Help in deciding between hospital A and B

[metrarx]

....

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[dumbguy]

Hey gang,

I've been a long time lurker and have found some useful info you guys provide so now I have a question.

I'm graduating in May and I have two positions to choose from (staff) but it's kind of hard to decide between the two so here are the details so maybe you can help me:

Hospital A- This is a large teaching hospital with approximately 30 pharmacists, 6 of which are clinical specialists (oncology, ICU, gen med, peds, etc.). My schedule is going to be evenings and weekends (4 on, 3 off) which provides a shift diff of 1.50 and 3.00, respectively. The hourly rate is 51.00. This hospital has a decentralized pharmacy department and for those of you who do not know what this means, there's basically 6 pharmacy areas for major sections of the pharmacy (main, ED, oncology, etc.). Since I'll be working weekends, there will be opportunity for some clinical interventions since clinical specialists all have banker hours, except of course, ED. Also, once I get enough experience, I'll start rotating to different pharmacy departments which should be nice. Oh year, the pharmacy has a CPOS

Hospital B- This is medium sized non-teaching hospital. Census is around 130 beds. The staff comprises of 8 full time pharmacists plus the position that I was offered. Hours are M-F 12:30-8:30 but no weekends and holidays. They did not draw up the offer parameters yet so I don't know what the hourly rate is going to be. There will be a night shift diff but I don't the exact amount yet. There is just one central pharmacy department....in the basement...which I always hate Now, the DOP did have a good point: she said that since they don't have any clinical pharmacists (except oncology), everybody shares clinical responsibilities so there are no turf wars if you are up to answering pharmacy consults. And not to forget, no CPOS, instead, they get written orders via scanners which automatically go load into the screen.


So what you guys think??

I like Hospital A

 

[xiphoid2010]

Hey gang,

I've been a long time lurker and have found some useful info you guys provide so now I have a question.

I'm graduating in May and I have two positions to choose from (staff) but it's kind of hard to decide between the two so here are the details so maybe you can help me:

Hospital A- This is a large teaching hospital with approximately 30 pharmacists, 6 of which are clinical specialists (oncology, ICU, gen med, peds, etc.). My schedule is going to be evenings and weekends (4 on, 3 off) which provides a shift diff of 1.50 and 3.00, respectively. The hourly rate is 51.00. This hospital has a decentralized pharmacy department and for those of you who do not know what this means, there's basically 6 pharmacy areas for major sections of the pharmacy (main, ED, oncology, etc.). Since I'll be working weekends, there will be opportunity for some clinical interventions since clinical specialists all have banker hours, except of course, ED. Also, once I get enough experience, I'll start rotating to different pharmacy departments which should be nice. Oh year, the pharmacy has a CPOS

Hospital B- This is medium sized non-teaching hospital. Census is around 130 beds. The staff comprises of 8 full time pharmacists plus the position that I was offered. Hours are M-F 12:30-8:30 but no weekends and holidays. They did not draw up the offer parameters yet so I don't know what the hourly rate is going to be. There will be a night shift diff but I don't the exact amount yet. There is just one central pharmacy department....in the basement...which I always hate Now, the DOP did have a good point: she said that since they don't have any clinical pharmacists (except oncology), everybody shares clinical responsibilities so there are no turf wars if you are up to answering pharmacy consults. And not to forget, no CPOS, instead, they get written orders via scanners which automatically go load into the screen.


So what you guys think??

Shift diff of 3?! $153 an hour on weekends?! Where do I sign?!!!!!

 

[metrarx]

....

 

[njac]

I prefer an academic setting.

 

[SpirivaSunrise]

Personally? Straight out of school sans residency? I'd want somewhere that would permit me to learn and grow...be a go-getter and build my skill set.

Does one of the hospitals make you feel like it can give you that kind of opportunity, more than the other?

You don't necessariliy have to find a place where you hit the ground running...figure out where you'll be comfortable, do a little bit of everything, become great at it...and then move up.

 

[aboveliquidice]

Hospital A seems like a winner to me... Feeling a bit uncomfortable at first is a good thing - it will push you to grow and learn.

~above~

 

[WVUPharm2007]

The type of people that are found in hospital A tend to be pompous *******s that will look down upon you. WVU Ruby is hilarious to hear about from afar. It's the same type of place...and I'd never work there for any amount of cash. The stories the ex-pharmacists who worked there tell me about how expendable they felt are always good for a chuckle. Imagine all of your coworkers are Priapism321. Yeah. That bad. Now, it's a GREAT place to be if you are a fellow pompous *******...but I assume you are not...for the sake of your sanity...I'd go with hospital B. It will be much more challenging.

I work at a place like hospital B. I've been put on the spot and stressed in ways that absolutely shock people that work at the larger institutions. My favorite is still the night I had 3 cardiopulmonary codes in 45 minutes...two within minutes of each other...I'm the only pharmacist in the building...3 attendings screaming at me simultaneously while I'm in the IV room making **** for their (undestandably) impatient asses. You have to have some damned confidence in yourself to work at a small hospital...because you WILL be put on an island by yourself...shooting these seemingly arbitrary questions about drug products towards me while I'm trying to draw stuff up into syringes. If you have 15 years experience, that's one thing...but I'm sitting there 3 or 4 months into my career forced into directing the joint like a colonel. At the larger hospitals, there is always someone else with more experience there.

But as everyone knows...I hate everything academia. It's a bizarre fantasy world that I'm not compatible with. You should take a grain of salt with me, perhaps...or perhaps not...

 

[metrarx]

....

 

[rxforlife2004]

What about the distance? benefits? if both are the same or equivalent, i recommend you starting out with A first...getting your experiences. Meanwhile negotiating with B to do per diem or something....Pick up the best out of #A and then when u become strong/good, you'll be anywhere you want. Of course, with connection and luck along the line....

 

[Allure]

It's hard to make a comparison when you don't know much about hospital B. You also have to take into the working environment factor. I just like hospital A better. I think you should do a poll, you'd be able to see it better. But in the end, it's your decision and I wish you the best of luck.

 

[DrugRX]

I recommend you to take a full time position with B hospital and get a per diem position at A hospital. I agree with WVU, and you will learn so much more in B hospital. Working per diem at A hospital will make your resume cool. Also, you can compare hospital B and A and determine what you really like.

 

[ItsOverZyvox]

Metrarx,

Here are my thoughts and observation from my experience with both. I can tell you that I grew up in Hospital B but have worked extensively with Hospital A.

Hospital A:

• As a staff, you'll work like a drone filling your time then go home.
• It will be unlikely you'll ever get involved with cool projects.
• Opportunity to advance will be limited unless you get more education.
• The "Clinical Pharmacists" and "Staff pharmacists" will be separated by a visible glass partition with a "us" vs. "them" mentality.
• The DOP may not even know your name.

Hospital B:

• You will get to do as much as you're willing to do.
• You will learn more.
• Schedule will be probably more flexible.
• Even without a residency or an advanced degree, you'll have opportunities for professional growth.
• Not as many hot nurses in Hospital B.

Either job will work. But you have to figure out what it is you want out of Pharmacy.

 

[Glycerin]

It's a tough decision. I echo what others have said regarding ultimately you have to decide what factors are important to you. I have to say at this point, not taking money into the decision, I'd lean more toward B since you won't have a residency under your belt.

 

[kdt110]

Money may sound great now but ultimately, your job satisfaction is more important. Work at a hospital where you feel you will be happy.

 

[Omegadramon]

Metrarx,

Here are my thoughts and observation from my experience with both. I can tell you that I grew up in Hospital B but have worked extensively with Hospital A.

Hospital A:

• As a staff, you'll work like a drone filling your time then go home.
• It will be unlikely you'll ever get involved with cool projects.
• Opportunity to advance will be limited unless you get more education.
• The "Clinical Pharmacists" and "Staff pharmacists" will be separated by a visible glass partition with a "us" vs. "them" mentality.
• The DOP may not even know your name.

Hospital B:

• You will get to do as much as you're willing to do.
• You will learn more.
• Schedule will be probably more flexible.
• Even without a residency or an advanced degree, you'll have opportunities for professional growth.
  [*]Not as many hot nurses in Hospital B.
  

Either job will work. But you have to figure out what it is you want out of Pharmacy.

Key decision point right here, lol.

I don't know much...I'd go for the job that has the greatest opportunity for either job growth or with the best environment to thrive. Other factors are location and flexibility of scheduling. that's all i can think of late at night.