So I got the job but...

[anon89]

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I'm thinking about quitting... 🙁

I just started at Target a couple of weeks ago, it was good in the beginning. I got a small notebook that I take everywhere with me and I try to write everything down. I've written down a lot so far, and but it was good and I went over my notes when I got home every night.

But this past week I was assigned to a specific pharmacist at the store I'm training at... and basically we don't mesh.

She feels that the best way to teach me is to not tell me how to do anything, but instead to throw me into a situation where I have to figure out what to do and do that along with other things that I don't know how to do and also figure out.

For specific examples for curious minds, pm me. I don't want to put it in the thread because I don't want to risk being identified.

I also talked to the pharmacist about this and she ... doesn't care. She made it clear that what I think doesn't matter and she's just gonna make me do what she wants me to do.

It's making me doubt my ability to be a pharmacist and do it right, so I've thought about quitting while I'm ahead...

Sorry this is somewhat vague and ranty, I just wanted to vent my frustrations 🙁

 

[Robdawg678]

For the amount of time you've been looking for a job, I would keep going. You learn things as you go along.

 

[anon89]

For the amount of time you've been looking for a job, I would keep going. You learn things as you go along.

That's true, but I feel like everyone makes the assumption that just because I'm "fresh" out of pharmacy school, that Must mean that I know even more than they do. But they fail to realize that not everyone learns by having exams with 3 exams worth of material smashed into it and taught by the worst prof ever. I can't just look at something and memorize it once and I need like... real life experiences to learn things.

 

[mustang sally]

I know a pharmacist who trains people this way and it pretty much sucks.

But yeah, I would keep going with this job until you can find something else. You will pick up on things as you go.

 

[KARM12]

A lot of being a retail pharmacist is learning by doing...you have to know how to work the computer system and to do that, you need to do it yourself instead of just watching.

 

[Sunshine98]

The best way you can learn how to do anything is taking initiative. When that RPh isn't around...walk up to a tech, cashier..and ask how to do things. For example: how to ring up someone with cash, credit card, and check payment. (don't think you wont be on a cash register, you will), when someone drops off a insurance card...ask the tech to let you know so you know how to put it in (write that down in your book) etc. You wont learn or know how to deal with a lot of things until you cross it...so don't fret. But key thing is when you cross it, write it down so you will have your reference on how to handle it in the future. At least you are taking notes. I try to tell new people who I work with to do the same...and with some it goes in one ear and out the other. But it comes back and bites them in the BUTT when they get stuck ALONE! 😉

 

[sosoo]

another initiative is to go to another store on your off day. let them know the situation and see if they can help train you.

 

[Unchained]

Don't worry. This is just another pharmacist who has no idea how to manage and train people. They comprise the majority of the profession. Just learn as much as you can and move on to the next one. You can learn much from these pharmacists in how not to do things.

 

[MatCauthon]

It is time to put on the big-boy pants. I have floated for the last 2 years in multiple pharmacy environments (compounding, hospital, retail, specialty, mail-order, infusion) and am constantly thrown in new environments where I am only shown the basics. Take initiative and always write things down. I usually learn a lot more from talking to the techs than the pharmacists anyway. Good luck, but don't give up just because you feel you aren''t learning. Get a manual to the computer system and teach yourself. I've done this numerous times.

 

[ethyl]

And be sure to reject that pharmacist immediately whenever she asks you for any shift swaps no matter how bad her "emergency" might be

 

[anon89]

Thanks everyone! I am attempting to put on my "big girl pants" and suck it up! I think it's getting a bit easier because I'm learning more things and running ahead in training and trying to beat her to stuff so when she throws me into things, I'm less flustered.

Though I will say, counseling will still take a while to get a hang of and I hate that if I want to confirm or sound the slightest bit unsure, patients doubt my knowledge -- that kinda sets me back =\

 

[atlrph]

Cat fight...meowwww

 

[Carboxide]

Thanks everyone! I am attempting to put on my "big girl pants" and suck it up! I think it's getting a bit easier because I'm learning more things and running ahead in training and trying to beat her to stuff so when she throws me into things, I'm less flustered.

Though I will say, counseling will still take a while to get a hang of and I hate that if I want to confirm or sound the slightest bit unsure, patients doubt my knowledge -- that kinda sets me back =\

You're a licensed pharmacist and you want someone to show you how to counsel? Are you joking? You should already have this down with your eyes closed and jumping on one foot.

The other posters are right. That's a ridiculous reason to quit. Suck it up and move on.

 

[LearnerSharer]

another initiative is to go to another store on your off day. let them know the situation and see if they can help train you.

Please think twice before doing that:

By Labor Law (as told to us at another chain pharmacy), such training is defined as "working off clock".
These images will be on camera and the video is there for at least 1 month as well as other traces. If anyone reports or somehow the news get to Human Resources Department, they will fire you both even if they love you (because of Labor Law).

If you find a good person with good heart in the same company that is willing to teach you by phone after work, that would be the way to do, and you still must keep this personal only, don't advertise or praise that friend to higher manager that you got special training outside of working hours.

I heard stories from Pharmacy District Manager or Human Resources Manager about their painful moments in life: When a violation of Labor Law is reported to be known to the Manager as an official complaint or report, the Manager must take action, including and up to terminating the employee who violated the law, even if terminating such worker is breaking my heart. If I don't fire you and the news go to higher bosses, I will be fired. Don't give me a reason to fire you. Keep such training as personal and off the record by NOT leaving evidence of training that are not within working hours.

Sure, the debate has been here for many years:
On this side, we have the new compassionate workers who simply want to finish the work and are willing to work extra hours or train extra hours without getting paid.
On that side, we have the under-valued workers who simply are forced to finish 60 hours of work while being paid only 40 hours. And this practice had been going on for years to such point that law suits have happened and therefore, labor law has been passed to enforce that if it is work related, it must be paid, and therefore, chain pharmacies have to enforce strict compliance, or chain will pay penalty of another law suit.

In summary, the judgement to view this kind of training as "forced work without pay" or as "willing to train without pay" depends on own mind as well as the mind of court's judge or court's jury. We certainly do not want to get to that court room with minimum attorney fee of $5000 to find out the truth. So, I rest my discussion here.

Just be aware of such labor law about "working off clock" when you work at chain pharmacy and protect your job.
Good luck with your new job....Please know I have not experienced that behavior from 5 managers I have met. Maybe the next one for you will be friendly and compassionate like you. Hang in there for now...

I heard of many friends helping each other in training the new person after work as personal talk.
Anyone working for Target? Would you please train this person privately as a friend? Thank you very much.

 

[KidPharmD]

Please think twice before doing that:

By Labor Law (as told to us at another chain pharmacy), such training is defined as "working off clock".

Not that I would advocate doing this, but you might give this young pharmacist a wrong impression. It is extremely likely that this pharmacist is considered "salary exempt" even if they record their hours and know their hourly wage. For most states, this means that the fact that the company pays them anything for extra hours or training is considered a benefit, not a requirement of labor laws. Even some companies have managed to get floater's and part time pharmacists classified as exempt by giving them a very small minimum number of hours per pay period.

There are states where staff pharmacists cannot be exempt (usually unionized states), but these pharmacists could usually just complain to their union rep about poor training.

 

[297point1]

That's true, but I feel like everyone makes the assumption that just because I'm "fresh" out of pharmacy school, that Must mean that I know even more than they do.

I'm pretty sure that is NOT the case.

 

[anon89]

You're a licensed pharmacist and you want someone to show you how to counsel? Are you joking? You should already have this down with your eyes closed and jumping on one foot.

The other posters are right. That's a ridiculous reason to quit. Suck it up and move on.

Just wanted to say that this post is slightly uncalled for. There are differences between what you learn in school and what you actually do in a real life situation with a patient. Sorry not all of us know what things to say and what to do at precisely every moment. Nor do we recall every fact about anything at lightning speed. Nor can everyone memorize boatloads of material by just glancing over material in textbooks.

As I said, I'm starting to get the hang of it and becoming more confident in what I say/do. Sorry I don't have balls of steel at all times.

Everyone else, thank you! I'm glad that most people on this forum can communicate a point without being disrespectful. That's what keeps me posting!

 

[anon89]

Not that I would advocate doing this, but you might give this young pharmacist a wrong impression. It is extremely likely that this pharmacist is considered "salary exempt" even if they record their hours and know their hourly wage. For most states, this means that the fact that the company pays them anything for extra hours or training is considered a benefit, not a requirement of labor laws. Even some companies have managed to get floater's and part time pharmacists classified as exempt by giving them a very small minimum number of hours per pay period.

There are states where staff pharmacists cannot be exempt (usually unionized states), but these pharmacists could usually just complain to their union rep about poor training.

I'm pretty sure I'm salary exempt and I don't get paid hourly for the training, but that's ok, I think once I get into my own store I will get the hang of it on my own time. For now I'm doing ok. My trainer still doesn't understand or care how I learn, but I'm running ahead in training and since I'm a few weeks in, I'm starting to understand the flow of things. I think I'm doing pretty well considering I don't have any xp in a pharmacy besides rotations!

Thanks everyone 🙂

I'm pretty sure that is NOT the case.

It's true!! But for some reason everyone thinks this =\ I think if you work during school it's Super helpful. For example we have a pharmacy intern at my store and she is Really good at everything, and I think a big part of it is that she is learning this stuff and then being able to apply it.