unhappy and looking for advice

[lilymar]

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Hello my fellow pharmacists,

I did something really really stupid and signed a 3 year contract with a retail chain right out of school. In return I received a sign on bonus of 30K. With the money I paid off my wedding and honeymoon debts, bought a used car (I didn't have one before graduation), and a new couch. That money is gone.

I have about 2 years left on my contract and I think every day about finding some way to pay the money back and get out of this job. I would have to pay the money back with interest. In the past year I've saved about 25K, but it was supposed to be for a down payment on a home or condo. I know I will probably have to just stick it out for another 2 years, but I am feeling so miserable and stressed.

I can't help myself from researching hospital jobs and jobs in other areas of pharmacy and I wish I could apply. When I signed the contract 3 years seemed like no time, but now 2 more years feels like forever.

I know I should have known better, and it is my fault, but I honestly didn't think I would hate retail pharmacy as much as I do. Maybe it is just my store, but I can't take the constant abuse. I get screamed at by customers all day long, I feel beaten down. Nine out of ten times my customers are not receptive to any counseling I attempt, they just want to scream at me about wait times and insurance problems. Most of my techs are inexperienced which is another problem. I'm a very nice person, but I feel like a punching bag, I am physically exhausted, and I just want to quit. I am constantly stressed and miserable. I've spoken to district manager but get told things will get better but I'm skeptical.

It's hard for me to discuss this with family and friends because I'm embarrassed that my high paying job makes me so unhappy. My husband is understanding, but he's still in grad school so he's worried about me using our only savings to pay back the bonus. I tell myself I can make it but then I have days where I come home crying and just want to leave it all behind.

I just need some advice from people who understand. Thanks.

 

[RxWildcat]

Have you talked to other employers to see if they would be willing to pay off your debt to your current employer? If you're unhappy then I would get out as soon as you can. Trust me, you're not alone in disliking retail.

 

[lilymar]

I hadn't thought of that. I am not sure if a hospital would be willing to cough up so much, but thanks for the idea.

The funny thing is that I originally didn't want to work in a hospital, be stuck sitting verifying orders all day with limited pt contact. Now I'd jump at the chance to be able to sit down, and I've had all the patient contact I need for a while. I'm really starting to feel like people are evil. (joking...sort of)

 

[nnguyenc]

i think i was made for retail

my wife & mom constantly yell at me when I'm at home
about chores and how i spend my money

my tolerance/abuse level has gotten really high
so when customers yell at me....i laugh in their face

 

[medicalCPA]

I'm not even a pharmacy student yet, but I just wanted to say that I'm hoping that things get better for you.

And like RXWildcat said, can you not find employers who would be willing to pay off that debt? If I were that unhappy, I would even offer for prospective employers to take the money out of my paycheck.

 

[loo]

Have you tried asking for a transfer to another store?

Additional training for your techs?

 

[YapYap6]

It's too bad they didn't give you experienced techs. They tend to deflect a lot of the **** before it reaches you. Are you able to transfer to a different store? Retail can be a real bitch and I know this first hand. You just have develop a thick skin and kill people with kindness.

 

[twester]

I hear your frustration. I can understand why you want to walk away, but before you do...

Have you considered that this may be an opportunity for you to overcome some of your interpersonal issues? You say that you feel like a punching bag which makes it sound like you are feeling victimized. It's your pharmacy and you are in charge of how your patients and staff treat you. Have you considered getting some assertiveness coaching so that you can take control of your work environment?

Maybe you could spend the next two years on these issues so you could then quit the job as a reward for your success at managing these obstacles? And you wouldn't be devastating yourself financially in the process.

You also have a unique opportunity to fine-tune your inexperienced techs into a real asset for yourself. Good techs make a pharmacy tick and, as their boss, you have a responsibility to them to help their development.

I don't want you to get the feeling that I'm not empathizing with your situation, just asking if you've considered approaching the problem from another direction. If I were in your shoes, I know I'd be considering resignation as well. However, since you're tied to this company for the next two years, you might be able to salvage the situation to your advantage.

Good luck to you.

 

[pharmacology888]

I think it's easier said than done - but sometimes you need develop a thick skin. It's not your fault if the wait time is longer than they expected (they don't yell at their doctors for the hours they sit at the doctor's office right?)or if the insurance decides to charge them more than they expected (we don't have that much power to overrule insurance companies).
Just out of curiosity, did you work in retail before you got out of school? And if so, is this the same chain you worked for before?
Good luck with everything and tell us about how your life progresses! If you need to vent somemore, sdn will always be here!

 

[Pharmavixen]

This jumped out at me:

Most of my techs are inexperienced which is another problem.

Inexperienced techs = poor retention of staff = hellhole. It also explains the generous signing bonus.

Can you transfer to another store without penalty? Even if it's in the same chain, it may make a huge difference in your quality of life. I worked for various stores in a large retail chain for 12 years, and though it was all retail hell, some were much more tolerable than others.

I'm a very nice person

Me too. But for the sake of my sanity, I learned to be less nice.

A few tips: NEVER APOLOGIZE unless you actually made a mistake. Being too obsequious (ie, apologizing for things you have no control over) is taken as a sign of weakness by some people.

Take control. If someone brings in a fiddly dermatological mixture at a busy time (that is, any time), tell them it's a fiddly mixture, and could they pick it up tomorrow. If people are going to wait 45 minutes cause you're so swamped, just say, "We're really backed up right now; do you want to drop it off and pick it up later?" You're under no obligation to serve everybody immediately.

Be firm with your customers--they'll respect you more. If they make unreasonable requests, just say no, and mean it; don't be apologetic about it (see above). You're not obligated to drop everything and call to see why somebody's deductible increased. If someone just moved to the neighbourhood and wants you to call their old pharmacy and transfer over their twelve prescriptions, they can definitely come back later (tomorrow is always better).

WRONG: "You've got sort of a lot of pills here. Would it be okay if you picked it up later or maybe even tomorrow??" RIGHT: "We can't get this done today. What time tomorrow is good for you?"

A stress-reliever: recommend the most expensive brands of OTCs to rude, nasty people.

And if someone tells you to hurry because they have a cab waiting, tell them to f*** off.

 

[Fuzzychickens]

This jumped out at me:

Inexperienced techs = poor retention of staff = hellhole. It also explains the generous signing bonus.

Can you transfer to another store without penalty? Even if it's in the same chain, it may make a huge difference in your quality of life. I worked for various stores in a large retail chain for 12 years, and though it was all retail hell, some were much more tolerable than others.
Me too. But for the sake of my sanity, I learned to be less nice.

A few tips: NEVER APOLOGIZE unless you actually made a mistake. Being too obsequious (ie, apologizing for things you have no control over) is taken as a sign of weakness by some people.

Take control. If someone brings in a fiddly dermatological mixture at a busy time (that is, any time), tell them it's a fiddly mixture, and could they pick it up tomorrow. If people are going to wait 45 minutes cause you're so swamped, just say, "We're really backed up right now; do you want to drop it off and pick it up later?" You're under no obligation to serve everybody immediately.

Be firm with your customers--they'll respect you more. If they make unreasonable requests, just say no, and mean it; don't be apologetic about it (see above). You're not obligated to drop everything and call to see why somebody's deductible increased. If someone just moved to the neighbourhood and wants you to call their old pharmacy and transfer over their twelve prescriptions, they can definitely come back later (tomorrow is always better).

WRONG: "You've got sort of a lot of pills here. Would it be okay if you picked it up later or maybe even tomorrow??" RIGHT: "We can't get this done today. What time tomorrow is good for you?"

A stress-reliever: recommend the most expensive brands of OTCs to rude, nasty people.

And if someone tells you to hurry because they have a cab waiting, tell them to f*** off.

Exactly,except for the &*^& off part...lol. It will take time to learn how to establish boudaries and command some respect, but you need to do it before you allow any more stress to load on you. The fastest and least stressed pharmacists I work with are very clear about where their boundaries are and bitchy/whiney/crybaby patients do not change an hour wait time into 15 minutes.

Any patient that is abusive with any of the techs or pharmacists are usually "flagged" and warned - then banned as patients if they ignore the warning.
We get tons of emergency room patients - the biggest source of unruly people - we still manage to keep stress levels down.

Also make it clear to managment "The customer is always right" attitude doesn't fly when patients act in an obscene manner. Our managers don't try to dump that bs on our pharmacists...they respect their professional status and let them run the pharmacy and set the rules.

 

[imperial frog]

Hello my fellow pharmacists,

I did something really really stupid and signed a 3 year contract with a retail chain right out of school. In return I received a sign on bonus of 30K. With the money I paid off my wedding and honeymoon debts, bought a used car (I didn't have one before graduation), and a new couch. That money is gone.

If you hadn't signed the deal you would still have the debt from the wedding so it seems as if this is a wash for you...actually it's probably in your favor since the bonus should be prorated for the year you worked for them. Yeah it's a pain to pay them back, but financially you're better off for doing it then if you hadn't done it.

 

[Luvableb]

Just curious, what retail store offered you 30k sign-on bonus? How did you get set up with a deal like that? Did they pay for your college tuition as well?

 

[dr of rx]

I think you have a few options:

1- look for another employer that may pay off some or all of your debt. I have heard of this, but most times the places that do it are also retail. Maybe you could find a quiet grocery store retail location.

2- stick it out with the peace of mind that you have no debt from your wedding and extra savings in the bank. It sucks, but you do what you have to do.

3- try to get moved to another store. Maybe it will suck too, but at least it is a different location. the grass may not be greener, but at least its a different yard.

One thing for sure is that the retail devil you work for (probably Fright Aid or CVStress) has more lawyers on staff than you do. If you try to skip out on them or look for a loop hole you'll be in it deep.

 

[Pharmavixen]

Remember that in pharmacy, the customer isn't always right. We have laws with which we must comply, and the customers just have to deal.

Another tip: if someone is grumpy because they want their drug right away, do it if you can. I don't mean filling their prescription right away. But if someone just had a root canal and doesn't want to wait 45 minutes for his T#3, give him a couple and a glass of water (after you've ascertained he's not driving), and explain that there's lots of people ahead of him and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it. Once medicated, he will happily wait.

Years ago, I did a two year stint at a store that served lots of psychiatric patients due to a large clinic in the area. They tended to all come in together with multiple scripts. I'd say, "Okay, people; this is going to take awhile." And they'd sit and read magazines. Once a guy came in who was working up to a florid psychosis. Agitated, he kept saying, "I need my meds," and talk to his voices, pacing up and down. I announced, "I'm putting this guy first," and everybody nodded in agreement before going back to their magazines.

Most people are okay if they know what's going on. Some people are just a$$holes, and that's not your fault or your responsibility.

Basically, it's about taking control as much as you can. You're not obligated to grovel before every biped that shambles through your door.

 

[Wan2BPharmD]

This might seem kinda random and not specific to pharmacy, but I once read that if you're stressed, sing/hum a song.

I tried, and sure enough, it may not fix the problem but I do feel alot better....random thought I guess. Most of the other stuff that need to be said has already been said. Good luck with everything.

 

[RAMPHARMD]

This jumped out at me:

Inexperienced techs = poor retention of staff = hellhole. It also explains the generous signing bonus.

Can you transfer to another store without penalty? Even if it's in the same chain, it may make a huge difference in your quality of life. I worked for various stores in a large retail chain for 12 years, and though it was all retail hell, some were much more tolerable than others.
Me too. But for the sake of my sanity, I learned to be less nice.

A few tips: NEVER APOLOGIZE unless you actually made a mistake. Being too obsequious (ie, apologizing for things you have no control over) is taken as a sign of weakness by some people.

Take control. If someone brings in a fiddly dermatological mixture at a busy time (that is, any time), tell them it's a fiddly mixture, and could they pick it up tomorrow. If people are going to wait 45 minutes cause you're so swamped, just say, "We're really backed up right now; do you want to drop it off and pick it up later?" You're under no obligation to serve everybody immediately.

Be firm with your customers--they'll respect you more. If they make unreasonable requests, just say no, and mean it; don't be apologetic about it (see above). You're not obligated to drop everything and call to see why somebody's deductible increased. If someone just moved to the neighbourhood and wants you to call their old pharmacy and transfer over their twelve prescriptions, they can definitely come back later (tomorrow is always better).

WRONG: "You've got sort of a lot of pills here. Would it be okay if you picked it up later or maybe even tomorrow??" RIGHT: "We can't get this done today. What time tomorrow is good for you?"

A stress-reliever: recommend the most expensive brands of OTCs to rude, nasty people.

And if someone tells you to hurry because they have a cab waiting, tell them to f*** off.

Will you come work at my pharmacy? 😀

 

[collegegirl247]

Hello my fellow pharmacists,

I did something really really stupid and signed a 3 year contract with a retail chain right out of school. In return I received a sign on bonus of 30K. With the money I paid off my wedding and honeymoon debts, bought a used car (I didn't have one before graduation), and a new couch. That money is gone.

I have about 2 years left on my contract and I think every day about finding some way to pay the money back and get out of this job. I would have to pay the money back with interest. In the past year I've saved about 25K, but it was supposed to be for a down payment on a home or condo. I know I will probably have to just stick it out for another 2 years, but I am feeling so miserable and stressed.

I can't help myself from researching hospital jobs and jobs in other areas of pharmacy and I wish I could apply. When I signed the contract 3 years seemed like no time, but now 2 more years feels like forever.

I know I should have known better, and it is my fault, but I honestly didn't think I would hate retail pharmacy as much as I do. Maybe it is just my store, but I can't take the constant abuse. I get screamed at by customers all day long, I feel beaten down. Nine out of ten times my customers are not receptive to any counseling I attempt, they just want to scream at me about wait times and insurance problems. Most of my techs are inexperienced which is another problem. I'm a very nice person, but I feel like a punching bag, I am physically exhausted, and I just want to quit. I am constantly stressed and miserable. I've spoken to district manager but get told things will get better but I'm skeptical.

It's hard for me to discuss this with family and friends because I'm embarrassed that my high paying job makes me so unhappy. My husband is understanding, but he's still in grad school so he's worried about me using our only savings to pay back the bonus. I tell myself I can make it but then I have days where I come home crying and just want to leave it all behind.

I just need some advice from people who understand. Thanks.

retail is so hard because most of the time insurance problems lead to all other problems!! aka nasty customers and stressed out techs...

honestly though the company does not want to loose you... sit down with the district manager and tell him you need to be relocated to a slower store (where you will still have these problems, but less) or you are going to find another job period- no negotiation. Stop thinking about how the company feels- think about yourself, if you are unhappy- you do what you need to in order to change that.

 

[Pharmavixen]

Will you come work at my pharmacy?

That depends on the signing bonus you're offering 😛

Sit down with the district manager and tell him you need to be relocated to a slower store (where you will still have these problems, but less) or you are going to find another job period- no negotiation.

👍👍

 

[ShannonIV]

pharmvixen,
great, great tips. Do you have any more? I need this kind of advice. Retail is killing me.

 

[RxWildcat]

Basically what everyone else is saying, but don't let people walk all over you, If you let them then they will.

 

[OHPharm]

Not understanding why most retail store does not provide chairs to workers, to be able to sit down once in a while will help with decreasing the physical stress to a great level.

 

[Caverject]

Not understanding why most retail store does not provide chairs to workers, to be able to sit down once in a while will help with decreasing the physical stress to a great level.

you've never worked in retail before, have you? It's not a bank

 

[OHPharm]

I did for couple of months and stopped. Even if there are times that are not busy, not supposed to sit down and there are no chairs!

 

[Caverject]

I did for couple of months and stopped. Even if there are times that are not busy, not supposed to sit down and there are no chairs!

again, it's not a bank. You don't get paid to sit on your ass.

 

[MountainPharmD]

Not understanding why most retail store does not provide chairs to workers, to be able to sit down once in a while will help with decreasing the physical stress to a great level.

Sit down?!?!? Sit down?!?!?! Who has time to sit down!!!!

 

[ttopping]

again, it's not a bank. You don't get paid to sit on your ass.

well technically you don't get paid to stand either, you get paid to be a pharmacist. I think all they're saying is it would be nice to have a chair if you're getting a bunch of doctor calls off the voice mail, or going through checking scripts, or you have to make some doctor calls, etc. 12 hours is a long day to stand around if you don't work at a busy store.

 

[StallionRx]

Some days are worse than others.

It sucks because you typically go home remembering the one or two instances you had to deal with some ***** from the day and forget about the many other decent conversations and thanks you got.

Sometimes it seems like some people are actually looking for a fight or blood. These members of the community I try and dismiss as quickly as possible. My techs know when the PITAs come in I want them OUT ASAP!

Dont let it get you down, the public is truly a miserable group to deal with and its not just us. Every pharmacist thats ever worked a day in retail can tell a story where a patient has tried to give them a hard time. Once, somebody told me they were coming back with a gun. (Serious, LOL) Ive known doctors, dentists, optometrists etc. that all have their fair share of stories of dealing with rude and obnoxious patients.

 

[dr of rx]

12 hours is a long day to stand around if you don't work at a busy store.

busy or not, 12 hrs is a long time to stand. they need to treat us like human beings not farm animals...

(BTW, my new job is much better..still retail but I have a padded chair with a back support! )

 

[104921]

again, it's not a bank. You don't get paid to sit on your ass.

I agree with the person above, I'm not really sure why sitting down is such a big deal, most specifically when it's slow. The pharmacy staff is paid to practice their skill, not hold a contest to see who can stand the longest without getting osteoporosis or something. On my friday nights, it is dead after 7, and we are open til 10. Me and my pharmacist drag the stools over and sit, and this is a cvs. The only problem I can see with this would be in a busy store where the pharmacist is at the verification station for most the day, where it would be feasible to sit, but the techs are going to be running around nonstop all day with no chance to rest save for a lunch break (if they get one); this would not be fair.

Anyways, that was off topic. A 30k signing bonus boggles my mind; they must have been desperate to get someone in that store. I'm going to be sure to do my research before deciding on something too quickly once I'm out of school. I empathize either way. :/

 

[SELDANE]

Lilymar, it sounds as though you've signed a contract with someone like Walgreens or CVS. Very well, what you need to do is first accept that you still owe them 2 more years. Second, determine what it is that you can do to make your situation tolerable for the remaining two years. Someone has suggested that you talk with your supervisor that's not a bad idea, however I say you make a list of what needs to change and begin implementing your changes. What's the worst that's going to happen? The company cant tolerate your demands and they fire you? At that point you are no longer responsible for any sign on bonus. Make sure your demands are resonable and fair. I've worked retail before and know that sometimes resonable demands are considered unreasonable by a retail chain. Once you've come to some agreement with your employer ( I think they'll find a way to work with you. They've got 30 thousand reasons to keep you.) spend time deciding where you want to work and what aspect of pharmacy you'd like to pursue.

 

[Strength&Speed]

PharmVixen's advice is good for anyone, anywhere, doing any type of job, or even if they are just breathing air. thanks pharmvixen.

 

[Pharmavixen]

PharmVixen's advice is good for anyone, anywhere, doing any type of job, or even if they are just breathing air. thanks pharmvixen.

😳

It sucks because you typically go home remembering the one or two instances you had to deal with some ***** from the day and forget about the many other decent conversations and thanks you got.

Yes; one person can ruin your whole shift.

I no longer work in retail, except for one day a week in a small store that serves mainly methadone to opioid addicts. It's pretty straightforward compared with regular retail. But I believe that retail experience at some point in your career is good for everybody, because you learn sooooo much about human nature and it will serve you well, whatever you're doing.

Basically, when I first graduated, I was a shy science nerd. But 12 years of retail, and I've got a lot more moxie.

 

[RxWildcat]

😳

But I believe that retail experience at some point in your career is good for everybody, because you learn sooooo much about human nature and it will serve you well, whatever you're doing.

I definitely agree with this, it paints a whole new picture of the "average" person.

 

[Strength&Speed]

[

 

[foraminal]

$30k bonus before taxes = a lot of enchiladas.
$30k bonus after taxes = peanut shells.

Bonuses are taxed at a higher rate than your income tax.