- Joined
- Feb 9, 2006
- Messages
- 569
- Reaction score
- 163
Hi guys,
In 2012, I graduated pharm school. I didnt start working until 2013. I worked @ a big chain, supposedly a “better company”.
I worked really hard early on (like I have my whole life), to make sure I’d be on pace to climb the corporate ladder. I was one of “those” in pharmacy school. You know the guy or gal that was extremely ambitious, and got more excited about business/law/policy of pharmacy, more than residency, or clinical pharm stuff.
Fastforward to 2016. I have my dream store. Im getting ready to make my next move, either move up in the company, or go back to school to change careers. And all of a sudden a bomb is dropped on my world. My boss (DM), steps down. She’s my mentor, my colleague, and my friend. She’s a pharmacist. So she’s on my team.
She’s temporarily replaced by a non-pharmacist, and within 3 months my reputation goes from a market leading pharmacist, to a trouble maker. Her “problems” she cited within my pharmacy, whom Ive served for almost 3 years, was inaccurate in my opinion, and not suitable for my patients. So, I did what a trouble maker would. I calmly, and in a very detailed but respectful manner told her why her ideas might not be most suitable to my (mostly non-english speaking, uninsured, and low income) patients.
She responded weeks later by cold calling me into an office with another manager, and writing me up. Her rational for writing me up? She retaliated by watching the cameras for several days, and found a day where I didn’t double count a C-2 before dispensing it. This was her way to keep me in line. Things went downhill after this.
A new permanent DM came in, which she trained. He came in from another country, and was also not a pharmacist. Same story. Within 2 months, he's telling me how to take care of my patients whom I had amazing relations with, identifying new problems within the pharmacy that were never problematic prior. Also needless to say, it didn't end well.
I worked anywhere from between 45-65 hours EVERY WEEK. The pharmacy opens at 9, I’m supposed to be there at 8:30 (even though I would leave late on a daily basis), but sometimes I’d get there at 8:40, or 8:45. This time, his retaliation method was even more clever. Called into an office, and I found out completely shockingly that I’m now demoted from my pharmacy (im also a member of the community as I lived 5 minutes from the store). I caught on to the camera thing, so I was sharp, making sure the camera caught me always displaying perfect behavior. What he did, was he on his own regard checked the pharmacy alarm timers to see when I came in. Even with all of my proof of overtime on a weekly basis, I was demoted, and made a float pharmacist.
Now, this could be seen in many ways. Me being defiant, or not following rules, or whatever. But if you want to get rid of someone, sure it might take awhile, but select any silly, and sneaky method to do it, and it’ll be done in no time. But, this for me is more of a righteous thing. I loved my patients so much, that Id stay late everyday, help team up with my staff (whom I was also loved and highly regarded by) to make sure they left on time. But this, this is the problem with pharmacy in the first place. Who’s really running the pharmacy? Is it pharmacist? Or people whom have petty, and unrelated agendas to patient care?
Shortly after I was demoted (a week later) I had vacation. Prior to the minute of leaving for that vacation I put in my two weeks as my vacation was two weeks. That was the end of my career with the company. It hurt really bad. I hadn’t run across too many people that worked as hard, and as consistent as me to take care of their patients, as they felt it was an obligatory duty, to provide the best patient care they could.
2 years later, I’m at a top 3 university in the country for a masters program. I own a technology startup, and Im applying for internships with some of the most sought after companies in America. Please don’t forget how smart you are. How YOU have the Doctorate degree. How your patients are loyal to YOU. How hard you worked for YOUR degree. And most important of all, don’t forget your WORTH. Times are tough for pharmacist, and unfortunately, it’s not even a struggle anymore. “They” are taking over our profession.
I’m far from perfect (see below). But, I work hard, and if you’re still reading this, I want you to know, that I know you work hard too. Someone somewhere values your efforts, be it your patients, or your staff, so keep your head high, and don’t let these companies abuse you. You’ve worked diligently to be a well respected professional. Don’t ever let anyone take that from you.
A year and a half Later (last week). I got two messages from two former colleagues within the same week, telling me how poorly run the pharmacy had become, and that they missed me, and the DM’s didn’t know what they were doing. Also, they’re now looking for their 3rd manager in 16 months (I was there for 3 years, and thriving). I sent an email to (both) my former DM’s (see below), just for some closure. It’s okay to judge me (I could not care less). May the force be with you, friends!
In 2012, I graduated pharm school. I didnt start working until 2013. I worked @ a big chain, supposedly a “better company”.
I worked really hard early on (like I have my whole life), to make sure I’d be on pace to climb the corporate ladder. I was one of “those” in pharmacy school. You know the guy or gal that was extremely ambitious, and got more excited about business/law/policy of pharmacy, more than residency, or clinical pharm stuff.
Fastforward to 2016. I have my dream store. Im getting ready to make my next move, either move up in the company, or go back to school to change careers. And all of a sudden a bomb is dropped on my world. My boss (DM), steps down. She’s my mentor, my colleague, and my friend. She’s a pharmacist. So she’s on my team.
She’s temporarily replaced by a non-pharmacist, and within 3 months my reputation goes from a market leading pharmacist, to a trouble maker. Her “problems” she cited within my pharmacy, whom Ive served for almost 3 years, was inaccurate in my opinion, and not suitable for my patients. So, I did what a trouble maker would. I calmly, and in a very detailed but respectful manner told her why her ideas might not be most suitable to my (mostly non-english speaking, uninsured, and low income) patients.
She responded weeks later by cold calling me into an office with another manager, and writing me up. Her rational for writing me up? She retaliated by watching the cameras for several days, and found a day where I didn’t double count a C-2 before dispensing it. This was her way to keep me in line. Things went downhill after this.
A new permanent DM came in, which she trained. He came in from another country, and was also not a pharmacist. Same story. Within 2 months, he's telling me how to take care of my patients whom I had amazing relations with, identifying new problems within the pharmacy that were never problematic prior. Also needless to say, it didn't end well.
I worked anywhere from between 45-65 hours EVERY WEEK. The pharmacy opens at 9, I’m supposed to be there at 8:30 (even though I would leave late on a daily basis), but sometimes I’d get there at 8:40, or 8:45. This time, his retaliation method was even more clever. Called into an office, and I found out completely shockingly that I’m now demoted from my pharmacy (im also a member of the community as I lived 5 minutes from the store). I caught on to the camera thing, so I was sharp, making sure the camera caught me always displaying perfect behavior. What he did, was he on his own regard checked the pharmacy alarm timers to see when I came in. Even with all of my proof of overtime on a weekly basis, I was demoted, and made a float pharmacist.
Now, this could be seen in many ways. Me being defiant, or not following rules, or whatever. But if you want to get rid of someone, sure it might take awhile, but select any silly, and sneaky method to do it, and it’ll be done in no time. But, this for me is more of a righteous thing. I loved my patients so much, that Id stay late everyday, help team up with my staff (whom I was also loved and highly regarded by) to make sure they left on time. But this, this is the problem with pharmacy in the first place. Who’s really running the pharmacy? Is it pharmacist? Or people whom have petty, and unrelated agendas to patient care?
Shortly after I was demoted (a week later) I had vacation. Prior to the minute of leaving for that vacation I put in my two weeks as my vacation was two weeks. That was the end of my career with the company. It hurt really bad. I hadn’t run across too many people that worked as hard, and as consistent as me to take care of their patients, as they felt it was an obligatory duty, to provide the best patient care they could.
2 years later, I’m at a top 3 university in the country for a masters program. I own a technology startup, and Im applying for internships with some of the most sought after companies in America. Please don’t forget how smart you are. How YOU have the Doctorate degree. How your patients are loyal to YOU. How hard you worked for YOUR degree. And most important of all, don’t forget your WORTH. Times are tough for pharmacist, and unfortunately, it’s not even a struggle anymore. “They” are taking over our profession.
I’m far from perfect (see below). But, I work hard, and if you’re still reading this, I want you to know, that I know you work hard too. Someone somewhere values your efforts, be it your patients, or your staff, so keep your head high, and don’t let these companies abuse you. You’ve worked diligently to be a well respected professional. Don’t ever let anyone take that from you.
A year and a half Later (last week). I got two messages from two former colleagues within the same week, telling me how poorly run the pharmacy had become, and that they missed me, and the DM’s didn’t know what they were doing. Also, they’re now looking for their 3rd manager in 16 months (I was there for 3 years, and thriving). I sent an email to (both) my former DM’s (see below), just for some closure. It’s okay to judge me (I could not care less). May the force be with you, friends!
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