sign on bonuses

[pharm765]

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Does anyone happen to know if a signing bonus that is offered for a hard-to-staff area is only available to new hires? I currently work for Walgreens in a distrcit that does not offer one, but am interested in moving to an area that does.

Has anyone had similar experiences with Walgreens or any other chains?

 

[WVUPharm2007]

I was offered $20,000 for a year commit at this hospital in Ashland, KY. You think you have power graduating in May? ****...I'm like the only potential pharmacist hire around come November/December when I'm done...I'm pumped to see what I can bleed out of some of these folks.

 

[PharmDstudent]

I was offered $2.50 less per hour at my new job...talk about a pay cut 😱...maybe they'll offer you a fat bonus because they give me the scraps...on the other hand, it's not always about the money- I'd rather have air conditioning!

 

[MountainPharmD]

A bonus applies to any new hire....As discussed on here many, many times, do not take one. There is a reason they offer a bonus.....

 

[Mags]

I got 2500 signing bonus. Unfortunately it wasnt "yay time to go to hawaii". It helped me live between graduation and end of loans for the year, and my first couple of paychecks as a graduate intern.

 

[pharm765]

well thanks for responding everyone, but i'm not sure if the question was clear. yes, i know what a signing bonus is, i know i'm not special and they are offered to everyone, i understand the commitment and all the downsides. i know it's not all about the money, and, yes, both locations have air conditioning...

what i'm wondering is, now that i won't be a new hire for the company but instead just transfering to a new location, does anyone know if the bonus is generally still offered? if i'm moving to that location anyway.

thanks!

 

[PharmDstudent]

well thanks for responding everyone, but i'm not sure if the question was clear. yes, i know what a signing bonus is, i know i'm not special and they are offered to everyone, i understand the commitment and all the downsides. i know it's not all about the money, and, yes, both locations have air conditioning...

what i'm wondering is, now that i won't be a new hire for the company but instead just transfering to a new location, does anyone know if the bonus is generally still offered? if i'm moving to that location anyway.

thanks!

It was kind of an inside joke. At my previous job, the a/c system would break often. Here's the thread about the company and store I used to work for...
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=428274

I don't think you would be offered the bonus. They would probably have another incentive like an increase in your hourly wage or offer you a car for a commitment to that area?
You need to talk to the pharmacy management in that area. From what I know, only the new grads get offered sign on bonuses.

 

[dgroulx]

In my area, CVS offered $5,000 for a one year committment. Walgreens offered $15,000 for a three year committment.

I asked to have an open contract with no signing bonus or committment. You could get assigned to a store with bad management, bad techs, bad neighborhood, etc. As a new graduate, I wanted to be able to go where I wanted and explore different job opportunities when they come up. I don't like have obligations to people or companies.

 

[Moxxie]

One of the pharmacists that I work with declined the sign-on bonus they offered him and instead negotiated a week's more paid vacation and a few more stock options. He's going to come out far ahead of the $20,000 for 2 years that was offered, plus with no commitment. (He'll stay with the company anyway - he's worked for them since he was 16!)

 

[MountainPharmD]

well thanks for responding everyone, but i'm not sure if the question was clear. yes, i know what a signing bonus is, i know i'm not special and they are offered to everyone, i understand the commitment and all the downsides. i know it's not all about the money, and, yes, both locations have air conditioning...

what i'm wondering is, now that i won't be a new hire for the company but instead just transfering to a new location, does anyone know if the bonus is generally still offered? if i'm moving to that location anyway.

thanks!

I do not know why people ask employment specific questions on here. I understand the search for knowledge but a specific question like this would be better directed to the management team at the location you desire to transfer.

 

[PharmDstudent]

I do not know why people ask employment specific questions on here. I understand the search for knowledge but a specific question like this would be better directed to the management team at the location you desire to transfer.

People want information yesterday just like they want their prescriptions 15 minutes ago. Our society is rather sad. If someone can't do something fast and efficient, they'll just pay others to do it for them. The same goes with SDN. We're the fast food of pharmacy if you will, which is sad too.
Americans no longer value the adventure; we value results.

 

[MountainPharmD]

People want information yesterday just like they want their prescriptions 15 minutes ago. Our society is rather sad. If someone can't do something fast and efficient, they'll just pay others to do it for them. The same goes with SDN. We're the fast food of pharmacy if you will, which is sad too.
Americans no longer value the adventure; we value results.

I agree totally!!!! Which is why I do not understand why someone would think they will get an employer specific question answered on here. Seems to me the fastest way would be to call and ask the district managment for the area you want to go to.

Its kind of like asking "Hey I wanna work in Buttcrack, Kansas at Wal-Mart store number 1234 in two years and I would like to know if I will get a bonus and how many weekends I will work and if I will have to close more than once a week does anyone know." Why in the world would anyone have that info on this forum. Oh well.....

 

[pharm765]

To be honest I didn't forsee how this could possibly be seen as such a heated question. i was just curious about others' experiences. If i asked about a specific hospital or independent I could see that it would be too specific, but I asked about the biggest pharmacy chain in the country. Oh well, i appreciate those who wrote appropriate replies.

The reason i posted the question before calling the manager is because I was hoping to gather a little information before telling my new DM I was considering relocating because I'm not sure and don't want him to hear that if I end up staying after all. Sorry if anyone considers that horribly sad and American, but I still think it was worth a shot to ask if anyone knew.

 

[MountainPharmD]

To be honest I didn't forsee how this could possibly be seen as such a heated question. i was just curious about others' experiences. If i asked about a specific hospital or independent I could see that it would be too specific, but I asked about the biggest pharmacy chain in the country. Oh well, i appreciate those who wrote appropriate replies.

The reason i posted the question before calling the manager is because I was hoping to gather a little information before telling my new DM I was considering relocating because I'm not sure and don't want him to hear that if I end up staying after all. Sorry if anyone considers that horribly sad and American, but I still think it was worth a shot to ask if anyone knew.

No, No, No....we are not being rude. Its boring around here lately and we need to stir some controversy up where there is none.....

 

[PharmDstudent]

No, No, No....we are not being rude. Its boring around here lately and we need to stir some controversy up where there is none.....

Speak for yourself 😉.

 

[pharm765]

ok, fair enough, i'm not offended i was just surprised that there were such opinions about such a simple question. 😉 but, enjoy your controversy. I'll find out the answer the hard old-fashioned way if no one happens to know.

 

[pharmboy30]

an intern I work with told me in Illinois Walgreens was offering $30k for 3 year contract........