Opinion on job

[Stella14]

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Currently working overnights in an extremely tough market . Only rph verifying for 3 hospitals . Non stop stressful . 7 on 7 off. 11.5 hour shifts , not the usual 10. Since November 4 techs and 3 rph quit. Including my overnight tech . No residency or BCPS and 35 people applied for the position I just started in the fall. Also had to sell my home and move to apartment for job . Very very stressful and probably unsustainable , but job security bc no one wants spot there and it’s crazy busy and very long shifts with no down time.

Good chance if I interviewed for a new position 7 on 7 off near where I had my Home ( preferred area) I would be offered job.
However I would be second pharmacist added. 2 on each week and it is only 10 hour shifts , but in LTC. I’m assuming $10-15/less an hour ( just a guess), but less stress /another rph/ nicer area. Problem is I don’t feel LTC is that stable and there are no jobs in my area unless you are younger and a specialist .

Would you take the risk and go for new job and hold out to see if another overnight hospital job opens up? Possibility it would look bad going from hospital to LTC and then trying to get Back into hospital if LTC closed or let 2 of the 4 overnighters go.

I am older , market is bad, current job unsustainable long term. Single/breadwinner.

Serious , helpful thoughts please.

Feel as if I am one job away from losing career as it is with market,etc. don’t want to make a mistake .

Thanks


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[johnpharm01]

Currently working overnights in an extremely tough market . Only rph verifying for 3 hospitals . Non stop stressful . 7 on 7 off. 11.5 hour shifts , not the usual 10. Since November 4 techs and 3 rph quit. Including my overnight tech . No residency or BCPS and 35 people applied for the position I just started in the fall. Also had to sell my home and move to apartment for job . Very very stressful and probably unsustainable , but job security bc no one wants spot there and it’s crazy busy and very long shifts with no down time.

Good chance if I interviewed for a new position 7 on 7 off near where I had my Home ( preferred area) I would be offered job.
However I would be second pharmacist added. 2 on each week and it is only 10 hour shifts , but in LTC. I’m assuming $10-15/less an hour ( just a guess), but less stress /another rph/ nicer area. Problem is I don’t feel LTC is that stable and there are no jobs in my area unless you are younger and a specialist .

Would you take the risk and go for new job and hold out to see if another overnight hospital job opens up? Possibility it would look bad going from hospital to LTC and then trying to get Back into hospital if LTC closed or let 2 of the 4 overnighters go.

I am older , market is bad, current job unsustainable long term. Single/breadwinner.

Serious , helpful thoughts please.

Feel as if I am one job away from losing career as it is with market,etc. don’t want to make a mistake .

Thanks


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Are they planning to replace the other RPhs that quit?

 

[UGAZ]

take the new job....

 

[priormatt]

that's will be nice to take a new job. 🙂

 

[Melazine]

Tough one. No doubt pharmacy field is worse for the older generations. I spoke to a few older pharmacists about something similiar, my conclusion is that: it all depends on when you want to retire, if you plan to tune it down a little, and assuming that the LTC is not going to be closed down anytime soon. The older pharmacists (40's and 70's) I encountered had rougher learning curves, since and everything are different from the time they graduated. The older pharmacists in our hospital, one was let go not long after hiring, while the other one switched from full time to part time. Even though he is still here, our female co-workers tend to stab him in the back, complaining that he isn't as fast at learning new things, and he should be switched out. These are some things to consider. It does sound like a good opportunity although there's a pay difference.

 

[M0df]

Everything has a price as far as being under constant stress. You should, if you haven't, at least apply for that new opening and see where it goes. People overthink what may or may not happen. LTC will have plenty of applicants who are willing to take a chance on your perceived lack of stability in LTC.

 

[lord999]

I'd hate to go against the "better work life quality" modern trend, but I think you should stay at the unsustainable job for the reasons cited here. You're in a job right now that has security because it's dangerous to be. You actually other job should be figuring out how to get more resources and help or to promote internally after the sunk cost. Job hopping is a tight labor market is walking a tightrope that most fall off.

"job security bc no one wants spot there "

Well, I'd be surprised that it's that way in a tight labor market, but if that's the case and you know that there's job security, then take it. But don't self-delude yourself on the fundamentals, if there is competition, then it's a hard decision.

By the way, the way you framed this problem, you're motivated to go and are looking for something else. You might want to think about your gut instinct. I tend to advise people to trust their instincts as it takes into account factors that you cannot put in words but is relevant nevertheless.

 

[johnpharm01]

Currently working overnights in an extremely tough market . Only rph verifying for 3 hospitals . Non stop stressful . 7 on 7 off. 11.5 hour shifts , not the usual 10. Since November 4 techs and 3 rph quit. Including my overnight tech . No residency or BCPS and 35 people applied for the position I just started in the fall. Also had to sell my home and move to apartment for job . Very very stressful and probably unsustainable , but job security bc no one wants spot there and it’s crazy busy and very long shifts with no down time.

Good chance if I interviewed for a new position 7 on 7 off near where I had my Home ( preferred area) I would be offered job.
However I would be second pharmacist added. 2 on each week and it is only 10 hour shifts , but in LTC. I’m assuming $10-15/less an hour ( just a guess), but less stress /another rph/ nicer area. Problem is I don’t feel LTC is that stable and there are no jobs in my area unless you are younger and a specialist .

Would you take the risk and go for new job and hold out to see if another overnight hospital job opens up? Possibility it would look bad going from hospital to LTC and then trying to get Back into hospital if LTC closed or let 2 of the 4 overnighters go.

I am older , market is bad, current job unsustainable long term. Single/breadwinner.

Serious , helpful thoughts please.

Feel as if I am one job away from losing career as it is with market,etc. don’t want to make a mistake .

Thanks


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I am still curious as to whether they will be hiring other staff, but this job has some eerily familiar aspects to my last position. I was only RPh, other RPh had quit, tech left, other tech fired. When that many people leave, it says something. Whats interesting is that its in hospital where many retailers would die to go. What else is interesting is that they had many applicants, but presumably 2 openings are still left. I find it difficult to believe that there wasn't a single qualified applicant that they could bring on. As long as you keep up with the workload, they probably won't hire someone you are saving them multiple salaries.

For now I would be careful not to overwork myself. I would also interview with LTC, get an offer. As long as the money will pay your bills, I would leave.

I quit my last position being in decent financial shape. I am middle aged and realized this maybe my last pharmacy position too. I have gotten a few interviews, one offer (contract) which I turned down. I am tired off agonizing over job problems. My job should make my life happen, not hold me back.

 

[Stella14]

So job at long term care is going from one overnight pharmacist a week to 2 per week.
My current hospital job is one overnight ( me) covering 3 hospitals each close to 200 beds a piece. The people at my hospital are quitting bc management isn’t listening. The person I replaced was there over 20 years , another over 10, tech over 15, etc. people have complained to HR and basically was told if you don’t like it leave . We have no problems hiring pharmacists ... yes bc over supply in Chicago area. Yes, they are interviewing but would not take anyone from retail . We have 15-20 Pharmacy residents in our hospital system . They want residencies and BCPS. I by passed that bc of experience and night position.

I guess I should apply to LTC job and see what happens. They might not want me bc they think I will be more expensive with experience , when they can somewhat get a good retail person in there to work shift for much cheaper . The person I spoke with last night said he was there 3 years and left retail for job. I too left retail to do year LTC overnight, they stopped 24 hour operation , then got into hospital from there .

Current hospital job had one overnighter for each of three hospitals . They decided to save money and have one cover all 3 at night. It is insane and not safe . I have epic , but covering 3 EDs and 3 ICUs. Level 2 hospitals and still do clinical work so not just click click click . Plus 11.5 hour shifts.
Just don’t want to wind up having a breakdown with current job or jobless if LTC didn’t work out /lost business, etc.

I am 15-20 years from retiring financially and solo. No inheritances, other income , paid off house , etc. had some medical issues so paying some bills .


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[Stella14]

They could fill my current hospital overnight spot with an experienced pharmacist , easily bc 35 people applied when I was offered job . You think how bad could it be ... going from 10 hours to 11.5 hour shifts and must not be that busy bc who would allow covering 3 hospitals. I needed a full time position and am a career overnight pharmacist so I took it.
They are planning on hiring for all open positions , but I fear this might be a revolving door type place until they get their act together. They lost a lot of long term employees due to changes made over past few years before I got there.

As far as LTC , I’m sure there will be a ton of applicants . Anyone and everyone bc retail people /new grads could qualify . It might look odd going from so much hospital to LTC , but I guess I could say I want to move back to area I was in and I guess have to admit my job sucks . It might look fishy why I’d want to leave hospital for LTC ?
Main concern is not wanting to waste my time interviewing if I would not take job . Just don’t want to be out of one permanently if I made the move bc I did 1 year LTC overnight in past and they cut the overnight shift (2007) altogether . Overnighter I talked to there said they are expanding their business, but if things don’t go well it’s easy to go from 2 overnighters a week to 1.
Where I am at now we need at least 2 overnighters to cover 3 hospitals .


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[johnpharm01]

They could fill my current hospital overnight spot with an experienced pharmacist , easily bc 35 people applied when I was offered job . You think how bad could it be ... going from 10 hours to 11.5 hour shifts and must not be that busy bc who would allow covering 3 hospitals. I needed a full time position and am a career overnight pharmacist so I took it.
They are planning on hiring for all open positions , but I fear this might be a revolving door type place until they get their act together. They lost a lot of long term employees due to changes made over past few years before I got there.

As far as LTC , I’m sure there will be a ton of applicants . Anyone and everyone bc retail people /new grads could qualify . It might look odd going from so much hospital to LTC , but I guess I could say I want to move back to area I was in and I guess have to admit my job sucks . It might look fishy why I’d want to leave hospital for LTC ?
Main concern is not wanting to waste my time interviewing if I would not take job . Just don’t want to be out of one permanently if I made the move bc I did 1 year LTC overnight in past and they cut the overnight shift (2007) altogether . Overnighter I talked to there said they are expanding their business, but if things don’t go well it’s easy to go from 2 overnighters a week to 1.
Where I am at now we need at least 2 overnighters to cover 3 hospitals .


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I have never worked hospital or LTC, but I believe you would know your workload. What happens when you make a very serious error because you are overworked. People won't listen to the circumstances, you might get fired, then try to get hired then.

I would explain your job that you enjoy both areas of pharmacy, the night shift and working for the best possible, high performing organization. If LTC company is expanding and management is acquiring more resources its is a much better managed organization.

 

[priormatt]

Everything has a price as far as being under constant stress. You should, if you haven't, at least apply for that new opening and see where it goes. People overthink what may or may not happen. LTC will have plenty of applicants who are willing to take a chance on your perceived lack of stability in LTC.

Yeah, you are right. Everyone should try for a position.

 

[lane one]

1RPh for 600 patient beds? No way that's gonna work.

 

[BidingMyTime]

Well, saying that you are in Chicago changes everything. I would apply for the LTC job, it doesn't hurt to apply, and it will give you more information on deciding if you want to change. How long have you been at your current job?

Along with Lord999, I would be very hesitant to switch jobs, because Chicago is a super-saturated market. Probably the most saturated place in the country, outside of the tri-state area. Think SIX pharmacy schools in Chicago. It's crazy. And switching to a new job, is always a risk.

Still, you don't want to stay at a job that is dangerously overworked. But if it seems things will eventually get better, I would try to ride it out. But I would still apply at the LTC job, you need more information on it, so you can make a better comparison.