Walmart vs. Ralphs

[sciencechick]

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Hi, I'm debating between working at Walmart Pharmacy and Ralphs (chain grocery store in Southern CA). Both managers are eager to use me for the intern position. Since we haven't sat down to discuss pay yet, I was wondering if you guys could shed some light on the following aspects on either one or both pharmacies:
1) pay rate
2) benefits, if any, haha
3) work environment--busy? how many scripts/day?
4) what do you do as a 1st yr intern? counsel? fill?
5) do you learn a lot?
6) any hour requirements? like does one pharmacy require you to work a minimum of 20 hours/week?

throughout pharmacy schools, I want to try a few pharmacies--so anyway to accept 1 pharmacy but tell the manager at the other that I'd like to work at his/her pharmacy in a few months? that is, how do I politely turn down the other but keep all doors open (b/c I want to give the other place a shot in the future)?

 

[greenwood]

Hi, I'm debating between working at Walmart Pharmacy and Ralphs (chain grocery store in Southern CA). Both managers are eager to use me for the intern position. Since we haven't sat down to discuss pay yet, I was wondering if you guys could shed some light on the following aspects on either one or both pharmacies:
1) pay rate
2) benefits, if any, haha
3) work environment--busy? how many scripts/day?
4) what do you do as a 1st yr intern? counsel? fill?
5) do you learn a lot?
6) any hour requirements? like does one pharmacy require you to work a minimum of 20 hours/week?

throughout pharmacy schools, I want to try a few pharmacies--so anyway to accept 1 pharmacy but tell the manager at the other that I'd like to work at his/her pharmacy in a few months? that is, how do I politely turn down the other but keep all doors open (b/c I want to give the other place a shot in the future)?

Go with Wal Mart. There is more opportunity there. On a seperate note, I need to buy materials to study for NAPLEX. Can you help me out?

 

[bananaface]

Wal-Mart is ebil. 👎

 

[GravyRPH]

Thats like Coke vs Pepsi. You'll get so many different opinions on which is better. I still stand by the opinion that it doesn't matter what sign is hanging above the door when you walk in, but who is working behind the counter. What you get out of each internship is going to heavily depend on the phamarcist(s) that you are working with.

 

[greenwood]

Wal-Mart is ebil. 👎

Reality: Unions are "ebil".

 

[sharktiger]

Hi, I'm debating between working at Walmart Pharmacy and Ralphs (chain grocery store in Southern CA). Both managers are eager to use me for the intern position. Since we haven't sat down to discuss pay yet, I was wondering if you guys could shed some light on the following aspects on either one or both pharmacies:
1) pay rate
2) benefits, if any, haha
3) work environment--busy? how many scripts/day?
4) what do you do as a 1st yr intern? counsel? fill?
5) do you learn a lot?
6) any hour requirements? like does one pharmacy require you to work a minimum of 20 hours/week?


Walgreens have a really good tuition reimbursement/assistant program. They will help you with 1st year up to graduation, depending on your needs 🙄

 

[illusions]

Hi, I'm debating between working at Walmart Pharmacy and Ralphs (chain grocery store in Southern CA). Both managers are eager to use me for the intern position. Since we haven't sat down to discuss pay yet, I was wondering if you guys could shed some light on the following aspects on either one or both pharmacies:
1) pay rate
2) benefits, if any, haha
3) work environment--busy? how many scripts/day?
4) what do you do as a 1st yr intern? counsel? fill?
5) do you learn a lot?
6) any hour requirements? like does one pharmacy require you to work a minimum of 20 hours/week?


Walgreens have a really good tuition reimbursement/assistant program. They will help you with 1st year up to graduation, depending on your needs 🙄

I think the original poster meant walmart. But I'm not all that fond of walgreens scholarship thing. I'm not really sure how it is at other places. But if u decide not to work for them, the entire balance becomes due immediately. In addition, if you have a 4 yr committment and you leave after 3.5 yrs...u still have to pay everything back. 1 year of work does not reduce a year of comittment.

 

[rxlynn]

Hi, I'm debating between working at Walmart Pharmacy and Ralphs (chain grocery store in Southern CA). Both managers are eager to use me for the intern position. Since we haven't sat down to discuss pay yet, I was wondering if you guys could shed some light on the following aspects on either one or both pharmacies:
1) pay rate
2) benefits, if any, haha
3) work environment--busy? how many scripts/day?
4) what do you do as a 1st yr intern? counsel? fill?
5) do you learn a lot?
6) any hour requirements? like does one pharmacy require you to work a minimum of 20 hours/week?

Hi - I agree with the earlier poster - it totally depends on what the specific pharmacy and pharmacists you would be working with are like. I am a tech at CVS right now, and my store does about 1700 rxs a week and the store 3 miles from us does double that volume. I've worked at both, and the work atmosphere is very different between the two!! Try to find out exactly which store you would be working at and go and talk to the pharmacists - see if you think you would be a good fit personality-wise and find out more specifics on the store. I'm assuming from your question that you don't have significant retail experience, so in answer to question #5, I'm sure that you will learn a lot! Good luck.

 

[leighlee]

Hi, I'm debating between working at Walmart Pharmacy and Ralphs (chain grocery store in Southern CA). Both managers are eager to use me for the intern position. Since we haven't sat down to discuss pay yet, I was wondering if you guys could shed some light on the following aspects on either one or both pharmacies:
1) pay rate
2) benefits, if any, haha
3) work environment--busy? how many scripts/day?
4) what do you do as a 1st yr intern? counsel? fill?
5) do you learn a lot?
6) any hour requirements? like does one pharmacy require you to work a minimum of 20 hours/week?

throughout pharmacy schools, I want to try a few pharmacies--so anyway to accept 1 pharmacy but tell the manager at the other that I'd like to work at his/her pharmacy in a few months? that is, how do I politely turn down the other but keep all doors open (b/c I want to give the other place a shot in the future)?

This maybe too late since it's end of November but....
1) Ralphs pays way less than Walmart
2) Benefits - don't know this one
3) Ralphs does little (depending on the location - at most 200/day)
4) As an intern you do everything in both pharmacies
5) At Ralphs they are implementing clinicals programs
6) Laid back hours at Ralphs (~8/wk)

I just did my clerkship at Ralphs. Enjoyed it very much. Very little volume and nice people. As for Walmart, classmates say they like it because of the pay. So pros and cons to consider. Hope that helps some.