Pharmacist Salary Thread

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Well, I have worked in retail before and I don't mind it that much, I was really helping out a friend by working at the hospital.
 
DoctorRx1986 said:
I have no concrete evidence to back myself up and this is just my opinion, but I don't think pharmacists will EVER make that low of a salary, $40 k per year. Why? Considering the cost of a pharmacy education and that tuition and educational expenses continue to rise, who in their right mind would even bother attending school for six to eight years and get into massive debt to become a pharmacist only to make $40 k? It wouldn't be reasonable. Just about NO ONE would do it. Doctoral level/professional career merits a higher than average salary; if the salary were really that low, then educational requirements to get into the field and tuition expenses should decrease accordingly; however, this never happens. While supply and demand is the major determinant of salary for a professional in any discipline, one also has to consider the correlation between more schooling and salary. Generally, the more education you have, the more you usually make and vice versa. Keyword: "Generally". What incentive is there when students realize there is no point in pursuing so much education if you are not going to be well compensated at the end of the journey?
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It could happen if new schools keep popping up. If there are X amount of pharmacists graduating and looking for jobs, but there are only Y amount of openings than the salary will drop and could drop to 40k after all its better to make 40k a year than be the X-Y population that does NOT have a job at all.
 
DoctorRx1986 said:
You know, I don't quite understand why some people say $100 k a year is not that high of a salary relative to the cost of living in NYC or in general. I would think $100 k is definitely a high income considering that most people in the United States will never make that kind of money. The median income in the US is what? about $35,000-40 k? As a pharmacist, you can make nearly three times what your average joe would make. If the average joe "survives", what makes anyone even doubt he or she would not be financially empowered to live the kind of life they'd like to live?

There are many people who make far less than $100 k/year and they have mortgages of their own. Making a pharmacist's salary puts you in the top 10-15% of the US population, so you are definitely well off. Hell, even if salaries did drop to 40 dollars per hour (which translates into nearly 80 k per year), you are still well above average in terms of financial freedom. From a sociological standpoint on the generic "middle class", if you'd like to divide the middle class into the "lower middle class", "middle class", and "upper middle class", pharmacists are undoubtedly part of the latter group.

Further, what is it with the talk about NYC and the salary? Once again, millions of people live in NYC and manage to survive somehow; again, few people make $100 k or more. As a matter of fact, I am a New Yorker (though I'm a pharmacy student in Florida) and my mother makes $65 k a year and is quite comfortable, so I don't know what anyone is talking about. The point is, on a pharmacist's salary, you will enjoy the finer things in life and that is a privilege most people will never have unless they marry a rich partner or win the lottery and as long as you don't decide to pop out more than 2 children. You really want to enjoy life yet have a child? Just have one child and you'll have more money for your pleasure; that's what i'm planning on doing...
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$100K in NYC? Not if you're living in Manhattan. With $100K, you're not going to be able to have an apartment in Midtown, drive a BMW M3, pay for the insurance, pay for the parking, higher food costs etc.

Forget Manhattan, let's move to Long Island. Houses still are expensive, taxes in Nassau County are highest in the nation.

Basically, $100K in NYC is not going to give you an extravagant lifestyle. You're not upper class with $100K in NYC. Move down to Texas, New Mexico, then yeah, $100K, you're good.
 
I hate when people say that whoever doing pharmacy is MONEY DRIVEN and then they make STUPID threads to expose all the money driven people. But it takes at least 6 years to become a pharmacist and over 100k in school debt. Pharmacy School is very challenging. Why are u going through all that for 45k. Would people still become doctors if they only made 45k? Its SIMPLY NOT WORTH IT!

Anyway, I wouldnt do it because thats not enough to raise a family on. The 6years of grueling school isnt worth it.
 
THE MTL said:
I hate when people say that whoever doing pharmacy is MONEY DRIVEN and then they make STUPID threads to expose all the money driven people. But it takes at least 6 years to become a pharmacist and over 100k in school debt. Pharmacy School is very challenging. Why are u going through all that for 45k. Would people still become doctors if they only made 45k? Its SIMPLY NOT WORTH IT!

Anyway, I wouldnt do it because thats not enough to raise a family on. The 6years of grueling school isnt worth it.
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👍 People go into pharmacy for the clean/indoor working enviroment, fairly stable job, etc. The money is okay, not a lot but you won't be poor either.
 
Passion4Sci said:
I don't mind blood, guts or gore really. You get over that really fast in the Army heh.
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How can you be okay with blood, guts and gore, but be grossed out by dentistry?? In fact I hear a lot of people MDs especially say that they can look at and touch someone's guts, but the mouth gross them out! I don't get it. But thats maybe b/c I am gross out by all of the above. :laugh: So pharmacy is the RIGHT FIELD FOR ME! 😍
 
I remember hearing one pharmacist talk about when he started working the pay was only $6/hour. Now he is making $46/hour. I hope this trend continues...
 
I have been bombarded here before, but this is where I can get the most updated information .So, here it goes.
I graduated and got a job at CVS. They have a standard graduate intern rate .All the interns are paid $42.41,but every intern is offered a different salary as a pharmacist based on God knows what.
I'll have an interview with the DM next week to touch up about any concern we may have. It's going to be 3 interns at the time.
The conditional job offer I signed has a pharmacist salary on it .But , I have learned that other interns have different numbers there .How can I know if I'm getting a good deal?
For what I know one of them was offered more, and I have no way to know the others. The rate is about $50 /h but I will work overnight.
Any advice from people that know about this will be appreciated.
 
gustavo32 said:
I have been bombarded here before, but this is where I can get the most updated information .So, here it goes.
I graduated and got a job at CVS. They have a standard graduate intern rate .All the interns are paid $42.41,but every intern is offered a different salary as a pharmacist based on God knows what.
I’ll have an interview with the DM next week to touch up about any concern we may have. It’s going to be 3 interns at the time.
The conditional job offer I signed has a pharmacist salary on it .But , I have learned that other interns have different numbers there .How can I know if I’m getting a good deal?
For what I know one of them was offered more, and I have no way to know the others. The rate is about $50 /h but I will work overnight.
Any advice from people that know about this will be appreciated.
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If you are making 42.41 as a graduate intern, your pharmacist wage should be 56 dollars assuming that you are getting paid 3/4th pharmacist salary. In terms of getting a good deal or not, it is subjective. If you are willing to take a needy store, you should get paid more. Just keep in mind that once you offer to take a busier store or an overnight shift, it is a REAL COMMITMENT. There is no way in hell you can get out of it since there will be no replacement.

Other interns should pretty much have the same wage in an area. What might differ is the amount of hours they give you. A contract with 44 hours versus 30 hours can make the numbers look really different. Working overnight has a premium pay of about 10 percent... or 5-6 dollars extra.
 
Another thing is in the long run, a dollar here and there does not make a difference. A dollar comes out to about 1k after taxes. What does make a difference are benefits such as 401k match, paid vacation, etc.
 
Different districts pay their pharmacists different amounts. The amount can depend on cost of living, demand, etc. The Milwaukee districts pay their pharmacists about $2k more than the Chicago districts because of demand.
 
The average that I've been seeing is about $53 an hour, depending on your area.
 
Thanks for the input.
They were offering 53 to new pharmacists last year.Overall there is not much that I can do to change that since unfortunatelly the demand for pharmacists in this area has gone down to the point that cvs is the only one recruiting.
 
gustavo32 said:
Thanks for the input.
They were offering 53 to new pharmacists last year.Overall there is not much that I can do to change that since unfortunatelly the demand for pharmacists in this area has gone down to the point that cvs is the only one recruiting.
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That seems very competitive. As per my experience, I am hearing that there is low demand in major metropolitan areas in the east coast. Plus being in the recession doesn't help the salary raises.
 
$29 per hour. Salaries are decreasing drastically for pharmacists in some parts of the country beginning for 2009 graduates. According to the pharmacist I used to work with at Duane Reade in NY, new graduates are having a hard time finding employment and when they do, the average is about $29 and change per hour.
 
DoctorRx1986 said:
$29 per hour. Salaries are decreasing drastically for pharmacists in some parts of the country beginning for 2009 graduates. According to the pharmacist I used to work with at Duane Reade in NY, new graduates are having a hard time finding employment and when they do, the average is about $29 and change per hour.
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nice! better stay a grad intern for as long as possible before having your pay cut!!
 
DoctorRx1986 said:
$29 per hour. Salaries are decreasing drastically for pharmacists in some parts of the country beginning for 2009 graduates. According to the pharmacist I used to work with at Duane Reade in NY, new graduates are having a hard time finding employment and when they do, the average is about $29 and change per hour.
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$29/hr is about $60K assuming you can get full time hours. New grads here are working prn and part-time and are not getting many hours. I haven't heard of any drops down to $29/hr but I know new grads getting $40/hr as hospital staff. I guess this is what happens when there are 120 schools open in the middle of a recession and 3/4 of the profession are old BPharms without much initial investment.
 
Aznfarmerboi said:
If you are making 42.41 as a graduate intern, your pharmacist wage should be 56 dollars assuming that you are getting paid 3/4th pharmacist salary. In terms of getting a good deal or not, it is subjective. If you are willing to take a needy store, you should get paid more. Just keep in mind that once you offer to take a busier store or an overnight shift, it is a REAL COMMITMENT. There is no way in hell you can get out of it since there will be no replacement.

Other interns should pretty much have the same wage in an area. What might differ is the amount of hours they give you. A contract with 44 hours versus 30 hours can make the numbers look really different. Working overnight has a premium pay of about 10 percent... or 5-6 dollars extra.
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A CVS pharmacist said grad inter gets 1/2 pharm salary. I refused to bend over....
 
DoctorRx1986 said:
$29 per hour. Salaries are decreasing drastically for pharmacists in some parts of the country beginning for 2009 graduates. According to the pharmacist I used to work with at Duane Reade in NY, new graduates are having a hard time finding employment and when they do, the average is about $29 and change per hour.
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i would like proof of that statement. that is almost what you make as resident. i just spoke with someone who's friend JUST got a job at Duane Read in NY and she is making $56 an hour. so where are you getting this 29 dollar figure from?
 
PharmaTope said:
i would like proof of that statement. that is almost what you make as resident. i just spoke with someone who's friend JUST got a job at Duane Read in NY and she is making $56 an hour. so where are you getting this 29 dollar figure from?
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She better hold on to it with dear life!!!
If you look at the website for hospital pharmacists (Long Island College Hospital, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York Eye & Ear - and two other adjourning hospitals) starting salary 0-3 yr. experience is $77,000 & change. Doesn't go up too drastically with time either! Although the benefits are really good, they don't help pay your tuition debt.
If anyone is only in it for the money, they're in for a rude awakening!
In the meantime, pharmacy schools should reduce their tuition rates so that future pharmacists can afford to pay their loans back before retirement age:laugh:
 
BavarianMWE46 said:
http://wehealny-employment.com/pharmacist_benefits.html

This is equivalent to about $39.50 per hour. I know a nurse with online masters degree making this much.
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Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn also has pharmacist job opening, but does not provide salary details. I wonder if all NYC Hospital Pharmacists fall under the same pay scale. If they are all Local 1199 members, it's quite possible the rate is the same across the board!
My neighbor just started at Maimonides as an RN (3 twelve hour shifts per week - 4 twelve hour shifts every forth week). Starting salary - $75,000 per year!!! That's with a bachelors degree - with an associates degree, salary would have been only $2,000 per year less.
Not that I have it in me to become a nurse, but I'm not sure I want to be in hock for the rest of my life paying off LIU's tuition (total accumulation of over $120,000 for four years).
As much as I want to be a pharmacist, my second career interest is starting to look glorifying. Speech language pathologists working for the NYC Board of Education start at $57,000 with a masters degree. With 7 hour day schedule (two 45 minute preps per day), 11 weeks off in the summer, three vacation weeks through the school year, early retirement at 55 yrs. old with pension at 60-70% of your salary, I must be crazy not to go in this direction. I'd actually be able to enjoy life much more (and with no student loan debt)! :bang:
 
I am familiar with NYC health hospitals. First, this statement holds especially true right now. Do pharmacy for the profession and not for the money. It is borederline disgusting on some of the comments (bklyngirl)).

Second, I will now explain the low salary. 1199 is one of the top unions out there. You will get unparallell benefits including being almost impossible to fire. In addition to the job security (while you wont have true job security since unions cant say no if management decides to fire you,), you also get other benefits such as health insurance and pension. The health insurance not only being accepted in more places than government insurances, has greater coverage with low copays and deductibles. If I was to get that health insurance though CVS, I would have to pay thousands more each year.

Also you get 20 vacation days versus the retails 14, 8 paid holiday days (we get paid double for working or 4 free hours if we are off), 4 personal days for whatever reason (we get none), and 12 paid sick days. This means that if you work for 1199, you get 26 free paid days. That comes out to about 9000 dollars extra pay. I think most people would love this benefit and willing to take a 20k drop in our salary after. You can choose to also work on those vacatoin days, sick days, etc and get paid out whatever you dont use. This raises your salary by 20k...

In addition, you get evening differentials and some places pay you extra if you work on Sundays. Retail pharmacists done. You have an 8 hour shift with a lot of well paid techs while we dont. We have to worry about cold calling people and filling out ridiculously large amount of paperworks while you dont.

I can go on and on about why this job will be better than any retail job paying 120k out there, but for most of you pre pharmacy and pharmacy students out there... it is a hopeless cause. I do hope you guys take this into heart because it can be a costly mistake. People working for Duane Reade for 56 dollars an hour only find out this after realizing that they will come out more ahead if they had sign on to CVS or Walgreens for 54 because these two companies easily contributes an extra 10k tax in 401k matches. I mean what other pharmacist jobs out there gives you a small pension besides the military... besides 1199? Even the VA doesnt give you that anymore.
 
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Aznfarmerboi said:
I am familiar with NYC health hospitals. First, this statement holds especially true right now. Do pharmacy for the profession and not for the money. It is borederline disgusting on some of the comments (bklyngirl)).

Second, I will now explain the low salary. 1199 is one of the top unions out there. You will get unparallell benefits including almost being impossible to fire. In addition to the job security (while you wont have true job security since unions cant say no if management decides to fire you,), you also get other unparallel benefits such as health insurance and pension. The health insurance not only being accepted in more places than government insurances, has greater coverage with low copays and deductibles. If I was to get that health insurance though CVS, I would have to pay thousands more each year.

Also you get 20 vacation days versus the retails 14, 8 paid holiday days (we get paid double for working or 4 free hours if we are off), 4 personal days for whatever reason (we get none), and 12 paid sick days. This means that if you work for 1199, you get 26 free paid days. That comes out to about 9000 dollars extra pay. I think most people would love this benefit and willing to take a 20k drop in our salary after. You can choose to also work on those vacatoin days, sick days, etc and get paid out whatever you dont use. This raises your salary by 20k...

In addition, you get evening differentials and some places pay you extra if you work on Sundays. Retail pharmacists done. You have an 8 hour shift with a lot of well paid techs while we dont. We have to worry about cold calling people and filling out ridiculously large amount of paperworks while you dont.

I can go on and on about why this job will be better than any retail job paying 120k out there, but for most of you pre pharmacy and pharmacy students out there... it is a hopeless cause. I do hope you guys take this into heart because it can be a costly mistake. People working for Duane Reade for 56 dollars an hour only find out this after realizing that they will come out more ahead if they had sign on to CVS or Walgreens for 54 because these two companies easily contributes an extra 10k tax in 401k matches. I mean what other pharmacist jobs out there gives you a small pension besides the military... besides 1199? Even the VA doesnt give you that anymore.
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What disgusts you about my comments? I never said I wanted a pharmacy career for the money! I just said I'm having second thoughts about going into hock for a salary (with no great increases over time) that won't help much in relieving the huge debt I'll be in. Hospital pharmacy has been my goal from the beginning (two years ago when I started volunteering at a local hospital) but I assumed the salary progression was a bit higher than what I'm seeing posted. A few grand higher than an RN with an associates degree is pretty pathetic, in my eyes - especially after all the time spent on education and the costs involved.
If it was all about money to me, I would be pursuing retail - just like you! If you're so unhappy in retail, why did you not enter a hospital or nursing home pharmacy? Is it because retail salary paid you more (which helped a whole lot in paying off your student loans)?
Furthermore, you shouldn't be offended by my raving over SLP careers for the NYC Board of Ed (which has one of the strongest unions in the nation). Maybe it will steer many pre-pharmers away. Then there won't be a need for all these new pharm schools opening up, and you won't have to worry so much about future competition!
As far as the lecture on Local 1199, no need to provide unrequested information. I know all that is needed to know, as I come from a long line of Local 1199 members; including my father, an 1199 union rep. for over 20 years. If you have any questions regarding their health benefits, profit sharing, pension funds, etc., please don't hesitate to ask!😉
 
bklyngirl said:
What disgusts you about my comments? I never said I wanted a pharmacy career for the money! I just said I'm having second thoughts about going into hock for a salary (with no great increases over time) that won't help much in relieving the huge debt I'll be in. Hospital pharmacy has been my goal from the beginning (two years ago when I started volunteering at a local hospital) but I assumed the salary progression was a bit higher than what I'm seeing posted. A few grand higher than an RN with an associates degree is pretty pathetic, in my eyes - especially after all the time spent on education and the costs involved.
If it was all about money to me, I would be pursuing retail - just like you! If you're so unhappy in retail, why did you not enter a hospital or nursing home pharmacy? Is it because retail salary paid you more (which helped a whole lot in paying off your student loans)?
Furthermore, you shouldn't be offended by my raving over SLP careers for the NYC Board of Ed (which has one of the strongest unions in the nation). Maybe it will steer many pre-pharmers away. Then there won't be a need for all these new pharm schools opening up, and you won't have to worry so much about future competition!
As far as the lecture on Local 1199, no need to provide unrequested information. I know all that is needed to know, as I come from a long line of Local 1199 members; including my father, an 1199 union rep. for over 20 years. If you have any questions regarding their health benefits, profit sharing, pension funds, etc., please don't hesitate to ask!😉
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I beg you to go with your second career choice. Also, try and persuade anyone else you know as well. This is not because I am worried about you taking my job ever, but because I really don't want you to become a member of my profession.
 
bklyngirl said:
What disgusts you about my comments? I never said I wanted a pharmacy career for the money! I just said I'm having second thoughts about going into hock for a salary (with no great increases over time) that won't help much in relieving the huge debt I'll be in. Hospital pharmacy has been my goal from the beginning (two years ago when I started volunteering at a local hospital) but I assumed the salary progression was a bit higher than what I'm seeing posted. A few grand higher than an RN with an associates degree is pretty pathetic, in my eyes - especially after all the time spent on education and the costs involved.
If it was all about money to me, I would be pursuing retail - just like you! If you're so unhappy in retail, why did you not enter a hospital or nursing home pharmacy? Is it because retail salary paid you more (which helped a whole lot in paying off your student loans)?
Furthermore, you shouldn't be offended by my raving over SLP careers for the NYC Board of Ed (which has one of the strongest unions in the nation). Maybe it will steer many pre-pharmers away. Then there won't be a need for all these new pharm schools opening up, and you won't have to worry so much about future competition!
As far as the lecture on Local 1199, no need to provide unrequested information. I know all that is needed to know, as I come from a long line of Local 1199 members; including my father, an 1199 union rep. for over 20 years. If you have any questions regarding their health benefits, profit sharing, pension funds, etc., please don't hesitate to ask!😉
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I am disgusted because all you guys care about is money. Comparing us to nurses or speech pathologists shows us that you are in this for the money. You probably have no clue what pharmacists do.

I picked retail because I love retail. I love my customers and the daily patient interactions. I have never said that I hate retail.
 
👍👍👍 This will probably be the only thread where I agree with Priapism.

Priapism321 said:
I beg you to go with your second career choice. Also, try and persuade anyone else you know as well. This is not because I am worried about you taking my job ever, but because I really don't want you to become a member of my profession.
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Aznfarmerboi said:
I am disgusted because all you guys care about is money. Comparing us to nurses or speech pathologists shows us that you are in this for the money. You probably have no clue what pharmacists do.

I picked retail because I love retail. I love my customers and the daily patient interactions. I have never said that I hate retail.
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You seem to contradict yourself many times. In your past posts, you claim you're trying to get into hospital pharmacy but you claim here that you love retail. It is you that's only in it for the money, since now that you've been earning a higher rate in retail for the past so many years, you'll now pursue the hospital route because you'll start at a higher rate (due to experience) and earn the many perks with 1199 that you do not have access to at present. If you love your customers so much, you should stay put because the patient interaction you claim to love will be limited when you enter hospital pharmacy!

You make me laugh - knocking all the new pharmacy schools opening up (including downgrading their students), comparing salaries in past posts just like I have just done, and to top that off....explain this - on the "knowing what you know now, what career would you choose" thread, you posted on 6/8 that you would have chosen to be a LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER!!!
So, here I am about to begin pharm school having some shade of doubt...
and you, the hypocrite, claim I'm in it for the money because I question (like you have in the past) whether or not I should have considered another career. If I said "police officer", would you have been more agreeable?
Has nothing to do with money for me at the moment. I enjoy the rewards of providing guidance and support to my community. I have raked in over 400 volunteer hours as a hospital pharm tech and almost as many within the public school system. Both have been highly rewarding to me - with no compensation involved, and no regrets. But, when I fall victim to the student loan sharks, yes, salary will be a cause of concern. I'm no martyr, like you and Priapism; salary doesn't matter to you, right?, as long as you can provide your customers with the care and guidance that they deserve!
Please!!!
 
Priapism321 said:
I beg you to go with your second career choice. Also, try and persuade anyone else you know as well. This is not because I am worried about you taking my job ever, but because I really don't want you to become a member of my profession.
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Of course you're not worried about me taking your job, or any other pharm student for that matter. None of us are on the same intellectual level as yourself, especially "retail pharmacists", as you have previously stated so clearly. They would never be able to do your job!
Furthermore, you will never be the ideal role model for future pharmacists; so I wouldn't want to be categorized with you anyway! Anyone with kids should stay as far away from you as possible!
 
bklyngirl said:
You seem to contradict yourself many times. In your past posts, you claim you're trying to get into hospital pharmacy but you claim here that you love retail. It is you that's only in it for the money, since now that you've been earning a higher rate in retail for the past so many years, you'll now pursue the hospital route because you'll start at a higher rate (due to experience) and earn the many perks with 1199 that you do not have access to at present. If you love your customers so much, you should stay put because the patient interaction you claim to love will be limited when you enter hospital pharmacy!

You make me laugh - knocking all the new pharmacy schools opening up (including downgrading their students), comparing salaries in past posts just like I have just done, and to top that off....explain this - on the "knowing what you know now, what career would you choose" thread, you posted on 6/8 that you would have chosen to be a LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER!!!
So, here I am about to begin pharm school having some shade of doubt...
and you, the hypocrite, claim I'm in it for the money because I question (like you have in the past) whether or not I should have considered another career. If I said "police officer", would you have been more agreeable?
Has nothing to do with money for me at the moment. I enjoy the rewards of providing guidance and support to my community. I have raked in over 400 volunteer hours as a hospital pharm tech and almost as many within the public school system. Both have been highly rewarding to me - with no compensation involved, and no regrets. But, when I fall victim to the student loan sharks, yes, salary will be a cause of concern. I'm no martyr, like you and Priapism; salary doesn't matter to you, right?, as long as you can provide your customers with the care and guidance that they deserve!
Please!!!
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Actually, that is your impression. I NEVER tried to get into hospital pharmacy. I am still under contract with CVS (meaning that I cant work for anybody else). I went into retail because I have been in retail for almost 7 years now. It doesnt make sense for me to go to hospital since I am working on getting a corporate position and will be promoted soon after one to two more years. Heck... its hard to say I am in it for money. After all, when I entered pharmacy school, pharmacist salary was 50-60k. Its surprising how little you know.

The police officer thread was what would you have done if you didnt go into pharmacy. Being that a NY police officer gets paid 30-40k, how does that support your point about money. I was also in ROTC and almost became a military pharmacist.

So tell me bklyn girl, what do pharmacists do?

For some reason, I am starting to hate pre pharm now. All of the new pre pharmacy that I hire bitch about 10 dollars when I got paid 5.15 starting out. Rotation students just want to leave early.
 
bklyngirl said:
You seem to contradict yourself many times. In your past posts, you claim you're trying to get into hospital pharmacy but you claim here that you love retail. It is you that's only in it for the money, since now that you've been earning a higher rate in retail for the past so many years, you'll now pursue the hospital route because you'll start at a higher rate (due to experience) and earn the many perks with 1199 that you do not have access to at present. If you love your customers so much, you should stay put because the patient interaction you claim to love will be limited when you enter hospital pharmacy!
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Why the love affair with the union? Every hospital pharmacist worth their salt that I've spoken to hates the union. It denigrates the profession and allows the lazy and incompetent staffers a way to stay on with little recourse. The union offers little more than a black hole to dump their paychecks in.

You also are confusing terms. The "patient" and the "customer" are two different entities. In the retail setting, they're most often combined into one person. In the hospital, the "customers" are the physicians and nurses. Pharmacists interact with them continuously. Pharmacists still get to see the patients as well. Who do you think does the medication discharge counseling in many institutions across the country? Who handles the medication reconciliation forms in many Emergency Departments across the country?

Get over yourself.
 
Praziquantel86 said:
Why the love affair with the union? Every hospital pharmacist worth their salt that I've spoken to hates the union. It denigrates the profession and allows the lazy and incompetent staffers a way to stay on with little recourse. The union offers little more than a black hole to dump their paychecks in.
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That happens without the evil, scary union. I'd join a union right now if I could. But I probably need it at my joint...
 
Priapism321 said:
I beg you to go with your second career choice. Also, try and persuade anyone else you know as well. This is not because I am worried about you taking my job ever, but because I really don't want you to become a member of my profession.
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Umm yea, I 2nd that.
 
Praziquantel86 said:
Why the love affair with the union? Every hospital pharmacist worth their salt that I've spoken to hates the union. It denigrates the profession and allows the lazy and incompetent staffers a way to stay on with little recourse. The union offers little more than a black hole to dump their paychecks in.

You also are confusing terms. The "patient" and the "customer" are two different entities. In the retail setting, they're most often combined into one person. In the hospital, the "customers" are the physicians and nurses. Pharmacists interact with them continuously. Pharmacists still get to see the patients as well. Who do you think does the medication discharge counseling in many institutions across the country? Who handles the medication reconciliation forms in many Emergency Departments across the country?

Get over yourself.
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Let us know where you decide to go when entering the workforce. I'm sure that if it's a union position that provides you with the better overall package, you'll be there in a heartbeat!
As far as the hospital pharmacists you know that hate working for the union - that's their opinion - "the grass is always greener on the other side!"
 
Aznfarmerboi said:
Actually, that is your impression. I NEVER tried to get into hospital pharmacy. I am still under contract with CVS (meaning that I cant work for anybody else). I went into retail because I have been in retail for almost 7 years now. It doesnt make sense for me to go to hospital since I am working on getting a corporate position and will be promoted soon after one to two more years. Heck... its hard to say I am in it for money. After all, when I entered pharmacy school, pharmacist salary was 50-60k. Its surprising how little you know.

The police officer thread was what would you have done if you didnt go into pharmacy. Being that a NY police officer gets paid 30-40k, how does that support your point about money. I was also in ROTC and almost became a military pharmacist.

So tell me bklyn girl, what do pharmacists do?


If I've ticked you off, I apologize. But, look at it from my point...
If you and many others would stop providing such negative information in regard to the future of the profession, then maybe my outlook wouldn't be so questionable at this time. It's very easy to cast stones when you are in a secured position and need not worry about finding employment in the future!
Continually posting alarming information regarding pharmacist surplus, salary decreases, tuition increases, difficulty finding employment, etc. etc. etc. - only leads to a reaction like mine, of course!
I'm also now aware that pre-pharmers will get attacked if they compare different professions/salaries and have second thoughts about entering the profession. Only pharmacists and pharm students are entitled to do that!:laugh:
Click to expand...
 
bklyngirl said:
If I've ticked you off, I apologize. But, look at it from my point...
If you and many others would stop providing such negative information in regard to the future of the profession, then maybe my outlook wouldn't be so questionable at this time. It's very easy to cast stones when you are in a secured position and need not worry about finding employment in the future!
Continually posting alarming information regarding pharmacist surplus, salary decreases, tuition increases, difficulty finding employment, etc. etc. etc. - only leads to a reaction like mine, of course!
I'm also now aware that pre-pharmers will get attacked if they compare different professions/salaries and have second thoughts about entering the profession. Only pharmacists and pharm students are entitled to do that!:laugh:
Click to expand...

There is nothing wrong with posting alarming information. If he had never posted it, then you would be ignorant to the idea and have no clue. It is better to be semi-informed then not at all (if you take half the talk seriously). It is his opinion and it is up to you too decide how serious you take him.

I think most the people here were referring to the fact that you are so focused on the $$$$$$$. I mean there are many other issues pharmacists are facing that are not reimbursement based and all you complain about is how much we are getting paid. You remind me of all those people who enter the profession because it is perceived as "easy money".
 
Maxpwer222 said:
There is nothing wrong with posting alarming information. If he had never posted it, then you would be ignorant to the idea and have no clue. It is better to be semi-informed then not at all (if you take half the talk seriously). It is his opinion and it is up to you too decide how serious you take him.

I think most the people here were referring to the fact that you are so focused on the $$$$$$$. I mean there are many other issues pharmacists are facing that are not reimbursement based and all you complain about is how much we are getting paid. You remind me of all those people who enter the profession because it is perceived as "easy money".
Click to expand...


You are so right! There is also nothing wrong with questioning whether or not it is worth it to enter pharmacy school at this time.
There is only one other student forum thread that rants and complains more than this one about the future of their field; the law student forum (which was also introduced to me on this forum); and we all know too well their situation.
If you read my first post, I stated that "anyone entering pharmacy for the money will be in for a rude awakening"! I am quite aware of the fact that I will not be entering the profession for "easy money". My plans for entering the profession was to give back to my community in an area of need (which seems to be no longer), while securing a stable (?) and good paying job. Being focused on the $$$$$ is not my concern - it's more like "will I be able to get a job in an already saturated field, and if so, will I earn enough to be able to pay off a six figure debt?" I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth, so I must also think practically. There is nothing wrong with that!
We pre-pharmers are well aware of the changes in the demand for pharmacists (thanks, in part, to the many informative threads on this forum.) We will not be entering with the same expectations as the present pharm students had not too long ago. You will not see us posting info about all the new toys and fancy cars we'll be buying when we start working, and calling ourselves the "100/100 club" (100k salary/100% employment.) We are aware that there will no longer be 2-3 jobs open for every new graduate; now they'll be approx. 5 new graduates for every one job. So if I decide to reconsider this situation, don't take it as if I was only in it for the money! There is nothing wrong with proceeding with caution (before going into a six figure debt); it's called common sense!
 
genesis09 said:
Different districts pay their pharmacists different amounts. The amount can depend on cost of living, demand, etc. The Milwaukee districts pay their pharmacists about $2k more than the Chicago districts because of demand.
Click to expand...

why is there such a shortage in Wisconsin besides the fact that the weather is cold?
 
gsinccom said:
why is there such a shortage in Wisconsin besides the fact that the weather is cold?
Click to expand...


do you want to live in Wisconsin? And I think Wisconsin only has 1 pharmacy school for now...

But I guess the shortage will disappear once Concordia spits out pharmacists.
 
New hire at a rural hospital (Oregon) = $54/hr

Anecdotal... sure

Sky is falling... not so much

If you want to have a job that pays well, it is there. Like most professions in the world. Space is limited, you may have to move for a good job.

Azn - I remember making 5.xx working at the "Mystery Fun House" as a "Laser-tag coordinator" hahahha. BIG MONEY SIR.

Referring to the petulance you see nowadays, it is more a product of upbringing. Go do an enlistment in the military - then see how easy it is to do what we do.
 
StaviZFingerZ said:
do you want to live in Wisconsin? And I think Wisconsin only has 1 pharmacy school for now...

But I guess the shortage will disappear once Concordia spits out pharmacists.
Click to expand...

Milwaukee is not that awful of a place to live. North WI is not the best area.

My understanding the shortage is due mostly to UW-Madison only graduating about 100 students a year.

No matter what happens, I can't imagine jobs in North WI ever being hard to find.
 
aboveliquidice said:
New hire at a rural hospital (Oregon) = $54/hr

Anecdotal... sure

Sky is falling... not so much

If you want to have a job that pays well, it is there. Like most professions in the world. Space is limited, you may have to move for a good job.

Azn - I remember making 5.xx working at the "Mystery Fun House" as a "Laser-tag coordinator" hahahha. BIG MONEY SIR.

Referring to the petulance you see nowadays, it is more a product of upbringing. Go do an enlistment in the military - then see how easy it is to do what we do.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't consider Hillsboro too rural. Now Tillamook hospital is rural. Congrats on the job man, busy year with job and rotations huh.
 
aboveliquidice said:
New hire at a rural hospital (Oregon) = $54/hr

Anecdotal... sure

Sky is falling... not so much

If you want to have a job that pays well, it is there. Like most professions in the world. Space is limited, you may have to move for a good job.

Azn - I remember making 5.xx working at the "Mystery Fun House" as a "Laser-tag coordinator" hahahha. BIG MONEY SIR.

Referring to the petulance you see nowadays, it is more a product of upbringing. Go do an enlistment in the military - then see how easy it is to do what we do.
Click to expand...

I have seen it. No thanks. I was loading 100-200 lb shells. Loading the damn things even with robots was a bitch. Seeing the staff sgt lift those things with two of his fingers carrying it from point a to b, loading it, and firing the gun 4 times within a minute was amazing. Made me respect enlisted people that much more.
 
Last edited:
aboveliquidice said:
New hire at a rural hospital (Oregon) = $54/hr

Anecdotal... sure

Sky is falling... not so much

If you want to have a job that pays well, it is there. Like most professions in the world. Space is limited, you may have to move for a good job.

Azn - I remember making 5.xx working at the "Mystery Fun House" as a "Laser-tag coordinator" hahahha. BIG MONEY SIR.

Referring to the petulance you see nowadays, it is more a product of upbringing. Go do an enlistment in the military - then see how easy it is to do what we do.
Click to expand...

We got a super deal. 4 rounds at Bandon Dunes... $50 per round. Considering regular green fee is $225 to $275 per round...we got a heckuva deal. Can't wait.
 
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