Two questions.. (job dilemma + pharm electives)

[KB830]

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1) I currently work at a hospital and CVS. One of the pharmacists at the hospital job works 1 day at the hospital, but is a director at a bigger (and more respected) hospital. I asked if he needed someone for once every other week as a technician. He said he would like that, but I would have to wait until I get my interning license (1 year from now), as it is substantially easier for him to hire interns (if not, it must be posted for the whole hospital as an open job). To make a long story short, I was wondering if it is wise to quit CVS in such a bad economy. There are millions of CVS, but only 1 of EACH hospital. However, I would much rather work in hospital than retail. In addition, the hospital I currently work at has told me that they would hire me as a pharmacist, IF possible at the time I graduate (there are a good amount of people on the path to the retirement age, but whether or not they will retire at that age is unknown). In addition, the director of the other hospital said that I should look into compounding pharmacy, and he would help me with it when I graduate. As you can see, I have made very good connections with people who work in hospitals.

2) Do pharmacy school electives really matter? History of Pharmacy is a joke AND fills my schedule nicely. However, Research Techniques in Medicinal Chemistry may be useful, but would cause me to come in at 8:15 as opposed to 10:20 and 11:40 for two days. Or I could take Bench Research in Pharmacy, but idk about that.

 

[Old Timer]

1) I currently work at a hospital and CVS. One of the pharmacists at the hospital job works 1 day at the hospital, but is a director at a bigger (and more respected) hospital. I asked if he needed someone for once every other week as a technician. He said he would like that, but I would have to wait until I get my interning license (1 year from now), as it is substantially easier for him to hire interns (if not, it must be posted for the whole hospital as an open job). To make a long story short, I was wondering if it is wise to quit CVS in such a bad economy. There are millions of CVS, but only 1 of EACH hospital. However, I would much rather work in hospital than retail. In addition, the hospital I currently work at has told me that they would hire me as a pharmacist, IF possible at the time I graduate (there are a good amount of people on the path to the retirement age, but whether or not they will retire at that age is unknown). In addition, the director of the other hospital said that I should look into compounding pharmacy, and he would help me with it when I graduate. As you can see, I have made very good connections with people who work in hospitals.

When you get your intern license, quit your job at CVS and work at the hospital. It's where you want to practice.

2) Do pharmacy school electives really matter? History of Pharmacy is a joke AND fills my schedule nicely. However, Research Techniques in Medicinal Chemistry may be useful, but would cause me to come in at 8:15 as opposed to 10:20 and 11:40 for two days. Or I could take Bench Research in Pharmacy, but idk about that.

Are you kidding me? It will never matter. Unless you love Med Chem, take the course that fits your schedule the best.

 

[fattunesy]

When you get your intern license, quit your job at CVS and work at the hospital. It's where you want to practice.

I concur...hospital is SWEET.

 

[Chris co2012]

I had a pharmacy elective in which the professor kept canceling class. My favorite class so far.

 

[Praziquantel86]

Work at CVS until you get the hospital job. If you can keep working at CVS as well, it's a bonus. More cash and it'll keep you fresh on the outpatient world (you'd be surprised how quickly all that know-how disappears).

Electives don't make a difference unless your school offers specific practice tracks with electives filling those requirements (even then, it might not matter that much). Take whatever you're interested in...really the last chance you'll have to do that.

 

[deleted205891]

1)CVS might not have a spot for you upon graduation (as I know is happening to people in my class). Do hospital.

2)Some electives might matter, but taking another med chem course will not. Do the history one.

 

[owlegrad]

Great advice so far. I wouldn't quit CVS until you start at the hospital - keeping all your ducks in a row, ya'know?

As for electives...take the path of least resistance. 😉

 

[KB830]

thanks all 😀

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

thanks all 😀

Nice job making connections, just keep working hard and meeting people. Work your ass off in the hospital, see as much as you can...ask the director and pharmacists about projects. Obviously you need to balance this with didactic work but hands on experience in the hospital is so valuable if inpatient is what you want post-graduation.

 

[R xxx]

I took history of pharmacy and it was not an easy class. It ended up being so much work with lots of papers.

Don't quit. You can always try to work less hours, but keep your foot in the door.

 

[KB830]

I took history of pharmacy and it was not an easy class. It ended up being so much work with lots of papers.

Don't quit. You can always try to work less hours, but keep your foot in the door.

Did you go to Rutgers? If so, I heard its open book and relatively easy?