I'm only starting my P1 year in the fall, but I already have anxiety over the amount of debt I will have when I graduate. I was curious if it would be easy to get overtime when I graduate so that I could pay off the loans quicker. So is it easy to get overtime generally (I know, I know, it's location specific but just try to give me a general average answer about overtime)? Also, if I can't get overtime in my specific store would there be opportunities for me to "float" (I think that's the correct jargon word) and work some extra shifts at other stores?
Is it easy to get overtime anymore?
- Thread starter unevache
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To expand on Z's answer, it depends on the region...
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I think Aznfarmerboi said he does a lot of overtime in the NYC area.
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You haven't even started school yet so I wouldn't get to worked up over your chances for overtime once you graduate. Probably a 1000 things you could worry about at this stage before you get to your chances for overtime once you graduate.
It is however smart to worry about your debt. Worry about managing your debt right now. Worry about getting overtime right now and working as much as you can so your debt isn't to bad once you graduate.
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Yeah you probably won't be able to get ample amounts of OT unless you float to a really bad/ghetto area. Even than, if I were a manager looking at a surplus, the first thing i'd cut is OT and start hiring a bunch of people PT w/out benefits or per-diem and float the hell out of them.
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Like everyone else says, it does depend on the region. I just graduated and was wanting to relocate to Dallas. I didn't apply early, and all the pharmacy companies only take in a limited number of graduates even though they still post job openings in the area. They are looking for pharmacists with at least 1 year of experience. I ended up getting a job back home in rural Kansas and they want me to work overtime where I'll be making time and a half. My best advice is when you graduate, live with your parents and for a year to work off your debt.
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I will trade places with you. I'd love to move back to Kansas. I know of a couple retail jobs in Dallas/Ft. Worth. Do you have any management experience?
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Let's define Overtime. Overtime is hours worked beyond 40-42 hours per week for an employer where you are likely paid a time and half the regular rate. This... you won't find in hospitals. Also, I can't imagine why a retail chain would allow this when they have floaters looking for hours.
Could you find another job and work additional hours at a regular rate? Possibly.
Could you find another job and work additional hours at a regular rate? Possibly.
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In Northern NJ overtime is practically non-existent in hospitals, per diem positions on the other hand are still to be found for the time being, however with the way things are going and the fact that openings for full-time positions are becoming a rarity those per diem hours are likely to get soaked up by grads soon.
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I know some floaters set their own rules... (i.e: to not drive more than 30 miles, not work in that store) then, the scheduler will have to find someone else who wants the shift.
Then, when no one wants to pick up the shifts... They start cold calling staff rph to work overtime or give the shift to pharmacists from temp agencies who gets paid quite a lot too ~$70/hour...
Then, when no one wants to pick up the shifts... They start cold calling staff rph to work overtime or give the shift to pharmacists from temp agencies who gets paid quite a lot too ~$70/hour...
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Not true...
Pharmacist fall in:
28% tax bracket,
10% CA state tax (highest in country)
6.2% Social security up to $106,800 (Overtime - you will make more therefore eliminating this tax altogether)
1.45% Medicare
With some deductions, no house, no wife, no kids.. your effective tax rate would usually be around ~35%
So every $1 you make, you get 65cents...
$60/hour base. Overtime = $90/hour
Work 8 hour... $90X8X65% = $468 - You get $450 working just 1 day overtime... I could definitely use additional $450. That pays for my rent for 1 month!
However, the sweet thing is if you hit the 12-14 hour shift = $700-820/day. Now, we are talking...
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ok my bad, let me rephrase. where i work it aint worth it. it's not time and a half, its about $5 over the regular rate last time i did it
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I do float work in retail (I'm a hosptial pharmacist) and it's increasingly harder to find shifts unless they are in the middle of nowhere (i.e. rural ND).
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Easy...no
possible...yes
And each yr I believe it will get harder as more and more grads enter the market.
Eventually, I think it will be hard to even get a job much less overtime.....
I dont think the increased number needed for more insured under Obama or to replace those retiring will be enough jobs for the massive amount of new grads.
And once supply is greater than demand, watch salaries come down too...
possible...yes
And each yr I believe it will get harder as more and more grads enter the market.
Eventually, I think it will be hard to even get a job much less overtime.....
I dont think the increased number needed for more insured under Obama or to replace those retiring will be enough jobs for the massive amount of new grads.
And once supply is greater than demand, watch salaries come down too...
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Try not to give away who I am buddy! Lol, you will be surprise who are on these boards. (Not a lot of pharmacists work OT in our area... 😉 )With that said, it depends.
Easy..., no.
However there will always be circumstances where a RPH quits or get fired, call in sick, etc. Also OT is easier to get during certain times of the year like during the holidays around Christmas.
In terms of OT back then, it was worth it. They give you free hours for commute or as an incentive to go in. Now a days, you get a pitty differential of 6 dollars more. For certain chains like Walgreens, no OT is permitted.
Maybe that's your experience, but I work in a nice area and get OT every time I ask. It's definitely worth it. Each shift I pick up ends up netting about $4-500 per check and that really adds up. If you want OT, make sure your market scheduler and/or district supervisor knows that you're willing to cover shifts. If you say no when they call, they'll start asking someone else first.
