Guys, do you know what are the pros and cons of working for an independent pharmacy vs chain pharmacy? I work for a chain right now but I wonder if I work for an independent will be better in terms of work environment, quality of life, etc.. If you had the opportunity to choose one over the other, which one would you choose and why?
Thanks in advance
Every job has advantages and disadvantages, unfortunately experience is the only thing that will tell you what is right for you. I love working in the independent setting, but at the same time I am working torwards ownign my own store so I am very "into" running my store.
The owner of my store is pretty much "checking out" and gives me the freedom to pretty much do whatever I want. I don't have to deal with the Corporate BS that comes along with working for a chain and I can do things the way I want to do them. I don't have some Douche Bag DM who is not a pharmacist telling me where I can put my trash can.
With that being said, there are certainly some frustrations working in an independent. Unless your independent is incredibly successful, there is not as much cash-flow, so you may experience using some out-of-date technology and equipment, because if it ain't broke dont fix it. So it can be difficult when you know there are things out there that can make things better, but the owner doesn't want to fork over the cash to make the changes. Some owners can be wishy-washy about things, nothing is as official as it is in the corporate world. When you get hired on to a Chain you get a formal offer showing all of the details of your employement, while in an independent you make get verbal offer and a handshake. There is certainly a lot more security in the corporate world, at least in terms of knowing what you are getting into. The benefits and pay are usually better in the chains, but the hours are better in the independent setting.
I like the staff I work with in the independent, no floaters, low turn around and you really get a sense of who you are working with and how they work. More of a team maybe? Some chains with low turn-around probably have a similar experience.
I hope this helps a bit, unfortunately no advice replaces experience so get out there and feel things out. Good Luck!
