Which job should I take?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Sparda29

Sparda29

En Taro Adun
Lifetime Donor
Verified Member
Pharmacist
Verified Expert
15+ Year Member
Platinum Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2008
Messages
9,847
Reaction score
1,843
Members do not see this ad.
I was offered a job in April for overnight staff RPh all the way out in east Suffolk county. Pays $55/hr + differential, 20 vacation days, union, medical/dental/vision, 12 sick days, and 3 personal days that you get after 1 year (and accrue an additional personal day every year to a cap of 20 personal days/year).

I live on the border of Queens and Nassau County.

Now I interviewed 2 weeks ago for an outpatient oncology pharmacist position at a major Manhattan medical center (they also have an location 5 minutes from my house which they will be expanding soon) and got an e-mail saying I was a top final candidate and that I need to submit a list of 5 references to whom a survey will be sent by e-mail, and that it needs to be answered within 2 days. That position pays $54/hr, day shift, monday-friday, union, same benefits as above.

I honestly didn't think I'd be seriously considered for the oncology position as I have ZERO oncology experience as a pharmacist. Had an oncology rotation where all I did was prepare anti-emetics, but when it comes to oncology therapeutics I don't know ****.
 
msweph said:
You don't like to work day shift, right? Take the nights and be happy 🙂
Click to expand...

Yes, but the gf said "how are we ever going to have time together if you're going to be at work at night and I'm at work during the day? plus, isn't it time to give up the late nights out?" Kinda made me think about it. I was going to tell her why don't you work nights as well but I realized there aren't many top hair salons out there that are open at night. If I take the Manhattan job, we'd be heading to work at the same time and leaving work at the same time and working within a mile of each other.
 
Sparda, you are unbelievable. I've languished away at the same position for two years, hoping to take the board certification while growing ever more cynical and jaded with what I do with each passing day. Meanwhile you have somehow landed what seems like 10 different hospital positions, including specialty areas like pediatrics and oncology. What's your secret? Should I just shoot those resumes out to everyone? I think I could use a bit of excitement and change.
 
gwarm01 said:
Sparda, you are unbelievable. I've languished away at the same position for two years, hoping to take the board certification while growing ever more cynical and jaded with what I do with each passing day. Meanwhile you have somehow landed what seems like 10 different hospital positions, including specialty areas like pediatrics and oncology. What's your secret? Should I just shoot those resumes out to everyone? I think I could use a bit of excitement and change.
Click to expand...

I mean, yeah I shoot my resume out everywhere even if I have a job.

And I've been wearing the same suit strictly for interviews for the last 3 years. Maybe it's a lucky suit (navy blue).
 
That is impressive. Nice work, dude. While I would hate doing oncology, it sounds like a decent field. You can learn on the job and it could lead to much better things down the road.
 
If it were me, I would take the oncology position.

You seem like you would be happier with the overnight position, though.

I got thrown into outpatient oncology as a new grad. It was kind of scary at first, but it's really not that bad. Just one of those areas of pharmacy where you need to be extra careful. It does kind of seem like it could get boring if I had to do it 100% of the time, but I don't really know what all job duties your new job would entail.
 
It sounds like you are going through some changes in your life Sparda! I would take the oncology job. I feel like someone with your resume can find an overnight job fairly easily.
 
This has got to be the biggest braggaboo post ive ever seen! Do you really need to ask this question? One job is clearly 100000x better than the other. Go brag to your friends not a board where people have enough problems finding ONE job, jackass
 
Yeb! Oncology job, pretty sweet gig once you know what are you doing (which would take 6 months tops).. Remember you are not gonna be oncology specialist, your job and what they r paying u for is to make sure the right product leaves the pharmacy
 
Something funny I noticed though is that, when I have a 1 on 1 interview, I'm offered the job 75% of the time. When I have to go through a panel interview or multiple interviewers, I have never been offered a job. I have no idea what's up with that. If there's one interviewer who's doing most of the talking, is the other person evaluating your non-verbal cues/trying to see if you are BSing?
 
more proof that pharmacy is not saturated - this dude gets new job every 6 months - or at least says he does. In one of the more saturated markets -

although I have no idea how - I have to say just looking at your resume, I wouldn't give you an interview - we turn down job hoppers all the time,
 
Sparda29 said:
Something funny I noticed though is that, when I have a 1 on 1 interview, I'm offered the job 75% of the time. When I have to go through a panel interview or multiple interviewers, I have never been offered a job. I have no idea what's up with that. If there's one interviewer who's doing most of the talking, is the other person evaluating your non-verbal cues/trying to see if you are BSing?
Click to expand...
we do group interviews - maybe you give off a little to much confidence (just guessing by your posts) and people think you are cocky? I know in a group interview, it really only takes rubbing one person the wrong way to get you thrown out
 
Dred Pirate said:
more proof that pharmacy is not saturated - this dude gets new job every 6 months - or at least says he does. In one of the more saturated markets -

although I have no idea how - I have to say just looking at your resume, I wouldn't give you an interview - we turn down job hoppers all the time,
Click to expand...

I don't know, based on my resume, you wouldn't think I'm a job hopper. I've only worked in 3 hospitals and 2 of them were in the same health system.

Health System B: June 2013 - Present
Health System A: September 2012 - June 2014

I've worked with 3 different independent pharmacy owners. 2 of them I still work for. My explanation during interview time for this is that I was hired as SP to start up the store/build business and that I was paid bonuses at the beginning, so financially based on my student loan situation I had to do it.
 
Sparda29 said:
I don't know, based on my resume, you wouldn't think I'm a job hopper. I've only worked in 3 hospitals and 2 of them were in the same health system.

Health System B: June 2013 - Present
Health System A: September 2012 - June 2014

I've worked with 3 different independent pharmacy owners. 2 of them I still work for. My explanation during interview time for this is that I was hired as SP to start up the store/build business and that I was paid bonuses at the beginning, so financially based on my student loan situation I had to do it.
Click to expand...
so five jobs since 2013? (or are the independent jobs a prn/side job?

I guess to me it only matters how many full time jobs you have had - I have always had a side job - I sometimes leave them on my resume, other times not
 
Dred Pirate said:
so five jobs since 2013? (or are the independent jobs a prn/side job?
I guess to me it only matters how many full time jobs you have had - I have always had a side job - I sometimes leave them on my resume, other times not
Click to expand...

Sparda's had different positions within the same corporation....in one sense they are different jobs, because he had to apply for them & they were at different locals, but on the other hand, on a resume he can just list the one parent corporation as his employer.

With Sparda, I think he must be a first class BS'er....er I mean interviewer. I forsee a future in potlics for him. With a group interview, the chances are higher that there will be at least one person who won't be impressed (even if everyone else in the group is.)

Sparda, with anyone else, I would tell them to think long and hard, and make out a list of pros and cons, but with you, I would just flip a coin. If you don't like the job, you'll be able to get another one next week. Is the overnight job hospital or retail? Obviously, a M-F gig is ideal for most people, and with it being oncology, that will really be a career booster, plus it sounds like the drive time will be much less. For 99% of people, I would think the oncology position is the way to go.

On the other hand, you really like the night life, and well, girlfriends come & girlfriends go. Is this girlfriend someone you would want to marry & have kids with? If not, then I wouldn't be making major career decisions based on what she wants. Plus, your posts seem to indicate you work better as a lone ranger, not as a team player (maybe that shows up in your team interviews?) Much of your past dissatisfaction with jobs, seems to be from co-workers & their expectations, which would indicate to me that you will probably be much more happy at a 3rd shift job, then at a M-F job. If I were picking for you, I'd pick the 3rd shift job. Good luck with whatever you decide!
 
Dred Pirate said:
so five jobs since 2013? (or are the independent jobs a prn/side job?

I guess to me it only matters how many full time jobs you have had - I have always had a side job - I sometimes leave them on my resume, other times not
Click to expand...

I was full time for both hospitals in the system I started with. I've been full-time and per-diem at each independent (went full-time, got the store to the goal owner wanted, got paid the bonus, went down to per-diem and found another new independent and asked the owner for the same deal, repeat).

BidingMyTime said:
Sparda's had different positions within the same corporation....in one sense they are different jobs, because he had to apply for them & they were at different locals, but on the other hand, on a resume he can just list the one parent corporation as his employer.

With Sparda, I think he must be a first class BS'er....er I mean interviewer. I forsee a future in potlics for him. With a group interview, the chances are higher that there will be at least one person who won't be impressed (even if everyone else in the group is.)

Sparda, with anyone else, I would tell them to think long and hard, and make out a list of pros and cons, but with you, I would just flip a coin. If you don't like the job, you'll be able to get another one next week. Is the overnight job hospital or retail? Obviously, a M-F gig is ideal for most people, and with it being oncology, that will really be a career booster, plus it sounds like the drive time will be much less. For 99% of people, I would think the oncology position is the way to go.

On the other hand, you really like the night life, and well, girlfriends come & girlfriends go. Is this girlfriend someone you would want to marry & have kids with? If not, then I wouldn't be making major career decisions based on what she wants. Plus, your posts seem to indicate you work better as a lone ranger, not as a team player (maybe that shows up in your team interviews?) Much of your past dissatisfaction with jobs, seems to be from co-workers & their expectations, which would indicate to me that you will probably be much more happy at a 3rd shift job, then at a M-F job. If I were picking for you, I'd pick the 3rd shift job. Good luck with whatever you decide!
Click to expand...

The overnight job is a community hospital, pretty suburban area (300 beds or so), not really well known, the neighborhood this hospital is in has a major heroin epidemic. The oncology job, let's just say the main hospital is ranked as the #2 hospital in New York City and the NYC region.

And yeah, this girlfriend I can definitely see being the future Mrs. Sparda.
 
Yeah go with the oncology position. If your girlfriend is a keeper then that is a major factor.

There is much more to life than just work. As months become years, you will realize work is just a way for you to put food on the table. Do what they ask of you and enjoy your time when you are off.
 
Take the onc, or give it to me (provided that I had a NY license).
Ugh I don't know how you get all these offers...I keep applying for jobs only to be rejected, and pharmacy jobs don't even pay for flights so I'm on my own for plane tickets to East Coast interviews.
 
Yeah, if the girlfriend is very serious, I would recommend giving consideration to the oncology job.

Then again, if you took the 3rd shift job, what do you think are the prospects you could move into a first/second shift position within a few years? I can see you really finding your calling at a small hospital, where you are more likely to be able to do things your own way, and have less co-workers to clash with. You might even be able to move up to pharmacy director, the fact that you get so many good job offers, shows you could do the talking necessary to be an effective pharmacy director.

Maybe you should just pray, then flip a coin. In my own life, some of the best decisions I've made have been from trusting God, and then going on my gut instinct without analyzing the situation.
 
BidingMyTime said:
Yeah, if the girlfriend is very serious, I would recommend giving consideration to the oncology job.

Then again, if you took the 3rd shift job, what do you think are the prospects you could move into a first/second shift position within a few years? I can see you really finding your calling at a small hospital, where you are more likely to be able to do things your own way, and have less co-workers to clash with. You might even be able to move up to pharmacy director, the fact that you get so many good job offers, shows you could do the talking necessary to be an effective pharmacy director.

Maybe you should just pray, then flip a coin. In my own life, some of the best decisions I've made have been from trusting God, and then going on my gut instinct without analyzing the situation.
Click to expand...

The person who recommended me for the 3rd shift job told me that a second shift job will be opening up soon so perhaps I could move into that. Only thing is then it would be 8 hour days, 5 days a week. If I have to drive 80 miles round trip, I'd rather it be 3 days a week instead of 5 days. I'm not sure if I'd want to be pharmacy director, after seeing how much **** they deal with. All those personalities in the pharmacy to deal with, budgets, hospital administrators breathing down your neck (half of whom are not even clinically experienced but just some bum with a MBA, the VP of quality control at my old hospital used to work in hotels his whole life, WTF?)

Lately I haven't been feeling the nightlife. I don't know if it's my 28 year old body telling me to back off, or I just find it boring. Now I'd much prefer going hiking through the mountains in Upstate NY in the middle of the night with my friends rather than going clubbing. Maybe because I'm seeing someone who I can see marrying, I'm pretty content just spending the night in with her watching Netflix and eating pizza.
 
Watching Netflix and eating pizza always leads to getting some!

Why go to the supermarket for bread when you already got some baking in the oven?
 
BMBiology said:
Watching Netflix and eating pizza always leads to getting some!

Why go to the supermarket for bread when you already got some baking in the oven?
Click to expand...

bb453wb-w800h800z1-39515-lets-just-eat-pizza-watch-netflix-and-make-out.jpg
 
gwarm01 said:
Sparda, you are unbelievable. I've languished away at the same position for two years, hoping to take the board certification while growing ever more cynical and jaded with what I do with each passing day. Meanwhile you have somehow landed what seems like 10 different hospital positions, including specialty areas like pediatrics and oncology. What's your secret? Should I just shoot those resumes out to everyone? I think I could use a bit of excitement and change.
Click to expand...
He's fearless and thus a survivor. Or j vs p. However. I'm actually petrified of going back to retail staff.

 
Last edited:
Sparda29 said:
I'm seeing someone who I can see marrying, I'm pretty content just spending the night in with her watching Netflix and eating pizza.
Click to expand...
You're scaring me. There are already enough Lester Burnhams.



Several months ago, I had hooked up with this hood dude who had felt like he was in a cage after being held hostage by this ***** who was using his kids against him. Just sayin'... the way he explained that same song and dance was priceless.




Oh well. Sparda, I have my doubts about being able to save you from that hell, but at least it's not too late to try.
 
Last edited:
I wonder how one should tailor their resume to be more attractive for an outpatient oncology position. I've had some inpatient oncology experience, but really barely any. However, if Sparda can do it then why not me?
 
gwarm01 said:
I wonder how one should tailor their resume to be more attractive for an outpatient oncology position. I've had some inpatient oncology experience, but really barely any. However, if Sparda can do it then why not me?
Click to expand...

The director did tell me that a few of their pharmacists came on board with barely any oncology experience now are pretty damn good at it. Told me that I'd be expected to self-study and read up about the different therapies and whatnot when I'm not at work. Other than that, compounding the chemo isn't that hard.

PharmDstudent said:
You're scaring me. There are already enough Lester Burnhams.



Several months ago, I had hooked up with this hood dude who had felt like he was in a cage after being held hostage by this ***** who was using his kids against him. Just sayin'... the way he explained that same song and dance was priceless.




Oh well. Sparda, I have my doubts about being able to save you from that hell, but at least it's not too late to try.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I'm pretty happy with this chick. More than any other chick I've ever been with.
 
(Just be careful how you start causing trouble once the apathy sets in.)
 
Wait! If you hated the Peds job for rules and regulations...you will hate oncology. You are dealing with all high risk medications and will have to follow to rules.
 
KARM12 said:
Wait! If you hated the Peds job for rules and regulations...you will hate oncology. You are dealing with all high risk medications and will have to follow to rules.
Click to expand...

It was more of hating the bureaucracy of having to report to 5 different lead pharmacists, and 3 ops managers, 2 assistant directors, and never seeing the actual director who was a really nice guy.

Here I'd report directly to the director. No middle management bull****.
 
How does one make a living on $54/hour in Manhattan? Do you draw welfare? Your kids will likely be on WIC.

You guys should move down here to the sticks. Live like a king and get paid more than working in Manhattan. Cheap housing, cheap land, cheap food, cheap gas.
 
PharmacistReb said:
How does one make a living on $54/hour in Manhattan? Do you draw welfare? Your kids will likely be on WIC.

You guys should move down here to the sticks. Live like a king and get paid more than working in Manhattan. Cheap housing, cheap land, cheap food, cheap gas.
Click to expand...

I don't live in Manhattan, you'd be ******ed to live there unless you were a millionaire. If you were smart, you could have bought property in Harlem in the 1970s-1980s for dirt cheap. (I know a dude who bought a couple of brownstones for $20k each and now they are each worth over $2 million.) If I were to move back into the 5 boroughs, I'd probably live somewhere in Astoria/Western Queens or the Bronx. The max I'd pay for rent is probably around $2k/month.
 
Yeah, Sparda, just remember that you have to wash your hands each time after you use your pen. People getting oncology are going to be immunocompromized so you really have to follow all the clean room rules without exception.
 
Well the choice just easier as the overnight job withdrew the offer. Apparently they are really strict about immunization records being sent in on time and my doctor's office and other employer never faxed them over. That and apparently faxed/e-mailed copies of my social security card, license, registration, and diploma are not good enough, HR wanted me to bring those in person. I assumed I could just bring them in orientation day instead of wasting a day driving out to Patchogue. I called the DOP and explained what HR said, he got pissed off and said he'd call me back after talking to them. He called back saying that HR pretty much overruled him and said they can't make exceptions and that the process was just taking too long with me (too much phone tag, faxes getting lost).

They actually offered it back in the last week of April and I told them I couldn't start till June since I wanted to give proper notice and take a vacation before starting.

So it looks like I'm either staying in independent retail or going into outpatient oncology.

I had no idea though that HR can overrule departmental hiring decisions.
 
If I was the hiring manager my thought would be:

I haven't even hired this guy yet and he is already a pain in my ass...probably a red flag.

No offense Sparda, I enjoy reading your posts.
 
ChalupaBatman86 said:
If I was the hiring manager my thought would be:

I haven't even hired this guy yet and he is already a pain in my ass...probably a red flag.

No offense Sparda, I enjoy reading your posts.
Click to expand...

He seemed really annoyed with HR because apparently this happens to pharmacists he wants to hire like 2-3 times a year. I was referred by a friend who is an employee there. And then he gets stuck and has to go through the candidates that HR wants him to take a look at.

When the hospital is way out in the sticks, employee health is only open 4 hours a day, and HR is only open 9-7 and refuses to take photo copies or faxed copies or electronic copies of credentials, **** like this is gonna happen because most people are not going to take a day off from their current jobs to drive 60 miles to fill out paperwork.

Plus since my license, registration, and diploma are on display at my current job, it's a pain in the ass to take them down and bring them somewhere without someone noticing that they are missing.

Hell, I don't even have a physical copy of my social security card. Lost that **** somewhere, I just have my # memorized.
 
Sparda29 said:
He seemed really annoyed with HR because apparently this happens to pharmacists he wants to hire like 2-3 times a year. I was referred by a friend who is an employee there. And then he gets stuck and has to go through the candidates that HR wants him to take a look at.

When the hospital is way out in the sticks, employee health is only open 4 hours a day, and HR is only open 9-7 and refuses to take photo copies or faxed copies or electronic copies of credentials, **** like this is gonna happen because most people are not going to take a day off from their current jobs to drive 60 miles to fill out paperwork.

Plus since my license, registration, and diploma are on display at my current job, it's a pain in the ass to take them down and bring them somewhere without someone noticing that they are missing.

Hell, I don't even have a physical copy of my social security card. Lost that **** somewhere, I just have my # memorized.
Click to expand...

Still gotta do some things if they are a pain. Hell, I flew from California to PA for 2 job interviews without getting reimbursed, and didn't get the jobs. Luckily I had miles. Sometimes you just have to jump through hoops to get the job.

Are you sure the onc job is still even on the table? I would think that they'd want an answer a couple days after you were offered it, with a start date that's pretty soon.
 
bacillus1 said:
Still gotta do some things if they are a pain. Hell, I flew from California to PA for 2 job interviews without getting reimbursed, and didn't get the jobs. Luckily I had miles. Sometimes you just have to jump through hoops to get the job.

Are you sure the onc job is still even on the table? I would think that they'd want an answer a couple days after you were offered it, with a start date that's pretty soon.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the director is getting back from vacation this week so a decision should be made soon. If I get offered it, I'm taking it in a heartbeat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

mentos
  • Poll Poll
Should I take a loss with crypto?
Replies
27
Views
2K
nampa
N
D
Which job opportunity would you take if offered ?
Replies
8
Views
1K
sunnyandseventytwo
sunnyandseventytwo
V
pivot from pharmacy. which degree?
Replies
4
Views
2K
clarkbar
C
S
what should i do in my bcps ?
Replies
1
Views
1K
BC_89
BC_89
F
What should I do?
Replies
4
Views
949
mentos
mentos
Top