What would you do?

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SuperBenster

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I started working at a retail pharmacy about 2 weeks ago as a pharmacy tech (have 1 year exprience from another retail as a tech). Before I land on this job, I applied to a pharmacy technician position at the local hospital. I just got a call today saying that I am invited to an interview for this position. I know that I should just go to the interview but I feel like I am betraying my pharm. manager at the store. What would you guys do? Thanks!!
 
Well....

The irrational part of me is wondering which job you truly want as that is the job you should take.

But the rational part of me is thinking that it would be terrible for you to switch to a new job so quickly. They've already invested a good deal of time and money into you in the hopes of getting something back over the long term.

I suppose I didn't really help ya much, did I?
 
If I don't get pulled off the waitlist this year, I'm going to do both. If you can swing it, it wouldn't hurt to work at a hospital and work retail. If anything I think it would give you more flexibility at landing a spot after graduation if you were still working both spots.
 
I'd go with whoever's paying better, if neither job is more inconvenient than the other (in terms of commute, work hours, etc.)

You're obviously burning bridges with that pharmacy if you do go with the hospital job, however.
 
Go to the interview, see what happens, then go from there. One step at a time...
 
That is exactly what I was thinking. I wasn't favor of working in retail as a tech because of cranky customers and insurance rejections. Arhhhh... I just finished my training here and it will be a big shock to the pharmacy manager IF I get the hospital tech job. Well, every comment that will be on this thread will be a big help!! Thanks, pharhead!! 👍
 
1. Go to interview.
2. Wait and see if you're hired.
3a. Ascertain if you can work at both jobs if you like?
3b. If not, keep only the job that you want.

I personally would just go for whichever pays the most given the type of job that it is, but that's just me.
 
Not sure why you are even considering the feelings of your manager at the retail spot. This is a 100% business decision for you and his feelings should have no part in your business decisions. Ask yourself what Neutron Jack would do and do that.
 
If the pharmacy and/or store manager cannot understand that another opportunity came along for you that you prefer, that is their problem. It is not like you just stopped coming into work for no reason or moved to another retail store, you are trying to improve your knowledge base in a profession you which to become a member of for the rest of your life. Take the job that you will enjoy and learn from the most!
 
Yes, I would interview for the job - you may end up going and finding that it just isn't a good fit for you, in which case your problem is solved.

I personally worked retail and hospital at the same time during my P2 year. It was interesting to see both aspects. I ended up quitting the retail job, even though I actually kind of liked it more. I learned a lot at the hospital (though I will respectfully disagree that you will absolutely learn MORE at the hospital), but I was pretty much a glorified delivery person (I was technically an intern but my job duties were those of a technician). My point is, you can learn as much or as little from any job as you would like.

If you've never worked in a hospital (but you do have retail experience), I would be inclined to take the hospital job just so you can see what it is like.

All that said, I would try to see if you can work both places, at least for awhile, and then make your final decision based upon what you like more. In my case, the hospital paid about 25 cents more an hour - definitely not the disparity I often see reported in tech pay - so money wasn't a huge factor.

Edited to add: If you decide to leave your retail job so soon, just be honest with the manager about it. The fact is, pharmacy is a small world and many pharmacists know each other, no matter what practice setting they work in. You ultimately need to do what is best for you and you shouldn't feel guilty about it, but obviously you should try to do it without burning any bridges. Best of luck!
 
Yes, I would interview for the job - you may end up going and finding that it just isn't a good fit for you, in which case your problem is solved.

I personally worked retail and hospital at the same time during my P2 year. It was interesting to see both aspects. I ended up quitting the retail job, even though I actually kind of liked it more. I learned a lot at the hospital (though I will respectfully disagree that you will absolutely learn MORE at the hospital), but I was pretty much a glorified delivery person (I was technically an intern but my job duties were those of a technician). My point is, you can learn as much or as little from any job as you would like.

If you've never worked in a hospital (but you do have retail experience), I would be inclined to take the hospital job just so you can see what it is like.

All that said, I would try to see if you can work both places, at least for awhile, and then make your final decision based upon what you like more. In my case, the hospital paid about 25 cents more an hour - definitely not the disparity I often see reported in tech pay - so money wasn't a huge factor.

Edited to add: If you decide to leave your retail job so soon, just be honest with the manager about it. The fact is, pharmacy is a small world and many pharmacists know each other, no matter what practice setting they work in. You ultimately need to do what is best for you and you shouldn't feel guilty about it, but obviously you should try to do it without burning any bridges. Best of luck!

Yeah- I guess you are right. It is what you make of it. It also probably varies by hospital. But, I do think the advantage of working in a hospital is that you will be exposed to the clinical aspect of pharmacy. If you have the opportunity to be in the IV room, it is a goldmine of information. I would still go with the hospital. It probably pays more anyway.
 
Edited to add: If you decide to leave your retail job so soon, just be honest with the manager about it. The fact is, pharmacy is a small world and many pharmacists know each other, no matter what practice setting they work in. You ultimately need to do what is best for you and you shouldn't feel guilty about it, but obviously you should try to do it without burning any bridges. Best of luck!

That's the one thing I would be considered with. If you decide to leave, and don't do it just right, you can end up putting a mark on yourself. Who knows if 2-3 years down the road if that won't bite you in some way.
 
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