P2 need advice

[2021pharm]

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I'm a current P2 looking for advice. I have a intern position at a common retail chain and I work every saturdays (9-6) for almost a year. But I've been trying many attempts to join a hospital setting. I'm in a very saturated area, so hospital positions are pretty competitive (whats new).

But recently a small private hospital near me opened its doors to hire ONE intern and out of like 80 applications, (pretty sure my whole class applied for the job). I got it! Very excited. It's not a big teaching hospital, no residency program, but its still something for me.

My only concern is can I handle two jobs? I don't know anyone who is working 2 jobs. I'm about to enter P3 and the classes are getting intense. I'm a average B-C student. I didn't have any interest in residency (mostly because I 100% don't have the grades for it). Is it something worth pursing? Should I cut back on something?

Any advice appreciated!

 

[mustang sally]

Well, do you really need to have two jobs? Not sure what the benefit of that would be (unless you are just dying to work at the retail chain after you graduate...in which case, why do the hospital internship?). If it were me, I would quit retail and do the hospital job (since you seem pretty excited about it).

 

[projektreverb]

Well, do you really need to have two jobs? Not sure what the benefit of that would be (unless you are just dying to work at the retail chain after you graduate...in which case, why do the hospital internship?). If it were me, I would quit retail and do the hospital job (since you seem pretty excited about it).

I get where you’re coming from and you’re not wrong. Here’s another perspective tho, I went the residency road and hate it. I had to quit from a retail intern job that I had three years with to pursue the residency. Because I want to go back to retail, my old company is a dead end and I’m likely going to have to take an offer with happy healthy or the three letters.

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

I'm a current P2 looking for advice. I have a intern position at a common retail chain and I work every saturdays (9-6) for almost a year. But I've been trying many attempts to join a hospital setting. I'm in a very saturated area, so hospital positions are pretty competitive (whats new).

But recently a small private hospital near me opened its doors to hire ONE intern and out of like 80 applications, (pretty sure my whole class applied for the job). I got it! Very excited. It's not a big teaching hospital, no residency program, but its still something for me.

My only concern is can I handle two jobs? I don't know anyone who is working 2 jobs. I'm about to enter P3 and the classes are getting intense. I'm a average B-C student. I didn't have any interest in residency (mostly because I 100% don't have the grades for it). Is it something worth pursing? Should I cut back on something?

Any advice appreciated!

I worked 2-3 jobs through most of pharmacy school and had a friend that consistently worked 3 for a while. Is there a way you could work 1-2 evening shifts per week?

You're in a similar position to that friend I have who worked 3 jobs. He initially quit the chain job for hospital and slowly realized that wasn't the track for him. Luckily was able to get his job back with the chain but I wouldn't necessarily recommend jumping ship if you can juggle both.

 

[Seriously Serious]

It's not about the number of jobs, it's about the hours you will work. I can work 40 jobs each an hour a week, or 1 job 40 hours a week. If grades are not a priority, then you should go for both jobs. Experience will be your strength after graduation.

 

[2021pharm]

It's not about the number of jobs, it's about the hours you will work. I can work 40 jobs each an hour a week, or 1 job 40 hours a week. If grades are not a priority, then you should go for both jobs. Experience will be your strength after graduation.

Yeah since grades isn't priority for me, I think I'm going to attempt both jobs and see how it goes. I'll keep my saturdays and add 1-2 closing shifts from the hospital. The hospital is aware of my retail job and school schedule, so hopefully it works out.

 

[2021pharm]

Well, do you really need to have two jobs? Not sure what the benefit of that would be (unless you are just dying to work at the retail chain after you graduate...in which case, why do the hospital internship?). If it were me, I would quit retail and do the hospital job (since you seem pretty excited about it).

Worst comes to worst I'll quit my retail job, but I wanted to network with both settings since who knows what kind of work I'll be getting when I graduate.

 

[Momus]

Do both. Manage your time well, you will be OK. Pharmacy is walk in the park for Bs.

 

[M0df]

I work retail. So for the next 1-2 months you are probably going to be trained for your hospital job as a tech/intern? By then it is May and you can figure things out easier. Retail job (if they are dumb) might not give you more hours in the summer since hours might be limited. You will be able to see based on the hours you can get/work at each place in the summer what will work for you.

Normally I would say quit your retail job but at this point, you are just buying time. You might go into that hospital and see that there is no chance for you to land there as a pharmacist and retail is your best bet. I look at it this way. If I was hiring for retail, would I hire someone who works hospital plus retail or someone who is fully committed to retail? Same question for hospital hiring process. Working 2 jobs for next 2 years might get you an interview in both settings but at some point, you will have to choose as the market is competitive.

 

[Rxaunt]

I never worked both jobs but i guess it just depends on work ethic etc. I worked only retail in school but i worked way more than one day a week. I probably averaged 3-4 days a week if I could. And I worked all the way through school even after rotations and on weekends P4 year. I wasnt the best student but I graduated with a 3.5 gpa so it is possible to work more than one day a week and do well in school. On the other hand scheduling could be your downfall if the hospital job ever wants you to be on the weekends. But since they know about the other job you should be fine. Another thing if doing both doesnt work out for you but you are torn about giving up the retail see if they want to keep you prn. I knew quite a few people that did hospital as their main job and retail prn and they were happy with that arrangement. Good luck

 

[rxkrafted]

I worked two jobs as intern position right after finishing my P1 year like you. About 1-2 five hour shifts after work during the weekdays for my retail internship and worked every weekend at the hospital (8-10 hour shifts). I started to cut back on hours as I progressed through pharmacy school, not because it was affecting my grades but because I wanted more time to enjoy life lol. I just worked as much as I could to gain their trust and was worth it because I got full time offers at both places to choose from after graduation. If you're disciplined enough, have good time management skills, and willing to sacrifice some social life, I would have its worth it for job security.

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

I'm a current P2 looking for advice. I have a intern position at a common retail chain and I work every saturdays (9-6) for almost a year. But I've been trying many attempts to join a hospital setting. I'm in a very saturated area, so hospital positions are pretty competitive (whats new).

But recently a small private hospital near me opened its doors to hire ONE intern and out of like 80 applications, (pretty sure my whole class applied for the job). I got it! Very excited. It's not a big teaching hospital, no residency program, but its still something for me.

My only concern is can I handle two jobs? I don't know anyone who is working 2 jobs. I'm about to enter P3 and the classes are getting intense. I'm a average B-C student. I didn't have any interest in residency (mostly because I 100% don't have the grades for it). Is it something worth pursing? Should I cut back on something?

Any advice appreciated!

Lol. Quit retail

 

[2021pharm]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I'm going to maintain both jobs and hope for a full time position from one of them when I graduate. I feel like networking is everything at this point so I can only hope for the best.