In a Tough Position...

[PistonFan531]

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Hi guys. Right now I am in a bit of a dilemma and I would appreciate some advice. I just graduated from pharmacy school last month and right now I am studying for the boards. Back in December I got a job offer from an independent pharmacy for a pharmacist in charge position. The issue is that the pharmacy is still in the process of being built. Back in December I was told that it would be ready by April or May. Then it was June or July. Then August. Then October. Now, they are telling me that it should be up and ready by December. There have been lots of delays and setbacks with the construction of the building, licensure, and trying to reach agreements and contracts with all of the insurance companies. I was an intern at Meijer for a year and a half but my last day working there was in April because I was not hired as a grad intern for the company. It should be noted that I am not a big fan of working for a chain for many reasons and I would much rather work for an independent. So now, I am out of work until at least December with 150 k in student loans. And I know that people are going to ask, "Well why don't you just work for a chain until the independent opens up?" Well the thing is, I don't want to burn any bridges. Let's say that things at the independent don't work out and sometime in the future I want to apply for that same chain. I am worried that they would not even look at me because I worked with them for a few months and then left the company. And with the job market supposed to look a lot worse in the future, I do not want to take any risks and burn any bridges, because I know that my opportunities may be severely limited in the future. In the meantime I have applied to 2 other independents and 2 long term care pharmacies in the hopes that I can land a job and work until the place opens up. I have not heard back from any of those 4 places and it appears that my chances are getting slimmer by the day.

What do you guys suggest that I do?

 

[SELDANE]

With so many delays in the opening of this independent pharmacy one has to wonder how long will this pharmacy stay open once it finally gets operational. With that in mind, and 150k in student loans, I would go ahead and apply to the retail chains and not look back.

 

[DruggieDoRight]

Work retail at like a KS/CM/Safeway/HiVee/etc, they generally treat their employees better than target/walmart/CVS

 

[oldstock]

With so many delays in the opening of this independent pharmacy one has to wonder how long will this pharmacy stay open once it finally gets operational. With that in mind, and 150k in student loans, I would go ahead and apply to the retail chains and not look back.

I agree. No job with debts is even worse... Survive first...

 

[fiorio]

you can work for a chain now , and later on work full time at independent and stay contingent at the chain store

 

[WhYMee]

Definitely find a job. Don't wait til the store opens. There is a saying " you're more employable, when you are employed". You can always work for the chain full-time and later drop to part time of per-diems. Chains usually like those because they don't have to pay out benefits

 

[KARM12]

Apply for the jobs...you'll be making money and be a better employee in the independent for having some experience. It sounds like a big gamble in waiting around for the independent to open. Can always work part time or per diem with the chain down the line.

 

[PistonFan531]

Thanks for your input guys I really appreciate it. I have a couple of more questions:

1. If I were to remain with the chain in the future as a contingent pharmacist, is there a minimum amount of hours or days in which I will be required to work in order to remain employed?

2. Let's say things do not work out at the independent and I quit and I want to change from contingent to full time with the chain. Will the chain grant me my wish?

 

[aznjeff07]

I was in the same situation. I got an unofficial job offer for a new branch in my city and they kept pushing back the date. Well I quit my current job and just went on vacation until I had enough and took a job that was offered earlier (luckily they just fired someone so I just took the new opening). Long story short, there is no reason to wait around if they can't get their shiet together.

1. Depends on the chain but I would assume at least 1 or 2 days a week (most likely a weekend day)
2. If there is a position open there isn't a reason they shouldn't offer it to you unless they don't like your work/efficiency, someone asked first, some random reason I can't name. You'd have precedence over a new hire in most situations since you have experience.

 

[PistonFan531]

At least 1 day a week? But I'm going to be working 6 days a week at the independent (Mon-Sat) That would mean that I would be working 7 days a week *sighs*

 

[Praziquantel86]

I'll second the others - go with the job now. You can't hang your hat on a hope that may not materialize.

One thing to consider if you are going to work as a PRN once the independent opens is if your chain has a non-compete clause in their contract. Many chains have these and will not allow you to work directly for the competition (i.e., the independent trying to take their customers). You will very likely have an all-or-nothing decision when it comes to it.

 

[BidingMyTime]

At least 1 day a week? But I'm going to be working 6 days a week at the independent (Mon-Sat) That would mean that I would be working 7 days a week *sighs*

I doubt that, the most I've ever heard of is a requirement to work once every 30 days (I've seen some places that had it as lax as 180 days.) No place is going to make a PRN employee work once a week....by definition they would then be a part-time employee, not a PRN employee (and I can't imagine any place not wanting an already trained PRN employee, this is a low-cost, high-value asset)

 

[molyhelp]

you can work for a chain now , and later on work full time at independent and stay contingent at the chain store

I agree with poster named "Praziquantel86" who posted same helpful warning.

Many chains have these and will not allow you to work directly for the competition (i.e., the independent trying to take their customers).

Many of us would love to earn living at many pharmacies. The only problem now is: many pharmacists are fired from chain pharmacies for violating signed agreement "Conflict of Interest."

Even technicians.

Both pharmacists and technicians are forced to sign documents during hiring process that they can not work at Community pharmacy and Certain Competitor (meanings: retails, other chains, any independent,....)

If we work for retail, where else can we work?
We can work at Non-retail: Hospital, closed-door pharmacy, long term care, compounding, jail system, government,...places that will not have the temptation to pull patients away from chain.

Why such big deal?
Many pharmacists who quit retail and opened his or her own pharmacy TOLD and ATTRACTED patients to come to buy at new pharmacy.

And of course there are other reasons, but in summary, I just want to share so we do not get fired. If you do work at many retail places, please know the risks and take proper careful steps. You are smart, you have been warned, I am sure you know what to do.

Have a nice day, fellow pharmers !

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

At least 1 day a week? But I'm going to be working 6 days a week at the independent (Mon-Sat) That would mean that I would be working 7 days a week *sighs*

You agreed to work 6 days/week?! Nuts to that, 5 days a week is too much in my opinion.

 

[PistonFan531]

Thanks for sharing this and warning me. ButUghhhh now this kinda puts me back at square one 🙁

I agree with poster named "Praziquantel86" who posted same helpful warning.


Many of us would love to earn living at many pharmacies. The only problem now is: many pharmacists are fired from chain pharmacies for violating signed agreement "Conflict of Interest."

Even technicians.

Both pharmacists and technicians are forced to sign documents during hiring process that they can not work at Community pharmacy and Certain Competitor (meanings: retails, other chains, any independent,....)

If we work for retail, where else can we work?
We can work at Non-retail: Hospital, closed-door pharmacy, long term care, compounding, jail system, government,...places that will not have the temptation to pull patients away from chain.

Why such big deal?
Many pharmacists who quit retail and opened his or her own pharmacy TOLD and ATTRACTED patients to come to buy at new pharmacy.

And of course there are other reasons, but in summary, I just want to share so we do not get fired. If you do work at many retail places, please know the risks and take proper careful steps. You are smart, you have been warned, I am sure you know what to do.

Have a nice day, fellow pharmers !

 

[PistonFan531]

You agreed to work 6 days/week?! Nuts to that, 5 days a week is too much in my opinion.

Well it may be a lot of days and hours but you have to understand that I am a new graduate with 150 k in student loans plus interest. More hours= faster that I can pay off the debt. And when I am done paying off all of my debt then who knows, I may still want to work 6 days a week. That will give me more spending money for vacations, eating out, buying new clothes, etc.

 

[bwsalvas]

I'll second the others - go with the job now. You can't hang your hat on a hope that may not materialize.

One thing to consider if you are going to work as a PRN once the independent opens is if your chain has a non-compete clause in their contract. Many chains have these and will not allow you to work directly for the competition (i.e., the independent trying to take their customers). You will very likely have an all-or-nothing decision when it comes to it.

Good advice!