The Floating Thread

[scottygonzo]

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Alright, we have a new batch of new grads that are taking floating positions for the major chains. There have been threads in the past discussing this, but with new grads getting ready to start working in a month or two, I wanted to revisit the topic.

What's your experience or advice? What should we (new grads) expect with the floating lifestyle? What should we do to make a good impression and improve our standing with the company? What's the typical day?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Sunshine98]

What should we do to make a good impression and improve our standing with the company?

Thanks for your input!

Take initiative to learn how to do everything from begging (drop off) to the end (pickup). If someone sees you are a good worker your chances moving from part time to anchor a store full time are higher. But if you come to work with the mentality that all you have to do is the bare minimum and collect a check, then people will catch on and not want you in their store should a position open up. Trust me stores do talk and we talk to our DM's about who is a good fit.

 

[NateRobinson]

It seems that walgreens makes all their new grads float. That's why I hate that company. CVS tried to make their new grads in important positions (staff Rph, pic). They understand new grads are more efficient than old timers who won't tow the company line.

cvs > walgreens

 

[WVUPharm2007]

It seems that walgreens makes all their new grads float. That's why I hate that company. CVS tried to make their new grads in important positions (staff Rph, pic). They understand new grads are more efficient than old timers who won't tow the company line.

lmao...oh, child...

CVS makes new grads PICs because the old timers are smart enough not to do it voluntarily.

 

[genesis09]

At Walgreens, the belief is that it is better for new grads to start as floaters because they can learn the system without the responsibilities of a staff pharmacist. Also, it will allow the new grad to see how different pharmacies are operated.

 

[owlegrad]

In my district most of the new grads were made floaters last year. I think maybe two of us were made staff pharmacists right off the bat. No one was made a PIC right away. CVS and Walgreens are both huge companies so I doubt you can make accurate company-wide generalizations about how they hire people, I am sure it depends more on the availability of positions than anything else.

 

[pharmd201389]

lmao...oh, child...

CVS makes new grads PICs because the old timers are smart enough not to do it voluntarily.

Not really. In fact, because of this problem, DM's are starting to tell PIC's to make floaters and staff do more work. My DM (in New Jersey) told one of my friends who is a PIC not to let floaters get away with doing nothing. The mentality is that thinking like that will put pressure on pic's and get floaters off the hook easily, which is not what everyone wants.

Floaters should WANT to become pic's in order to have the ability to delegate tasks to other RPhs and not have to do it on their own. This is the only way to solve this problem.

 

[owlegrad]

And how does a PIC not "let" a floater get away with doing nothing?

 

[farmadiazepine]

Not really. In fact, because of this problem, DM's are starting to tell PIC's to make floaters and staff do more work. My DM (in New Jersey) told one of my friends who is a PIC not to let floaters get away with doing nothing. The mentality is that thinking like that will put pressure on pic's and get floaters off the hook easily, which is not what everyone wants.

Floaters should WANT to become pic's in order to have the ability to delegate tasks to other RPhs and not have to do it on their own. This is the only way to solve this problem.

You're dumb and so is your DM.

 

[Wheresmyaricept]

Not really. In fact, because of this problem, DM's are starting to tell PIC's to make floaters and staff do more work. My DM (in New Jersey) told one of my friends who is a PIC not to let floaters get away with doing nothing. The mentality is that thinking like that will put pressure on pic's and get floaters off the hook easily, which is not what everyone wants.

Floaters should WANT to become pic's in order to have the ability to delegate tasks to other RPhs and not have to do it on their own. This is the only way to solve this problem.

In what universe will CVS ever give enough hours so that both the PIC and floater will work the same shift together?? There might be what, a few hours of overlap? When will the PIC see that floater again...several months? Is the pic going to reprimand the floater for not doing something from several months ago? This is a poorly thought out idea.

 

[Pharmarysse]

I've been floating for Walgreens since August 2013 (May 2013 grad here). I'm in the New England area. Yes, Wags does make you float from anywhere between 6 - 24 months before placing you. Ask me anything. 🙂

Most staff pharmacists I've spoken to tell me they miss the floating lifestyle. Obviously I haven't experienced being staff (though I did stay in one store for ~3 months covering a leave) but I'm inclined to agree that once you get the hang of it, floating is where it's at. I'm almost dreading getting my own store. But obviously there are ups and downs.

 

[scottygonzo]

I've been floating for Walgreens since August 2013 (May 2013 grad here). I'm in the New England area. Yes, Wags does make you float from anywhere between 6 - 24 months before placing you. Ask me anything. 🙂

Most staff pharmacists I've spoken to tell me they miss the floating lifestyle. Obviously I haven't experienced being staff (though I did stay in one store for ~3 months covering a leave) but I'm inclined to agree that once you get the hang of it, floating is where it's at. I'm almost dreading getting my own store. But obviously there are ups and downs.

If you are a good floating pharmacist and staff positions become available, do they pretty much pressure you to go to the store or can you just float for however long you want? What is the training process like? Do you just start working in the store as a grad intern

 

[Pharmarysse]

If you are a good floating pharmacist and staff positions become available, do they pretty much pressure you to go to the store or can you just float for however long you want? What is the training process like? Do you just start working in the store as a grad intern

A month or so after graduation, we all sat down to a meeting with our pharmacy supervisor and he basically went over Walgreens 101 with us. Then we were split into two groups - those who worked for Wags as students and already knew things, and those who were totally new to the system. All of us were then given grad intern schedules, but those who already had experience got placed into higher-volume stores. So it's kind of like baby floating, except you're not THE pharmacist, you just work beside them. This is your training until you pass your exams (when you sign your offer letter, you agree to have your exams passed by I think 90 days), at which point you are immediately given your floater schedule and start at full salary.

As far as being placed, I've heard of it happening in different ways. Some of my counterparts literally just saw their schedules change to all be at one store, and that's how they knew. Other people got a phone call from the market scheduler who told them "you are working at X store now, you don't have a choice." Others did get a choice. I feel like it's different based on what sort of relationship you have with the overlords. =/ Personally there are some stores I would rather float forever than work at, and I do plan to make that known when the time comes.

 

[scottygonzo]

A month or so after graduation, we all sat down to a meeting with our pharmacy supervisor and he basically went over Walgreens 101 with us. Then we were split into two groups - those who worked for Wags as students and already knew things, and those who were totally new to the system. All of us were then given grad intern schedules, but those who already had experience got placed into higher-volume stores. So it's kind of like baby floating, except you're not THE pharmacist, you just work beside them. This is your training until you pass your exams (when you sign your offer letter, you agree to have your exams passed by I think 90 days), at which point you are immediately given your floater schedule and start at full salary.

As far as being placed, I've heard of it happening in different ways. Some of my counterparts literally just saw their schedules change to all be at one store, and that's how they knew. Other people got a phone call from the market scheduler who told them "you are working at X store now, you don't have a choice." Others did get a choice. I feel like it's different based on what sort of relationship you have with the overlords. =/ Personally there are some stores I would rather float forever than work at, and I do plan to make that known when the time comes.

So, did you go through a new grad "boot camp" and have work 40 hours a week and regular rotating weekend schedule all at the same time while trying to get licensed or were you able to scale back on work until licensure? I've never worked at Walgreens before and I have little retail background, but I was still planning on getting licensed by the end of June. Would it be wise to wait a few more weeks to get more exposure to the system rather than try to get licensed right away?

Thanks for your thoughts thus far!

 

[Robdawg678]

A month or so after graduation, we all sat down to a meeting with our pharmacy supervisor and he basically went over Walgreens 101 with us. Then we were split into two groups - those who worked for Wags as students and already knew things, and those who were totally new to the system. All of us were then given grad intern schedules, but those who already had experience got placed into higher-volume stores. So it's kind of like baby floating, except you're not THE pharmacist, you just work beside them. This is your training until you pass your exams (when you sign your offer letter, you agree to have your exams passed by I think 90 days), at which point you are immediately given your floater schedule and start at full salary.

As far as being placed, I've heard of it happening in different ways. Some of my counterparts literally just saw their schedules change to all be at one store, and that's how they knew. Other people got a phone call from the market scheduler who told them "you are working at X store now, you don't have a choice." Others did get a choice. I feel like it's different based on what sort of relationship you have with the overlords. =/ Personally there are some stores I would rather float forever than work at, and I do plan to make that known when the time comes.

I will be starting for Walgreens as a grad intern. What are the benefits and when do they kick in? What about vacation time? I have never worked with Walgreens.

 

[Pharmarysse]

So, did you go through a new grad "boot camp" and have work 40 hours a week and regular rotating weekend schedule all at the same time while trying to get licensed or were you able to scale back on work until licensure? I've never worked at Walgreens before and I have little retail background, but I was still planning on getting licensed by the end of June. Would it be wise to wait a few more weeks to get more exposure to the system rather than try to get licensed right away?

Don't get licensed right away! They will put you to work as soon as you pass, and you really want to have as much "gimme" experience as possible, otherwise you'll be really stressed out in a store by yourself. Especially with little retail background. You'll be working 32-40 hours a week as a grad intern, with weekends off (!!!). Once you tell them your exam dates, they'll give you that entire week off to study. Milk the grad internship part as much as you can. Unless you really need the money (grad intern = ~50% of full salary), grad intern life is pretty sweet.

I will be starting for Walgreens as a grad intern. What are the benefits and when do they kick in? What about vacation time? I have never worked with Walgreens.

We just switched to a PTO (paid time off) model which is weird but basically you "earn" time off as you work. But you still have a max amount of days that you can "earn" in a year. I had already worked with Walgreens for ~8 months before getting hired officially, so I think some of that accumulated. I know right now I have 15 days to use this year, but getting a full week's worth of vacation time is a pain. 🙁 You start getting benefits like health insurance, etc, after 3 consecutive months of work. So if you're too old to still be on your parents' insurance, I suggest you look both ways before crossing the street during that time, lol.

 

[Robdawg678]

So instead of using your PTO days, can you just take an extra paycheck?

 

[pharmd201389]

In what universe will CVS ever give enough hours so that both the PIC and floater will work the same shift together?? There might be what, a few hours of overlap? When will the PIC see that floater again...several months? Is the pic going to reprimand the floater for not doing something from several months ago? This is a poorly thought out idea.

It's called reporting to the DM. If you walk into a mess the next day, you tell the DM and the situation is dealt with.

Some of you guys are unbelievable. Why do you even work for these chains if you disdain them so much? If you're going to take the company's money as salary, then do what they say and stop crying on forums.

Too many pharmacists these days that cry about all these new company initiatives and want to float so they can "not have to deal with all of that." That's not how it works. Come to work, do the job, do it well, and go home. If you have a problem with this then go open a private pharmacy or work in a hospital.

This is precisely why I hate floaters. 90% of them don't give a flying crap and leave more work for the PIC to do to have to clean up after their misakes.

 

[Gombrich12]

Ah, the CVS gestapo mentality never gets old. I've seen many people play the game of report and write up and then themselves get shown the door later on. As a PIC your butt is on the line 24/7 so you might as well get a few people fired before they fire you too.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Floating is correct for me... now I just need to find the white makeup...

 

[Vain Brother]

floating is the best job ever. better yet, be lucky enough to work for a chain that's short on pharmacist help in the area and can give you full-time hours. see if anyone complains about you

 

[Old]

It's called reporting to the DM. If you walk into a mess the next day, you tell the DM and the situation is dealt with.

Some of you guys are unbelievable. Why do you even work for these chains if you disdain them so much? If you're going to take the company's money as salary, then do what they say and stop crying on forums.

Too many pharmacists these days that cry about all these new company initiatives and want to float so they can "not have to deal with all of that." That's not how it works. Come to work, do the job, do it well, and go home. If you have a problem with this then go open a private pharmacy or work in a hospital.

This is precisely why I hate floaters. 90% of them don't give a flying crap and leave more work for the PIC to do to have to clean up after their misakes.

My god son how old are you? Sounds like another emergent leader prospect(in your own mind anyway) with us. We have had a few of these here. I bet you are the best of the best. Best customer service, best metrics, and the list goes on. Don't worry you will figure it out eventually. We promise we won't laugh when you do.

 

[Eichhoernchen]

I was offered a Manager and a Floater position. After thinking a loooooong time, I decided floating is the better option right out of school so I am joining the team.. Hope I don't regret it.

 

[owlegrad]

I was offered a Manager and a Floater position. After thinking a loooooong time, I decided floating is the better option right out of school so I am joining the team.. Hope I don't regret it.

Good choice!

 

[PharmDstudent]

floating is the best job ever. better yet, be lucky enough to work for a chain that's short on pharmacist help in the area and can give you full-time hours. see if anyone complains about you

Precisely!

I was offered a Manager and a Floater position. After thinking a loooooong time, I decided floating is the better option right out of school so I am joining the team.. Hope I don't regret it.

As a floater, don't let your schedule consume you. I try to keep abreast a week out max. It takes patience to live like that, without roots, but I'm starting to find out that I have more endurance and purpose in other areas of my life because of it. In other words, I'm getting brave and unleashing myself.

Pharmacists can get uptight or angry whenever even the slightest things change, but what I'm starting to learn is that change works like a knife sharpener - sometimes you have the knife and sometimes they have the knife.

 

[Eichhoernchen]

As a floater, don't let your schedule consume you. I try to keep abreast a week out max. It takes patience to live like that, without roots, but I'm starting to find out that I have more endurance and purpose in other areas of my life because of it. In other words, I'm getting brave and unleashing myself.

Would you say it is difficult to have a social life? I will be in the NNJ/NYC area and might be up for a rude awakening thinking that I would be able to go out with friends! Haha Double-edged sword just like you mentioned.

 

[Vain Brother]

any pharmacist can have a social life

 

[PharmDstudent]

Would you say it is difficult to have a social life? I will be in the NNJ/NYC area and might be up for a rude awakening thinking that I would be able to go out with friends! Haha Double-edged sword just like you mentioned.

It depends on what social hour is for you. If everything has to be scheduled in advance then it's going to be difficult to make yourself available. Perhaps you'll have to do a lot of shift trading.

I worked with these floaters who *****ed about their schedules all day long, and you just want to be like, "Cheer up! There are starving children in Africa."

 

[BidingMyTime]

Don't get licensed right away! They will put you to work as soon as you pass, and you really want to have as much "gimme" experience as possible, otherwise you'll be really stressed out in a store by yourself. Especially with little retail background. You'll be working 32-40 hours a week as a grad intern, with weekends off (!!!). Once you tell them your exam dates, they'll give you that entire week off to study. Milk the grad internship part as much as you can. Unless you really need the money (grad intern = ~50% of full salary), grad intern life is pretty sweet.

What is wrong with your generation? I know many who think like you, and I don't get it. Why would you not want to be licensed as soon as possible to be making twice as much as you are making as a grad intern???? I thought it was bad in the old days having to wait until the 3rd week of June to test, I was chomping at the bit to get licensed. My advice, get licensed ASAP, and start paying off your school loans. Kids these days....

 

[nana007187]

I was recently resigned or maybe better to say forced to step down, I was in a store with 3 people quoting and they kept pressuring on how i don't meet the numbers with no help. make the long story short now I am floating, will they ever place me in store to be staff mph or even PIC again or am i pre much done.

 

[ldiot]

Do you get to stay within a single district floating? What's the farthest they will send you? Average drive?

 

[nana007187]

2 district no more than 20 miles but mainly close to home

 

[ldiot]

2 district no more than 20 miles but mainly close to home

Wow thats not too bad... but I'[m guessing that's a urban area? I've seen floaters come in from 2 hours away

 

[Rukn]

2 district no more than 20 miles but mainly close to home

that's good

I've had to travel almost an hour away one way to some places

I would say anything over 40 minutes or so is far

Really anything over 30 minutes is too much

 

[Eichhoernchen]

I travel average 20 minutes. Maybe every one or two months they will send me up to an hour away but have never traveled more.

 

[mentos]

I guess I'm different, I'm not a fan of floating. I like to be familiar with the route I take to work each time so I'm not too early or not late. I like to have a set schedule so I can plan social events and vacations ahead of time. I had my vacations for July, September and October/November all planned out by March this year. But that's just me.

 

[Rukn]

**** floating

I will **** these bastards hard when I quit

no notice at all

their mothers will even feel it

 

[FarmD711]

I guess I'm different, I'm not a fan of floating. I like to be familiar with the route I take to work each time so I'm not too early or not late. I like to have a set schedule so I can plan social events and vacations ahead of time. I had my vacations for July, September and October/November all planned out by March this year. But that's just me.

I had my vacations for this whole year planned out in November of last year. Being a floater didn't impact that.


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[Wickett]

**** floating

I will **** these bastards hard when I quit

no notice at all

their mothers will even feel it

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you'll hardly be a blip on their radar if you quit. You'll just be one of 10 other people in the area that quit that year.

 

[mentos]

I had my vacations for this whole year planned out in November of last year. Being a floater didn't impact that.


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How far ahead do you get your schedule? Can you plan something out 3 to 4 weeks ahead of time? How about 8 weeks? I also have a per diem job so I wouldn't be able to schedule my shifts if I floated.

 

[FarmD711]

How far ahead do you get your schedule? Can you plan something out 3 to 4 weeks ahead of time? How about 8 weeks? I also have a per diem job so I wouldn't be able to schedule my shifts if I floated.

I always have at least 2 months of schedule. So on August 1 I will get Octobers calendar.


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[Rukn]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you'll hardly be a blip on their radar if you quit. You'll just be one of 10 other people in the area that quit that year.

Those people won't leave a pool of blood behind them

 

[Humble Sloth]

Ah, the CVS gestapo mentality never gets old. I've seen many people play the game of report and write up and then themselves get shown the door later on. As a PIC your butt is on the line 24/7 so you might as well get a few people fired before they fire you too.

I was recently resigned or maybe better to say forced to step down, I was in a store with 3 people quoting and they kept pressuring on how i don't meet the numbers with no help. make the long story short now I am floating, will they ever place me in store to be staff mph or even PIC again or am i pre much done.

When you work at CVS you are not a pharmacist. You are one of many starved and bloody dogs fighting each other in a pit. Whoever dances to the tune of the dog and pony show the best gets to keep their job.