Going back to residency?

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

BeerMe

Full Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2019
Messages
18
Reaction score
9
Hey all,

My situation sucks. I’ve been unemployed for a year. I was let go by my previous company and have been having trouble landing a job. Been doing interviews but man, they always say we chose someone else who matches closest to our needs BS.

I’m thinking about applying for residencies now. I graduated from school in 2015 and went straight to work so idk if going back to residency will make me a weird applicant. Those who work in selecting residents, what do you think of this?

Did anyone else go back to do this after working as a pharmacist? Tips? Where should I start?
Members don't see this ad.
 
Have you worked with a job coach or recruiter to figure out why you are getting passed over now and why you were let go? I'd try that route first; your chances of a residency are very slim based on ASHP stats

PGY1 Applicants: matched unmatched total
2019 Graduates 3667 1808 5475 67% match rate
Pre-2019 Graduates 155 307 462 33% match rate
 
Members don't see this ad :)
KidPharmD said:
I went back after only 1 year. 4 years is going to really stand out. Unemployment is really going to stand out.

Are you tied to a city or region? How far can you move?
Click to expand...

I’m not tied to a city. I got my license from a neighboring state as well. It’s hard to apply out of state that you don’t have a license for yet? idk if I should spend so much money on licensing when a job isn’t guaranteed
 
spacecowgirl said:
Have you worked with a job coach or recruiter to figure out why you are getting passed over now and why you were let go? I'd try that route first; your chances of a residency are very slim based on ASHP stats

PGY1 Applicants: matched unmatched total
2019 Graduates 3667 1808 5475 67% match rate
Pre-2019 Graduates 155 307 462 33% match rate
Click to expand...

Yea I was working with a job coach in the beginning. I think she gave up on me . I was let go without a reason but I think they were cutting costs. They hired 3 new pharmacist and by the end of the year 3 old ones got let go
 
Lubeckd said:
what have you been doing the last past year? besides applying
Click to expand...

My family owns an adult family home. I do consult services for our residents but I hesitate to put that down on my resume cause they might think I’m just making it up to cover the gap. And technically I don’t really get paid as a pharmacist doing these services. I just do it to keep my pharmacy knowledge I guess
 
projektreverb said:
Can I ask why you got let go? Where you fired or did you get downsized?
Click to expand...

I wish I knew. They didn’t give me a reason but like I said above I think they were cutting costs. They hired 3 new pharmacist and by the end of the year 3 old ones got let go
 
BeerMe said:
I wish I knew. They didn’t give me a reason but like I said above I think they were cutting costs. They hired 3 new pharmacist and by the end of the year 3 old ones got let go
Click to expand...
in my old job they were cutting delivery drivers hours. Reimbursement keeps falling. Good you still have a gig up. maybe look for part time?
 
Good luck at your interview. I think I'd give the job coach thing another try (you don't always mesh with the first therapist you try, KWIM?) if you don't get the job.
 
BeerMe said:
I’m not tied to a city. I got my license from a neighboring state as well. It’s hard to apply out of state that you don’t have a license for yet? idk if I should spend so much money on licensing when a job isn’t guaranteed
Click to expand...
If you aren't tied to a place, then you should be applying to jobs all over the country. A residency application is an investment that might not pay off in either the short or long term. Don't only apply places you have a license. Reciprocity is easy most places and many jobs acknowledge that they might have to give you time to get an active license. That being said, not being tied to a place increases your chances at a residency position. Every non-matched postgrad applicant I have ever talked to limited themselves to their immediate area because something else was tying them there.

BeerMe said:
My family owns an adult family home. I do consult services for our residents but I hesitate to put that down on my resume cause they might think I’m just making it up to cover the gap. And technically I don’t really get paid as a pharmacist doing these services. I just do it to keep my pharmacy knowledge I guess
Click to expand...

I would find a way to put this on applications. Does this work put food on your table? If so, then it is a job. Job gaps can look bad on an application and look worse the longer they go on. I would be careful about this though. If you are practicing pharmacy (whether that is your job title or not) then you are subject to your state's BOP. My state has very specific rules for consultant pharmacists.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Prior_Auth_Denied said:
Would you consider to work as a tech? That sounds backwards, but that may get your foot into the door.
Click to expand...
It is also a legally questionable practice if he has a license as a pharmacist at the same time. I don't know of a state that will let someone be registered as a technician and a pharmacist at the same time.
 
Having graduated from pharmacy school 4 years ago and being an unemployed pharmacist for the past 1 year, I highly recommend applying and obtaining a per diem, part time, or full time pharmacist position. (that's where you may want to start right now)

Good luck with your interview for the hospital outpatient pharmacist position.


BeerMe said:
Hey all,

My situation sucks. I’ve been unemployed for a year. I was let go by my previous company and have been having trouble landing a job. Been doing interviews but man, they always say we chose someone else who matches closest to our needs BS.

I’m thinking about applying for residencies now. I graduated from school in 2015 and went straight to work so idk if going back to residency will make me a weird applicant. Those who work in selecting residents, what do you think of this?

Did anyone else go back to do this after working as a pharmacist? Tips? Where should I start?
Click to expand...
 
Transformer said:
Having graduated from pharmacy school 4 years ago and being an unemployed pharmacist for the past 1 year, I highly recommend applying and obtaining a per diem, part time, or full time pharmacist position. (that's where you may want to start right now)

Good luck with your interview for the hospital outpatient pharmacist position.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I applied to every single type of job. Even contract. This outpatient one is per diem. I hope they give me a chance


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
I will echo that it is harder to get interviews and match with any long gap after pharmacy school. Most of the successful cases I hear about are people who do not immediately match, find a hospital or other job while staying involved, and reapply the following year.

A general perception is that it can be hard to show you have the knowledge to jump back in and go on inpatient rounds, manage patients in a clinic, etc. if you have not done so for a long time. And I have heard some say things like "they are probably just tired of what they are currently doing in retail" when looking at apps or pointing out when someone stopped being involved in organizations etc. after school. So you have to prove them wrong, including with your LORs showing your clinical capability, if you have BCPS, and/or other ways with your activities.
 
I'm in a similar situation: I have practiced 2 years in the retail pharmacy and haven't worked as a pharmacist this past year, due to saturation in the job market and disciplinary action by the board (retail caused the issue and I got blamed). I feel residency will do me some justice. I'm investing time looking up the ASHP website but need guidance since the website tailors to graduate students who have letter of reference from preceptors. Its been a long time since I graduated and all I have is letter of reference from colleagues in the retail setting. What is the best strategy to complete their criteria and get matched. Any help would be great!! I have a roadmap to what I want to do (residency) was always in the back burner for me as well as Research and Development/Pharmacueticals. I'm studying for NY MPJE
 
If you do apply, make sure that your resume demonstrates service to the profession since you've been unemployed, for example being actively involved (more than just attending conferences) of a local pharmacy association, as well as maybe volunteering doing health screenings etc. Definitely find a way to highlight the consulting work that you do.
 
BeerMe said:
My family owns an adult family home. I do consult services for our residents but I hesitate to put that down on my resume cause they might think I’m just making it up to cover the gap. And technically I don’t really get paid as a pharmacist doing these services. I just do it to keep my pharmacy knowledge I guess
Click to expand...

I'd push back on this. If you're the person signing on the line as the consultand pharmacist doing the required reviews, this is ABSOLUTELY something you should mention. Its better than having a retail background. Doesn't matter whether you get paid. Its clinical work, talk about it.
 
PillMan777 said:
I'm in a similar situation: I have practiced 2 years in the retail pharmacy and haven't worked as a pharmacist this past year, due to saturation in the job market and disciplinary action by the board (retail caused the issue and I got blamed). I feel residency will do me some justice. I'm investing time looking up the ASHP website but need guidance since the website tailors to graduate students who have letter of reference from preceptors. Its been a long time since I graduated and all I have is letter of reference from colleagues in the retail setting. What is the best strategy to complete their criteria and get matched. Any help would be great!! I have a roadmap to what I want to do (residency) was always in the back burner for me as well as Research and Development/Pharmacueticals. I'm studying for NY MPJE
Click to expand...

You are going to have a tough time, but as long as you tell your story cohesively and honestly, I think you've got a chance of matching. You will have to seek letters of rec from colleagues and hopefully superiors who can speak to your patient focus/clinical acumen etc. I wish you the best of luck, reach out via our site if you'd like some additional professional help.
 
KidPharmD said:
It is also a legally questionable practice if he has a license as a pharmacist at the same time. I don't know of a state that will let someone be registered as a technician and a pharmacist at the same time.
Click to expand...
I looked into the matter. The system is designed so you move upwards from trainee tech to pharmacist. You would have to surrender your pharmacist license in order to get a tech license. I asked twice my board if I did surrender would I be able to get it back or go through the whole process of doing Naplex, registration, or do CEs they never responded back. As I was studying for my CEs there might have been a change to my state regulation that require pharmacists who haven't been practicing for 1 year they must do 400 hours internship.
 
Man I know it probably hurts to say this, but if you've been unemployed for a whole year it probably has more to do with your interview/application skills then the saturation. Poor interview skills can really be a nail in the coffin in terms of job prospects.
 
GradVantageRx said:
You are going to have a tough time, but as long as you tell your story cohesively and honestly, I think you've got a chance of matching. You will have to seek letters of rec from colleagues and hopefully superiors who can speak to your patient focus/clinical acumen etc. I wish you the best of luck, reach out via our site if you'd like some additional professional help.
Click to expand...

What is your sit?
 
BeerMe said:
My family owns an adult family home. I do consult services for our residents but I hesitate to put that down on my resume cause they might think I’m just making it up to cover the gap. And technically I don’t really get paid as a pharmacist doing these services. I just do it to keep my pharmacy knowledge I guess
Click to expand...
Use that Adult Family home experience to apply for an actual pharmacy job in Long term care. That experience could help for applying for residency. Just curious, what is your GPA like?

Also, Did you get in touch with former clinical preceptors about re applying to residencies? Keep in mind the chances of going back to do a residency even after year in 2020, is 30%

Your GPA should be 3.5 or above, need a research project and the work experience will help. Any patient care work experience looks good for RPDs.

But your best bet is to look for LTC pharmacy positions
 
Last edited by a moderator:
BeerMe said:
Hey all,

My situation sucks. I’ve been unemployed for a year. I was let go by my previous company and have been having trouble landing a job. Been doing interviews but man, they always say we chose someone else who matches closest to our needs BS.

I’m thinking about applying for residencies now. I graduated from school in 2015 and went straight to work so idk if going back to residency will make me a weird applicant. Those who work in selecting residents, what do you think of this?

Did anyone else go back to do this after working as a pharmacist? Tips? Where should I start?
Click to expand...
Best bet is to go to school for something with potential. Before doing that residency BS I’d either pick PA or NP or just pick a different field with potential. Pharmacy is going down hill and people with residencies have been having difficulties getting positions since 2009.

Just keeping it real.
 
You won't get a residency as someone 5+ years removed from graduation unless you happened to fortuitously meet an unknown program who was starting up their program this year. If you were only 1-2 years removed from residency then I would say you have a [small] chance, but 5 years is too much of a gap plus you're so removed from the "contemporary" pharmacy curriculum that there's no point in taking a chance on you when there are plenty of well-qualified, desperate students jockeying for residency since they know retail is a mess.

Just keeping it real.
 
Mambo#5 said:
Best bet is to go to school for something with potential. Before doing that residency BS I’d either pick PA or NP or just pick a different field with potential. Pharmacy is going down hill and people with residencies have been having difficulties getting positions since 2009.

Just keeping it real.
Click to expand...
I agree. If I were OP, I would do this after getting rid of pharmacy school debt. Not sure OP has any debt from pharm school.
 
I went back to do residency after being out for at least a year, but that was over 10 years ago, residencies were competitive but not as crazy as it is now.
 
I’m in the same boat. Been a hospital pharmacist for 4 years and I’m currently working full time. Unfortunately, I’m having a hard time trying to find a non-staffing position. What I have found that it is extremely difficult transition without some sort of post-graduating training. Is it worth pursuing a PGY1/2? Or should i look into PA school and leave pharmacy all together?
 
samven582 said:
I’m in the same boat. Been a hospital pharmacist for 4 years and I’m currently working full time. Unfortunately, I’m having a hard time trying to find a non-staffing position. What I have found that it is extremely difficult transition without some sort of post-graduating training. Is it worth pursuing a PGY1/2? Or should i look into PA school and leave pharmacy all together?
Click to expand...
Why do you want to leave staffing?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top