where I am at


for now

 

[Momus]

Trade? I've been stuck as an overnight at CVS for the same amount of time and I work nearly every weekend. But I still need the job to survive. Would kill to be in your position.

5 on/off 4 on/off lol worst schedule ever

 

[Dred Pirate]

Never worked that but why so bad? Doesn't seem awful ? Was it just the nights part ?

your body just never adjusts if it is nights - if it is days - it isn't bad. With 7 on7 off - it takes 1 day to adjust on each end of the week, - and you ahve 5 "Good" days off

 

[sakigt]

Unless you've got a spouse that works days and you work evenings to make it a child-care free family the whole M-F evening shifts are going to be hard to fill. I really don't understand why they don't just do 7 on 7 off people. It is 2 FTEs but youre more willing to find a millennial who will make that work in that required work life balance.

 

[skarndghks2017]

Unless you've got a spouse that works days and you work evenings to make it a child-care free family the whole M-F evening shifts are going to be hard to fill. I really don't understand why they don't just do 7 on 7 off people. It is 2 FTEs but youre more willing to find a millennial who will make that work in that required work life balance.

That actually sounds like a great idea. 7 on 7 off from 3 to 11. no more like 1-11 or 2-12 or something like that.
10 hour shift of evening and do 7 on 7 off. Not only the overnight people but evening people as well.

 

[gwarm01]

That actually sounds like a great idea. 7 on 7 off from 3 to 11. no more like 1-11 or 2-12 or something like that.
10 hour shift of evening and do 7 on 7 off. Not only the overnight people but evening people as well.

I would have done that. No traffic, shift differential, and 7 days off without any sort of sleep adjustment? Sounds like a dream.

 

[pezdispenser]

I would have done that. No traffic, shift differential, and 7 days off without any sort of sleep adjustment? Sounds like a dream.

I once worked with a coworker and we arranged to do 8 on (Mon-Mon), 6 off, 11:30am-10pm. It was great.

I don't think you can do 7 on 7 off without extra hours added on as a shift differential unless you work 12 hr shifts or something because it won't add up to 80 hrs.

 

[ABCPharmD]

I once worked with a coworker and we arranged to do 8 on (Mon-Mon), 6 off, 11:30am-10pm. It was great.

I don't think you can do 7 on 7 off without extra hours added on as a shift differential unless you work 12 hr shifts or something because it won't add up to 80 hrs.

At one hospital where I did APPEs, the pharmacists for all of the shifts did either 7 on 7 off (70 hours), or 8 on 8 off (80 hours). It sounded like a nice schedule especially for the day pharmacists.

 

[ldiot]

If your DOP actually said that he will eventually hire a new pharmacist for your shift and move you up to a different shift, simply restate what he said and ask him the status/time-frame of this change. Don't have to be pushy or hostile about it; likely he will do it when someone else quits. If it's been over 2 years he's probably not even thinking about it. It's not unreasonable to casually bring it up when you see him.

 

[skarndghks2017]

I once worked with a coworker and we arranged to do 8 on (Mon-Mon), 6 off, 11:30am-10pm. It was great.

I don't think you can do 7 on 7 off without extra hours added on as a shift differential unless you work 12 hr shifts or something because it won't add up to 80 hrs.

So you and your co-worker arranged to do it that way? and DOP approved? wow.. I really want to bring it up to my DOP of that idea.
Yea I mean I would totally to 11-12hr 7 on 7 off that'd be awesome. I don't think my DOP will allow b/c he is just.... yeah lol

At one hospital where I did APPEs, the pharmacists for all of the shifts did either 7 on 7 off (70 hours), or 8 on 8 off (80 hours). It sounded like a nice schedule especially for the day pharmacists.

Holy s.. where is this...?!
hope somewhere in nj/ny/ct bc i have licenses in all of these places lol

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

Hi all,
3-11pm pharmacist here at a hospital.
Ive been working 3-11pm for 3 years and there isnt any hope or movements that I will be promoted to day shift anytime soon.
For the first two years I thought hey since im working in at a hospital where all of my friends want, ill just suck it up and deal with it. But my friends work at like a specialty pharmacy, home infusion and they sounds not bad at all (oh forget retail like CVs).
In fact, my hospital is short staffed so I am working my butt off everyday even at night.
I want to have more of MY life at night.
I really want to look for a new job but I am also afraid at the same time.
What should i do??

If you have an interest in ambcare, you could look into those positions as well. I worked inpatient at my last job doing 4 10hr days. 8am to 7pm.

I lived the job but the evening hours and commute left me with less time for friends, family and random tasks throughout the week. I took an ambcare position and have never looked back, I love the work and hours. I am home by 5pm everyday, no wknds, evenings, holidays; normal primary care schedule.

 

[skarndghks2017]

If you have an interest in ambcare, you could look into those positions as well. I worked inpatient at my last job doing 4 10hr days. 8am to 7pm.

I lived the job but the evening hours and commute left me with less time for friends, family and random tasks throughout the week. I took an ambcare position and have never looked back, I love the work and hours. I am home by 5pm everyday, no wknds, evenings, holidays; normal primary care schedule.

I actually would love to go to amb care. My favorite rotation was amb care but I just didn't do it bc it requirs 2 years of residency (almost everywhere).

 

[Dred Pirate]

I actually would love to go to amb care. My favorite rotation was amb care but I just didn't do it bc it requirs 2 years of residency (almost everywhere).

not around here

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

We have both residency and non residency trained ambcare pharmacists in our system. Alough we do strongly prefer residency trained, it is not a requirement for the right candidate. But many other systems in my metro area do require residency training

 

[pezdispenser]

So you and your co-worker arranged to do it that way? and DOP approved? wow.. I really want to bring it up to my DOP of that idea.
Yea I mean I would totally to 11-12hr 7 on 7 off that'd be awesome. I don't think my DOP will allow b/c he is just.... yeah lol

Yep but this was at a facility with hundreds of RPh. Management didn't care as long as someone was covering each shift, and everyone did 80 hrs. i.e. no OT and no swapping shifts across pay periods or under the table.

 

[ABCPharmD]

Holy s.. where is this...?!
hope somewhere in nj/ny/ct bc i have licenses in all of these places lol

Midwest

 

[skarndghks2017]

not around here

where are you located?

We have both residency and non residency trained ambcare pharmacists in our system. Alough we do strongly prefer residency trained, it is not a requirement for the right candidate. But many other systems in my metro area do require residency training

yeah that's what im thinking too
im in nj/ny area so i would love to be an amb care pharmacist but it just going to be hard but would 3 years of acute care hospital experience help?
Also, would they hire per-diem amb care pharmacists?

 

[Chriskahn]

Working 3-11pm is awesome when you are young and single. Clubs/bars don't pop till midnight anyways. I used to work that schedule, go out right after, and end up going to bed around 3 or 4 AM. You can sleep in til noon every day and never be tired before work. You can literally go out every single night if you wanted to.

Some people say the 3-11 shift kills dating life but to me going out on dates in the evening is overrated. Take a date out to breakfast on the weekend, even if you work weekends you can still do that before work.

 

[Dred Pirate]

where are you located?


yeah that's what im thinking too
im in nj/ny area so i would love to be an amb care pharmacist but it just going to be hard but would 3 years of acute care hospital experience help?
Also, would they hire per-diem amb care pharmacists?

SE US - medium size metro area (1.4 million)

 

[njac]

Noon- 8 is the worst shift ever.

I don't hate it.

Go to the gym on the way to work (shower) work 8 hours, then go out for a late dinner/drinks in bed by midnight rinse repeat.

Might suck with kids but as DINKs with my bf in the restaurant industry it's great for us.


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[sakigt]

I don't hate it.

Go to the gym on the way to work (shower) work 8 hours, then go out for a late dinner/drinks in bed by midnight rinse repeat.

Might suck with kids but as DINKs with my bf in the restaurant industry it's great for us.


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I have two little kids so Not going in until 1pm is actually really nice for us as a family. Ive had thoughts of switching to days but for us a family my 1-1130p is actually better for us.

All the kids doc appts I schedule in the AM (these can add up). I wake up, feed them and get them to daycare/school. Hubbs helps rarely but its mostly me. If the kid wakes up with croup I take the other one to school and make a sick appointment. Hubbs/other relative relieves me or WORST CASE I show up a little late (hasn't happened but since we have so many snowflake dayshifters its fine). I job share so I only work 50 hours a pay period.

The world is your oyster if you don't live the #fakerich lifestyle

 

[njac]

@sakigt I can see where it's really good with smaller kids, but when they get into school I've heard colleagues complain they don't see their kids enough.

What exactly is jobsharing? Do you and another pharmacist both work PT to share that FTE? How about benefits?


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[sakigt]

@sakigt I can see where it's really good with smaller kids, but when they get into school I've heard colleagues complain they don't see their kids enough.

What exactly is jobsharing? Do you and another pharmacist both work PT to share that FTE? How about benefits?


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Colleagues who have to fill in 80 hours a week, maybe.

I job share a 70 hour FTE. I work PT 50 hours (gets benefits) and my coworker works the other 20 (no benefits).

Currently I pick up at least a shift a pay period. A lot of the times two. The past year Ive been working almost FT. Goal is to have student loans gone in another 3 years and with daycare ending around that time (currently $1500/mo) I should be able to pull back to just my 50 hours by the time the oldest is 8.

 

[njac]

Ok imagine that being 1-930 five days a week? Still great? Doubtful. I worked 12-1030 at my last job once and awhile and while it wasn't the worst i wouldn't want to do it all the time.

Currently doing 12-2030 mon-fri. I miss the flexibility of working 4 10s in how easy it was to get a 4-6 day weekend without using pto, but the Hours themselves are fine. Again, my dink-lifestyle supports it. I can see how that would be horrible, especially not in a big city where it's very easy to meet friends at a concert or something at 9pm.


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[skarndghks2017]

Ok imagine that being 1-930 five days a week? Still great? Doubtful. I worked 12-1030 at my last job once and awhile and while it wasn't the worst i wouldn't want to do it all the time.

Exactly. I don't mind doing few times in a week (like 2-3x times a week). But like every day? hell no
So I talked to DOP about this issue again but more seriously this time, but he was just saying he is sorry and give him more time.
I honestly feel like here in NJ, the job market is so tight, DOP doesn't care about pharmacy individuals. If you complain? then leave. We'll hire another one.
He even said that not just to me but like front of everyone in the pharmacy, which kind of make you feel you are not important.
So.. whatever lol
I've been on indeed.com for awhile and I really want to break into industry.. yupp...

 

[sakigt]

Ok imagine that being 1-930 five days a week? Still great? Doubtful. I worked 12-1030 at my last job once and awhile and while it wasn't the worst i wouldn't want to do it all the time.

I already said in a previous post that I think the old 5 days a week evening gig is on its way out due to your concerns

 

[njac]

Man all my friends are home by 9P. I must have boring friends. What city you live in ? NYC?

LA.

Getting off at 2030 works because the RNs get out at 1930; when I worked until 2230 they were on their way home by the time I clocked out (and at my old hospital the RNs on my unit changed shifts at 1830).

My 9-5 friends I can still see that late if it's something specific like to see a band, thankfully this group hasn't really started breeding yet.


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