I really need advice please. I was looking for a job for 2 months and finally got an offer with Walgreens for salaried full time floating position. I accepted it but then I got an interview with Walmart and they want to offer me a job. I told Walmart that I have an offer and the DM said he will try to give me a competitive pay (3dollars more) but it's not guaranteed full time. Although he did say that there will be plenty of extra shifts that I could pick up.
My first question is which company is better to work at. Most said Walmart is better since they have more tech hrs and a lunch break. Walgreens is a little more stressful since they care a lot of metrics and numbers. I just want to know which company is better to work for in the long run.
My second question is, if I can still back out of the offer with Walgreens. I accepted the offer online and did my drug screening. I have not signed W2 or anything else with them. And if I back out now, will I be black listed with Walgreens forever?
Thank you so much!
I was a pharmacy intern at Walmart and I can give you what it's like to work at Walmart
Pro:
1. 30 mins lunch
2. More tech hours
3. No-drive thru
4. Walmart Wellness Day (I think it's a waste of money and time)
Con:
1. Under Walmart policy, consultation required for every new prescription and every new refill prescription. This can be stupid when patients on the same medications for years and they hate to wait for it when they clearly know how to take it. Also, this can slow down your process especially when patients have multiple questions at the consultation
2. 30 mins lunch break sounds great but there always patients come in 1 min before you close down (this happens during weekend because on weekend there only 1 pharmacist) , therefore, you have to cut down your lunchtime while your techs still get full 30 mins lunch or tell patients to come back after lunch (this can be a **** show because patients wait 30 mins more to pick up or drop off their prescription). Even though you get lunch late for helping patients but you still have to open back at right time or they will call Walmart corporation to complaint. (Trust me, this is happening before and you want to avoid it).
3. Walmart is very strict especially controlled substance and you have to call doctors for every clarification (like tablets to capsules...this is ridiculous when I call a doctor and trust me it not a fun experience when a nurse calling you "stupid" and "useless") and patients will be mad at you of why it takes so long.
4. There are lots of CBL (online modules) for pharmacists to do. That's suck. Imagine trying to do those when you are busy. There's a specific deadline you need to be done.
5. Lots of patients come in and ask you about OTC or random questions and can cause distraction and slow you down. Compare to CVS or Walgreen, there are few or none. This is based on my experience
6. At my store, the average time to fill a prescription from 20-35 mins depends on how busy we are. This took way too long. There are so many steps that we need to follow. There are a couple of times when techs put wrong medications in the wrong bags (this step is waste of time)
7. There are less Walmart stores compare to Walgreen, therefore, the driving from one store to another store sucks and take too long.
8. Less stores = less hours = less money (it's simple). I saw this when a floating pharmacist has to drive an hour or 2 hours to work and the avg. hours are 28-34 per week.
For long run, if you need the money then choose Walgreen (full time guarantee). If you want work less then choose Walmart. Although you can pick up shift at Walmart but are you willing to drive 1-2 hrs every day. This can be depends where you live.
All of these based on my experience only
