Pharmacy Lifestyle

[Dancer825]

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I'm a newbie pre-pharm, and I'm trying to get a feel for the level of flexibility in pharmacy. I probably should shadow some pharmacists and ask them this, and I plan on doing so, but I figured I'd ask on here first and see if I could get any info.

As far as retail pharmacy goes, how difficult is it to find part time positions? Do you find keeping up with changes in pharmacy and new information difficult as a part-time pharamacist?

Also, is it realistic to take maternity leave (I'm a female) for maybe a few months and return part time?

I guess bottom line is, is it realistic to find/work very minimum hours (preferably shortly after finishing pharm school) while raising a family?

If you have any input or ideas, I would greatly appreciate it! Feel free to private msg me as well!

 

[fenixtnlfan]

I can't completely answer your questions, but in regards to maternity leave, I think it is regulated by the state you live in. Employers have to give you maternity leave, but the amount of time and pay you get will vary. Pharmacy is a pretty flexible field, and since they need workers, getting even part-time help I would think would be appreciated.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Ask the poster named "Epic". He has some great opinions on the subject...

 

[Epic]

Ask the poster named "Epic". He has some great opinions on the subject...

Yes, I'm full of opinions...

 

[PharmDstudent]

Yes, I'm full of opinions...

No. You're full of something else .

 

[sdn1977]

Yes - you can work part-time, but you won't always get the best & most interesting jobs.

The job market is changing rapidly, at least in CA. We seem to have a lot of applicants right now, surprisingly. So, right now, if you want part-time, you'll float if you want retail or you'll work per diem (no benefits) if you want hospital.

There really is no issue with maternity leave - you can get that fairly easily. As someone posted, it is governed by state law - just like sick time.

However, the real issue is when you start to make unrealistic demands because of your child. You must have good daycare & a very supportive spouse. At some point, you must choose whose basket you're going to put all your eggs in - unless you do a full time nanny.

For my situation, I rotated all shifts, all days, 365 days a year. We tried it, but at some point, my husband didn't know if I was coming or going. He was running a business & he had to know that he could schedule a 5PM patient or an 8:30 root canal & not have to be called to pick up our daughter.

Since we had a lot of $$$ sunk into his practice, I had to make the choice to compromise my position. Fortunately, I was very, very lucky. My dop at the time was also married to a dentist & was tremendously accomodating. It was also a time when pharmacists with my skill set were few & far between (different than when I got right out of school & could hardly find a job!).

But - you have to know who is going to call off work when the babysitter or school calls & says Johnny has a fever & is throwing up. They insist you come take them. We worked it out - that was one of the hardest things about parenting & having a committed career.

You also have to realize that you will work every single day of the year, possibly. I have opened Christmas presents at 4AM & at 4PM. I've had Thanksgiving dinners at 11AM & 10PM & even the next day. I worked on my daughter's first birthday & cried all the way to work (& got a speeding ticket to boot!). My son has had a birthday cake at 10 in the morning one year. You sometimes have to do crazy things.

There is lots of flexibility - its just not always going to go your way & you have to understand that & be willing to work with it. After all, everyone else on the staff has family & holidays that are important as well. I've always tried to be the first to volunteer to work someone's important day. Then, that person remembers & is often willing to help me out.

 

[Old Timer]

You have three basic questions:

1) How does motherhood affect my employment: There are three factors that bear on this:

• The policy of the company that employs you.
• The laws of the state in which you are employed.
• The FMLA (Family and medical leave act).

Though I am not 100% sure, I think the most beneficial towards the employee would be the determining factor in what your rights and benefits would be.

2) How flexible is pharmacy in regard to scheduling: It depends on the company you work for and the labor market where you are seeking employment. At the present moment in the Philadelphia market you would have no problem having flexible hours. There are many young female pharmacists of child bearing age employed at the company I work for and they are bearing children. Some come back full time and some come back part time depending on their family situation and personal preferences. Some take two weeks off and some take four months off. I cannot speak for other markets though I assume it would be similar.

3) How do you keep up: This is easier and easier to do every year. There are so many sources to keep up it will really be no problem. There are web sites, magazines, live CE lectures, the choices are endless. It is no more difficult as a part timer than a full timer. If you work for a major retail chain or a hospital they have plenty of resources and I can't speak for hospitals, but I can't believe they would restrict this information to full timers

 

[Epic]

You also have to realize that you will work every single day of the year, possibly. I have opened Christmas presents at 4AM & at 4PM. I've had Thanksgiving dinners at 11AM & 10PM & even the next day. I worked on my daughter's first birthday & cried all the way to work (& got a speeding ticket to boot!). My son has had a birthday cake at 10 in the morning one year. You sometimes have to do crazy things.

Darndest things you remember....

I worked every Saturday and Sunday while in pharmacy school... up until middle of 4th year. Then I worked every Saturday from 1995 to 2000 while running my business... also worked every other Sunday during that period.

Today, life is much better. But if I don't work some weekends processing orders...I'm going to lose it sooon. Y'all know where I can pick up some part time weekend gig?

 

[Epic]

I'm a newbie pre-pharm, and I'm trying to get a feel for the level of flexibility in pharmacy. I probably should shadow some pharmacists and ask them this, and I plan on doing so, but I figured I'd ask on here first and see if I could get any info.

As far as retail pharmacy goes, how difficult is it to find part time positions? Do you find keeping up with changes in pharmacy and new information difficult as a part-time pharamacist?

Also, is it realistic to take maternity leave (I'm a female) for maybe a few months and return part time?

I guess bottom line is, is it realistic to find/work very minimum hours (preferably shortly after finishing pharm school) while raising a family?

If you have any input or ideas, I would greatly appreciate it! Feel free to private msg me as well!

When I was a DOP at a hospital, approximately 50% of our pharmacists were moms working part time. It worked out beautifully....though I cursed and bitched about having to cater to them all the time.. half jokingly of course.

I would think you'll have more flexibility at a hospital setting.