Kaiser vs Walmart

[Stealthdriver]

Hi, just joined this forum after receiving an offer this AM and even though I know the ultimate decision is mine, I still want to see what some third parties have to say about my current decision. Thanks ahead of time.

So I graduated from pharmacy school 5 years ago and have worked at Walmart for a total of 12 years until 3 months ago. When I moved to Hawaii there were no full time positions at Walmart available and after working part-time for a couple years I decided I needed to find a position where I could make some more money. I applied and received a position at Kaiser Permamente as a full time staff pharmacist. Now Walmart has contacted me about a full time position at my old store and I have a decision to make.

I really enjoy Kaiser, learning a lot more, having direct access to so much information, and direct contact with physicians and nurses. However, the hours/vacation are awful. I am now working 5 8-hour shifts mon-fri and am at the bottom of the seniority chain for vacation which you have to put a year in advance. At walmart, I work 4 10-hours shifts (that extra day a week on Maui is great) and I get almost any time I want off. But there are all the negative aspects of retail involved. The average day at Kaiser is more rewarding, but is it worth it if I can't travel freely? Oh and also a plus for walmart but not a huge one is an extra $5 per hour.

I think it comes down to "work to live vs, live to work".
Anyways, thanks for reading. I will enjoy any feedback. 🙂

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[ThunderThighs]

Wow how many pharmacists today can say they have a decision like this? Honestly, working 5 days a week would almost be a deal-breaker for me. One of the reasons why I'm excited to finally become a pharmacist is to work longer hours and fewer days.

But I'm confused -- I thought Walmart was a fairly decent place to work as a pharmacist? Can I ask why you don't enjoy working at Walmart? I work for a different chain and I would love to get a job at Walmart...

 

[Momus]

I'd go with Kaiser if I have the chance. In a year or two, no body will offer you a hospital position if you have no experience and you'd be stuck with retail forever... You are not going to be the newbie forever, Seniors die/retire, eventually you will be one.

 

[Stealthdriver]

Wow how many pharmacists today can say they have a decision like this? Honestly, working 5 days a week would almost be a deal-breaker for me. One of the reasons why I'm excited to finally become a pharmacist is to work longer hours and fewer days.

But I'm confused -- I thought Walmart was a fairly decent place to work as a pharmacist? Can I ask why you don't enjoy working at Walmart? I work for a different chain and I would love to get a job at Walmart...

Walmart isn't bad, it's just that it's retail. Clinic pharmacy is more rewarding and interesting.

 

[MatCauthon]

I think you might have more long-term options with Kaiser. Are you a pharmacist at the outpatient clinic? Is 5-days really that bad? 8-5 M-F? Come on, who has that schedule in pharmacy? You still ample time to enjoy the islands.

When you are at the bottom of the seniority tree, there are still opportunities for 3-4 day trips and weeks off in non-peak times. Non-peak times are some of the best and most affordable times to travel.

4 day weeks are nice as well, but 5-days aren't that bad-- especially with fixed shifts. My shifts are all over the place-- from early mornings to late nights. Inpatient pharmacists have it even worse.

Also, from what I know, Kaiser probably has much better benefits than Walmart (pension, etc). Plus you will probably end up making more at Kaiser once you build seniority.

 

[Stealthdriver]

My Kaiser shifts range from 7-4 to 12-9, so they are definitely all over the place. And I'm a big traveler so 3-4 days every now isn't what I'm looking for. But you are right that Kaiser is better in the long run in terms of benefits. But I just found out the Walmart shifts are 7 12s in a two week period which is very enticing. We shall see... But thanks for your reply!

 

[Unchained]

When people hear the word "Kaiser" they get all dreamy. It's really not all that. If the schedule doesn't fit your lifestyle don't do it. Most people would enjoy being stuck in their 100k+ job. WalMart isn't that bad and they will be around long after we're gone.

 

[BidingMyTime]

Wow, tough choice. So, you've only been with Kaiser 3 months....if you leave after that short of a time, you will probably be put on their "do not rehire" list, and it will look bad for any non-retail jobs you apply for in the future. At your age, its sometimes hard not to think of long-term results of decisions--ie, even though you may feel like you will always want to work for Wal-Mart now, that could change in the future. When I was younger, I "burned bridges" with short-sighted thinking, that I wish I hadn't, now that I'm an adult. Then again, I'm a believer in picking the job that best supports your lifestyle, which sounds like it is Wal-Mart.

If I were you, 5 years out of college, honestly, I would probably jump for Wal-Mart, and I would probably regret doing so 10 years down the road. Follow your intuition, but be very aware of the consequences of the choice you make.

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

I would stick with Kaiser if you find the position more rewarding. You will eventually be in seniority position or one of the managers. 7 12s sound enticing but my friends who do it, are drained at the end of each day and on their week off, the first day is recovery and the day prior is preparing. Then you spend a day/two running all the errands you could not run during your work week because all you do is work and sleep. Can be tough on relationships and family. Some people can make the schedule work but something to consider...

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

Is 5-days really that bad? 8-5 M-F? Come on, who has that schedule in pharmacy? You still ample time to enjoy the islands.

That is why staff acute care inpatient/retail/outpatient never interested me, I want nothing to do with working every other weekend or working evenings/nights, bla!

One of best parts of my clinical specialist position in my opinion are the hours: 8am to 5pm shifts with no weekends, no holidays and no on call. My buddies in managed care have this schedule also.