Quitting work during APPEs?

[Izanagi]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Current P2 here, soon to be a P3. I've been working at an LTC pharmacy since the summer before my P1 year; by the time I begin rotations, I'll have stayed with my current job for ~3 years. And I thought that was more than enough time to look good on my CV, so I was planning on quitting by then. All of my cousins did that while in pharmacy school and so did the previous intern whose position I filled. However, a lot of upperclassmen I'm talking to plan on keeping their jobs while on APPEs and working weekends. They say this is common 😵... I'd really rather not do this because I'm already pretty burned out with my job and I don't want to work extra on top of working 40+ hours a week. Money's not really an issue since I'll be moving back home for my APPEs.

My question is, from an employment (and possibly residency) perspective, does it hurt me to quit my job during rotations? Would employers look more favorably upon me if I kept it? Is it really that common for students to keep their jobs? I might reconsider...

 

[PharmDBro2017]

I kept my job at LTC during rotations because I needed the money. They did offer me a position in March/April, actually two different positions now (declined both). Do what you want, you already got the work experience which is the valuable thing here. Are they going to offer you a gig at the end of rotations?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[KARM12]

Don't be stupid, keep the job. You can always reduce your hours. I worked 20 hrs/week and did APPEs.

 

[Izanagi]

I kept my job at LTC during rotations because I needed the money. They did offer me a position in March/April, actually two different positions now (declined both). Do what you want, you already got the work experience which is the valuable thing here. Are they going to offer you a gig at the end of rotations?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

They told me during my interview that employment upon graduation is by no means a guarantee. But I wouldn't count it out considering one of my pharmacists got her job with them through her rotation there.

 

[Corpseman]

Don't be lazy, keep working.

 

[Rouelle]

I had more free time during P4 year than during P1-P3 years. Quitting work would have been a waste of time, money, and job offer.

 

[PharmDBro2017]

I had more free time during P4 year than during P1-P3 years. Quitting work would have been a waste of time, money, and job offer.

Agreed.

 

[Charcoales]

Keep working. Make sure to study for naplex during P4 as well (1-2 hrs a day)

 

[confettiflyer]

Keep working, I did between 16-24hrs a week during rotations (12 day stretches + after rotation work, if possible), it's manageable. It was easier than residency's 12 day stretches for sure.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[Corpseman]

16 hours on sat/sun and 2/3 4-5 hour shifts during the week. Get yourself to full time so you get your vacation during your first year of work and don't have to wait.

 

[Dred Pirate]

keep working, I worked every other weekend (20 hours each weekend), plus evening after my rotation, and 40+ hours a week during my 3 off months. It looks better to stay employed, and also if you are interested in staying with that company, it shows dedication. In this job market you need every little bit to help get a job

 

[Z-Qualizer]

So it sounds like most people also work roughly 20 hours/week during their APPE rotations (40 hours/week)?

 

[Sparda29]

I pretty much did between 8-16 hours a week from P1-P4.

 

[JMUDuke]

I am just about to start rotations and will continue to intern. I have to travel for mine, so I am dropping to one weekend a month. The extra pocket money is nice, but not terribly important. My motivations were two-fold: First was to be able to put an additional year of experience down. The second, I thought it would be easier to reach out to my supervisors if I was still employed there; networking is much easier if you are still in said network.

 

[Dred Pirate]

So it sounds like most people also work roughly 20 hours/week during their APPE rotations (40 hours/week)?

honestly most probably don't - I would say the average is around 8-10 - but most people here will tell you to work more to avoid more loans, etc

 

[Litha]

So are the hours during APPE rotations always Monday though Friday, 7-9am to 4-6pm? Or does it depend on the school, the rotation, etc.?

Just wondering if there's any way to schedule APPE rotation hours on evenings and/or weekends?

As another said, it varies.

I had one preceptor that required me to shadow his schedule. So I worked 8 days on, 6 days off, 10 hour days, for 6 weeks.

Other rotations I had might be Monday to Friday 8-4, Monday to Thursday 7-5:30, M-F 6-2:30pm.... Always different!

 

[Abby Atwood]

I worked weekends during the majority of my rotations except for a couple rotations that were out of state. Working weekends is totally doable and I was able to keep up with everything; however, the weekend work hours did influence my enthusiasm for seeking out additional rotation projects. I don't think it is a coincidence that the projects I am proudest of all occurred while I was out of state and taking time off work.

Working is valuable, but you can't give 100% to your rotations if you are working. That's just math 🙂

Do what's right for you. PhORCAS will ask about your current position and how many hours per week you work. I know that my work hours influenced some of the interviews I was asked to because interview questions were asked about balancing rotations and the specific number of hours I was working or I received compliments for working that many hours.

 

[Dred Pirate]

they are going to likely vary - my students residents work with me when I rotate shifts, and often spend time on third shift as well