Please help!

[rxpharmdqd]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I have been a retail pharmacist for little over 4 years since I graduated from pharmacy school. I am still having a hard time fitting into retail. I feel I don't have any other options but retail...anyway, my big question is, how can I make my daily life little bit easier to survive at retail? I am literally miserable!

As all of you know, it's very busy to work at big chain pharmacy, you get millions STUPID questions which answers are right on the box (OTC) or questions like which floss is the best floss in the market or which bandage is the best one to use, no matter what you do you still get complains, techs also ask stupid questions for every single prescription they got (they should know what to do in a heart bit at this point since I told them already for the same kinds of situation over and over...AND I almost died when my tech said to a customer "please go to a consultation window for a pharmacist" when a customer asked her about some kind of nail manicure if it would last longer without chipping than any other ones)..I feel like I am pulled to 10 different directions at pharmacy when I work!

How do you guys manage yourself not to be miserable? I am very tired, literally dead on my off days (I lose sleep over what happened at pharmacy) and cranky all the time! Please give me some advice how to adjust/fit into to retail. Your advice would be really appreciated! Thanks!

 

[owlegrad]

I am just a student, so I have nothing helpful to say. I do hope for your sake you adjust or find a better job. I also hope some people with experience will come by and offer you some helpful advice.

 

[Hibiclens]

I have been a retail pharmacist for little over 4 years since I graduated from pharmacy school. I am still having a hard time fitting into retail. I feel I don't have any other options but retail...anyway, my big question is, how can I make my daily life little bit easier to survive at retail? I am literally miserable!

As all of you know, it's very busy to work at big chain pharmacy, you get millions STUPID questions which answers are right on the box (OTC) or questions like which floss is the best floss in the market or which bandage is the best one to use, no matter what you do you still get complains, techs also ask stupid questions for every single prescription they got (they should know what to do in a heart bit at this point since I told them already for the same kinds of situation over and over...AND I almost died when my tech said to a customer "please go to a consultation window for a pharmacist" when a customer asked her about some kind of nail manicure if it would last longer without chipping than any other ones)..I feel like I am pulled to 10 different directions at pharmacy when I work!

How do you guys manage yourself not to be miserable? I am very tired, literally dead on my off days (I lose sleep over what happened at pharmacy) and cranky all the time! Please give me some advice how to adjust/fit into to retail. Your advice would be really appreciated! Thanks!

First and foremost, don't consider questions "stupid". You work in retail and are going to be asked some odd things...but that comes with the territory. Accept it. Your job is to sift through all them and figure out what questions are truly important and when you really need to intervene.

No buts.

We've all heard crazy/unimportant questions. No need to cite any more to further hammer your point.

Wish you the best.

 

[KARM12]

I would rather have a tech ask me a "stupid" question then to not ask and get it wrong.

A lot of it has to do with your reaction to the situation...have fun with the silly questions. People want your help, so provide it.

 

[Jabberwocky12]

The "most trusted profession" does come with a few downfalls, I'd agree. However, people think highly of you to the point that they think you have all the answers. And a question that might be stupid for you isn't for other people; you have a higher than average education, probably a higher than average IQ, and financial stability to maintain certain life skills in check. Other people might not know how to read, have medicines screwing with them, or are in enough pain/discomfort to not know how to handle the situation properly. Not to mention, pharmacists gripe about how many OTC medicines are very similar in active ingredients that it is absurd, so why wouldn't a patient ask and be skeptical about the medicines on the counter?

As for techs asking dumb questions and all, that's a part of any job. Techs will do that in hospital settings, as will doctors and nurses. At least patients will be more receptive to listening because of little medical knowledge, try arguing with a doctor who thinks he is right and has enough medical knowledge to justify himself. This is all anecdotal of course but the grass isn't always greener.

Ignorance, like energy, cannot be created or destroyed. It can only change form in order to meet the current environment.

 

[owlegrad]

Ignorance...cannot be created or destroyed.

Ever been to a Sarah Palin rally?

 

[EthioRx]

Ever been to a Sarah Palin rally?

looool That's funny. Ignorance can be created but cannot be destroyed. Watch FoxNews, especially Glen Beck and Hannity!

 

[Its Z]

looool That's funny. Ignorance can be created but cannot be destroyed. Watch FoxNews, especially Glen Beck and Hannity!

Beck and Hannity are famous and rich. You think you're smarter?

Its one thing to call someone ignorant. But to call someone ignorant because you don't agree with their political view is outright ignorant.

 

[Old Timer]

I have been a retail pharmacist for little over 4 years since I graduated from pharmacy school. I am still having a hard time fitting into retail. I feel I don't have any other options but retail...anyway, my big question is, how can I make my daily life little bit easier to survive at retail? I am literally miserable!

As all of you know, it's very busy to work at big chain pharmacy, you get millions STUPID questions which answers are right on the box (OTC) or questions like which floss is the best floss in the market or which bandage is the best one to use, no matter what you do you still get complains, techs also ask stupid questions for every single prescription they got (they should know what to do in a heart bit at this point since I told them already for the same kinds of situation over and over...AND I almost died when my tech said to a customer "please go to a consultation window for a pharmacist" when a customer asked her about some kind of nail manicure if it would last longer without chipping than any other ones)..I feel like I am pulled to 10 different directions at pharmacy when I work!

How do you guys manage yourself not to be miserable? I am very tired, literally dead on my off days (I lose sleep over what happened at pharmacy) and cranky all the time! Please give me some advice how to adjust/fit into to retail. Your advice would be really appreciated! Thanks!

I have been a retail pharmacist for 29 years, the last 10 years with a major US Chain Pharmacy. I think I am in a position to comment on your predicament.

Customers will always ask stupid questions. If they pick up the box and read it themselves, WTF do they need you for? It's my greatest pleasure at work to go out and help someone select the appropriate OTC product that includes products for oral hygiene. I can also recommend the proper kind of tooth brush. When they stop coming in to ask you things, prepare for unemployment.

As for your techs, you need to train them better. If they are so stupid they make the same mistakes or ask the same questions over and over, please counsel them so they can improve or you have the grounds to get rid of them and get some new ones.

Finally, happiness is self controlled. You decide how happy you will be. I suggest you pick up a book called Happiness is a Serious Problem, by Dennis Prager. It's fortune cookie wisdom, but it should allow you to see where your unhappiness really lies.

[YOUTUBE]gQqJvfh9irs[/YOUTUBE]

 

[jasonkido]

I've only been licensed for about a year and currently work in LTC. Retail is a varying profession because it depends on what company, location, technicians, and clientele you have. I have worked at cvs for 2 and a half years and have went to 3 different retail locations for rotations and this is what i have learned. If you work for cvs or walgrees, expect the 5-10 minutes waiters and a barrage of people looking for free medical advice from the neighborhood pharmacist. If you work for wal-mart you will run into the same problems but with more tech helf and an hour lunch. Also its not as busy but of course your miles may vary. I believe you may need a change of scenary in retail if you believe you can't get a job outside retail but with the way the economy is people have been holding onto their jobs for dear life.

 

[rxpharmdqd]

Thank you so much everyone! Believe me, your guys' advice means a lot to me.

Old timer, thank you for your caring input with attached video. I learned quite a bit from watching that video. I have never thought of it that way until I watch this... Thank you again!