What chain to work for?

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PumpkinSmasher said:
Beggar's can't be choosers??? Well, do everything in your power to not be a beggar but instead a qualified, confident candidate!

I have student loans hanging over my head but I refuse to settle for a career path that does not challenge or excite me. Why spend all those years in school to do something you don't even like? Pure insanity!

The market is tough, no doubt! I have interviewed and been denied for two inpatient clinical pharm positions as well as a clinical pharm managed care position. It always stings getting rejected but you have to learn from the interview and the experience, stay proactive, and keep networking!

I have two inpt hybrid model pharmacist interviews lined up and one inpt staff pharm interview lined up. These interviews came through networking! Talking to faculty, preceptor, classmates, and calling around. You have to want it and move forward passionately. I have no guarntees I will get any of these positions but I will sell myself the best I can and learn from the experiences, hoping for a good fit for both parties!

Good luck to everyone out there, your first job most likely won't be your dream job but hopefully something that is a step toward your dream job.👍
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I think you misunderstood me, I'm by no means saying just settle for mediocrity or a job/position you purely hate. Of course try your best and be a go getter, that was implied and everyone should be doing that. The OP was asking about which chain to work for, I was simply saying that in this down economy and tight job market we really can't be all that picky and need to take whatever we can get. Obviously the OP is content with working retail, so I am, and there is nothing wrong with that at all.

For example: I've been with Walgreens for 6 years, but if Walgreens doesn't offer me a position upon graduation but Publix, CVS, Wal-Mart or some other chain does, you bet I'm going to jump on that rather than holding out for Walgreens. This doesn't mean that Walgreens or some other chain is my dream job, but it is a JOB and one that pays very well.

I for one am looking into Biomedical Informatics and plan on starting my Masters in Biomedical Informatics later this year or early next year. I will likely have to do a PGY1 residency and possibly a PGY2, which I understand will be difficult to get into. But just like you said, I'm going to try my hardest and not give up. But, I personally have absolutely no problem falling back on Walgreens or retail chain pharmacy if need be.
 
Allure said:
First of all, it is not the saddest thing you have ever heard because you use that line every day.

Second, I feel the need to eat every 2-3 hours, so how having one 30-min break is going to help me.

Third, nobody makes you work 14-hour shift. You can work 7 hours a day and work 6 days a week, but I suspect most people just want to work 3 days a week.

And lastly, when I said you have to work smart instead of hard...I meant you have to do things to make the work flow easier on you and not stress out about little things. It has nothing to do with taking breaks. And I usually do nothing the last hour and still get paid for it.

If you "hate" your profession so much, then do something about it.
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I'm with you man, I'm kinda the same way. I don't care for eating big meals or even taking long breaks while at work, it makes me lazy and tired. I can easily work a 9-10hr shift and be perfectly fine with snacking on a couple granola bars and drinking couple bottles of water. Yes it would be nice to have a structured and organized lunch break at times, but I prefer having a bunch of little breaks and snacks. Also, the stress at work is what you make of it...it seems to me the people that get stressed the most are usually the ones with short tempers, little tolerance, poor people skills or have personally drama/issues. I've come across countless Pharmacists that are not cut out for retail and shouldn't be working in retail because of such characteristics.
 
I am here to encourage you. I worked for Walgreens for just one year after graduation. Immunizations, MTM, no lunch breaks, floating, unstable hours not favorable to my spouse working hours. I can go on, and on, and on. I was pushed to the limit. I worked alone at a 24 hour store with 2 drive thru and only one technician. I was expected to give immunization also. Well, I found a new job with Walmart, then left them wanting. Walmart is the place to be.You are provided with at least 3 technicians and at least 1 cashier. There is more than enough help. Paid lunch (An hour lunch or 30 minutes) depending on the location. You are paid for mileage to drive to another location. It is a blessing to work there. All technicians are the same in retail pharmacy. Walmart allow their pharmacists to be just that. Hours of operation is 9 to 9. You can work every other saturday and never work on sundays. Walgreens makes you a glorified technician/cashier. Do not allow yourself to be abused. Make sure you have a job first before leaving the other one. Goodluck.
 
anua said:
I am here to encourage you. I worked for Walgreens for just one year after graduation. Immunizations, MTM, no lunch breaks, floating, unstable hours not favorable to my spouse working hours. I can go on, and on, and on. I was pushed to the limit. I worked alone at a 24 hour store with 2 drive thru and only one technician. I was expected to give immunization also. Well, I found a new job with Walmart, then left them wanting. Walmart is the place to be.You are provided with at least 3 technicians and at least 1 cashier. There is more than enough help. Paid lunch (An hour lunch or 30 minutes) depending on the location. You are paid for mileage to drive to another location. It is a blessing to work there. All technicians are the same in retail pharmacy. Walmart allow their pharmacists to be just that. Hours of operation is 9 to 9. You can work every other saturday and never work on sundays. Walgreens makes you a glorified technician/cashier. Do not allow yourself to be abused. Make sure you have a job first before leaving the other one. Goodluck.
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I second this about Walmart. Yes it is retail, but the stores are well staffed and we take 30 min -1 hour lunch break everyday. The pharmacy closes for lunch when there is only 1 pharmacist. I have few complaints about Walmart as a company to work for. I enjoy my job for the most part and I work every 3rd weekend. The pay is higher than most retail places too. No MTM, shots, flavoring of meds, price matching...
 
Smilescali said:
I second this about Walmart. Yes it is retail, but the stores are well staffed and we take 30 min -1 hour lunch break everyday. The pharmacy closes for lunch when there is only 1 pharmacist. I have few complaints about Walmart as a company to work for. I enjoy my job for the most part and I work every 3rd weekend. The pay is higher than most retail places too. No MTM, shots, flavoring of meds, price matching...
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That sounds pretty sweet, I've heard good things about Walmart as well. I don't plan on staying at Walgreens forever and I know eventually I'll get burned out. For now I'm trying my best to stay in good terms with them, in the hopes that I can at least secure myself (no guarantees though) a position upon graduation. Like I said, with everything that is going on in this economy and especially the profession of pharmacy...some job is better than no job.

But, in the meantime I'm going to pursue the Biomedical Informatics specialization and try my hardest to make myself a valuable healthcare professional and expand my horizons. My wife is a front end Manager (EXA) with Walgreens and has been with the company for 7 years...she is already getting burnt out and is looking to move into a less stressful/chaotic management role outside of retail pharmacy. But with me in school and not able to work many hours, we have to just do what we can right now to get by until I graduate and more doors open up.
 
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