Working during Pharmacy School

[GatorPharm1989]

Anyone care to share what jobs they had during pharmacy school?
-Im not sure how easy its going to be to get a pharm intern job right now as im only a P1 who gets their intern license later in the year. Also, I cant work as a pharm tech because im unlicensed.
Thanks!

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[schamj01]

I will be a P2 this year; I currently work for Walgreens. Last fall I worked about 25 hours weekly and I worked about 20 a week during the spring semester. I've enjoyed all the experience I've been able to gain. I really feel like I know the fundamentals of retail pharmacy, plus I've gotten experience counseling patients (only when I know what I'm talking about of course 🙂). I've already taken countless phone rx's and done transfers...I'm really lucky to work with pharmacists that are on board with helping me to learn. I feel really comfortable going to them if I'm not sure about something, and I feel like I learn something knew with every shift.

If you are able to get a pharmacy job, I would highly encourage working while in school. It's definitely doable as long as you can manage your time. Plus, it will help you find out where you will fit once you graduate.

 

[joetrisman]

Working during school means whatever area you are in will be cake walk during rotations. Or at least that's been my experience 👍

 

[AlPacino]

I am currently work in a pharmacy as a Cpht but once I start pharmacy school, I am thinking of leaving the job for a couple of years until I graduate. Are there many who worked 24-30 hours week and still maintained to have great grades in pharmacy school?

 

[chuckle beast]

Not working during school is a big mistake.

 

[LightRx3]

Working during pharmacy school is absolutely an essential contribution to your pharmacy experience.

For my colleagues who are currently not working in any pharmacy setting, I feel like they are "behind" the ones that work in terms of knowledge, management, and social skills.

Just a thought.

 

[samisab786]

I'm going to be a P3 and could not find an intern position for two years and I feel absolutely behind everybody in my class.

 

[AlPacino]

Not working during school is a big mistake.

Working during pharmacy school is absolutely an essential contribution to your pharmacy experience.

For my colleagues who are currently not working in any pharmacy setting, I feel like they are "behind" the ones that work in terms of knowledge, management, and social skills.

Just a thought.

Ive been a tech for 6 years. I know the aspects of retail well enough. Its just that when I start pharmacy school, I do not want to let work get in the way of my studies. School is my first priority. Im just a bit worried about being able to balance full time school and part time(24 hours) at the pharmacy. I do not want my grades to drop at all! I would be working int he summer as an intern, I was just asking about working during a full semester. Thank you.

 

[Notecard]

School is my first priority.

You might want to consider reevaluating. School isn't going to be the thing getting you a job when you graduate. It seems kind of silly and naive to make it the #1 priority. Maybe #3 or #2 if it pains you that badly.

24 hours is a good amount though. I still work 30 hours in the pharmacy and occasionally pick up shifts at my other job in a restaurant for extra cash. My GPA didn't change at all to answer your question.

 

[jballer91]

So general consensus... working in a pharmacy is essential during school. I'll be a P1 this fall and just started working as a tech in retail this summer. I am planning on working during school but most likely will only be requesting 1 or 2 shifts a week (around 10 hours/week). Didn't want to overdue it as I'm just starting pharm school.

 

[AlPacino]

So general consensus... working in a pharmacy is essential during school. I'll be a P1 this fall and just started working as a tech in retail this summer. I am planning on working during school but most likely will only be requesting 1 or 2 shifts a week (around 10 hours/week). Didn't want to overdue it as I'm just starting pharm school.

I think that is what I will do as well. Just ask for 2 shift a week like 10-14 hours and see how it goes. If my grades stay up then I will consider picking up more hours. I wouldnt take what some people offer as advice as part of the "general consensus. Saying that it is silly to set your school education as your number one priority is ignorant imo. Sorry that just isnt how I think.

 

[SeekerofTruth]

Felix, I feel the same way. The biggest reason for not getting a job during school is that I live 2-3 hours away. IMO I can only go back home once a month without feeling stressed out over schoolwork. If I try and find a job over here, I won't be able to work during the summer and winter breaks. It's ridiculous. I'm trying to do other things this year during school such as chemistry recitation TA, organic chem research, and possibly being on a committee for conduct. I'm kind of trying to follow "the best do the most with the least" motto.

 

[schamj01]

I am currently work in a pharmacy as a Cpht but once I start pharmacy school, I am thinking of leaving the job for a couple of years until I graduate. Are there many who worked 24-30 hours week and still maintained to have great grades in pharmacy school?

I worked about 25 hours a week during P1 year. Came out with a 4.0.

It can be done, and I have a wife and a child to take care of too. It's all about time management. Pay attention during classes and take wicked notes. Don't spend time studying what you already understand. Ask questions as soon as you realize there is a concept you don't understand. Make friends with classmates who also appreciate the value of a good GPA. Don't party until after the exam.

 

[xiphoid2010]

I worked about 25 hours a week during P1 year. Came out with a 4.0.

It can be done, and I have a wife and a child to take care of too. It's all about time management. Pay attention during classes and take wicked notes. Don't spend time studying what you already understand. Ask questions as soon as you realize there is a concept you don't understand. Make friends with classmates who also appreciate the value of a good GPA. Don't party until after the exam.

This. Study everyday, don't let it pile up. Not having an internship during school is likely going to put you behind other candidates, when applying for residency or a job.

 

[woosiecg]

There are a few things to consider when deciding to work during school. First, have you been able to work and be a full time student in the past? If so, you will probably be able to work at least a small amount and do just fine. If you plan on getting involved in student organizations, volunteer activities, etc. you will find those can take up a bit of time depending on your role within the organization. Another thing to consider is how your school is set up. Do you have block scheduling or are you just in class a few hours a day? Do you have just exams or a lot of group projects?

I worked once to twice a month last year (2 hours away from my school in my hometown) and that was not a problem. I think it would have been a little harder to work during the week for me because our school has multiple large group projects due each term. Balancing schedules can be very difficult and most of the people in my groups did not want to work on projects late at night or early in the morning when the pharmacy is closed.

I do think that working in the pharmacy is invaluable to your eduction. My first real experience has been my summer internship and it is clarifying a lot of things we learned during the school year. I hope to continue to work for them next year and depending on where my store is located I am hoping to pull at least 10 hours a week.

My main point is that it is not cut and dry. Every person is different and will have to judge their abilities from past experience. It never hurts to schedule yourself what you hope to work and then talk with you manager about cutting hours if you start to find that you are working to much and your studies are suffering.

 

[rxlea]

I worked about 25 hours a week during P1 year. Came out with a 4.0.

It can be done, and I have a wife and a child to take care of too. It's all about time management. Pay attention during classes and take wicked notes. Don't spend time studying what you already understand. Ask questions as soon as you realize there is a concept you don't understand. Make friends with classmates who also appreciate the value of a good GPA. Don't party until after the exam.

It's easier when you have someone at home to help manage the household.

 

[AlPacino]

I worked about 25 hours a week during P1 year. Came out with a 4.0.

It can be done, and I have a wife and a child to take care of too. It's all about time management. Pay attention during classes and take wicked notes. Don't spend time studying what you already understand. Ask questions as soon as you realize there is a concept you don't understand. Make friends with classmates who also appreciate the value of a good GPA. Don't party until after the exam.

This. Study everyday, don't let it pile up. Not having an internship during school is likely going to put you behind other candidates, when applying for residency or a job.

There are a few things to consider when deciding to work during school. First, have you been able to work and be a full time student in the past? If so, you will probably be able to work at least a small amount and do just fine. If you plan on getting involved in student organizations, volunteer activities, etc. you will find those can take up a bit of time depending on your role within the organization. Another thing to consider is how your school is set up. Do you have block scheduling or are you just in class a few hours a day? Do you have just exams or a lot of group projects?

I worked once to twice a month last year (2 hours away from my school in my hometown) and that was not a problem. I think it would have been a little harder to work during the week for me because our school has multiple large group projects due each term. Balancing schedules can be very difficult and most of the people in my groups did not want to work on projects late at night or early in the morning when the pharmacy is closed.

I do think that working in the pharmacy is invaluable to your eduction. My first real experience has been my summer internship and it is clarifying a lot of things we learned during the school year. I hope to continue to work for them next year and depending on where my store is located I am hoping to pull at least 10 hours a week.

My main point is that it is not cut and dry. Every person is different and will have to judge their abilities from past experience. It never hurts to schedule yourself what you hope to work and then talk with you manager about cutting hours if you start to find that you are working to much and your studies are suffering.

Thank you that is great advice. I will keep my job and start out slow with just 10-14 hours a week. See how I adjust to pharmacy school and go from there. Thank you 👍

 

[UofK]

I'll be working every weekend plus a 5 hour shift on thursdays this upcoming fall as a py1 between a retail internship (started this summer) and a hospital tech job (3 years experience). I may add more to it but I would like to get involved on top of working, so we will see.

 

[smithek]

I won't get an intern license until after my P1 year, and I'm not a certified tech. I've worked as a tech in the past, but in a retail pharmacy. For my career, I really want to work in a hospital. I don't want to get stuck in retail- I'm considering just waiting it out until I can intern at one of the many hospitals around. Is that a bad idea?

 

[Eichhoernchen]

Last school year I worked 25 hours mostly weekdays and my grades dropped.. This fall, I am hoping for only 15 and a better GPA.. Work is necessary in my opinion not just for experience but for connections, networking, etc, but it can also get really overwhelming. It just depends on how much you can handle and how disciplined you are.

 

[Stoichiometry]

I feel like the right balance of work enhances your education. I can't imagine having to memorize all of these drug classes for a test but not actively use them. I am always applying what I learn in school at work and it makes everything stick so much better. JMO. It's just so nice to apply the knowledge I am gaining and bounce ideas and thoughts off of other pharmacists'.

 

[Rx MPLS]

I won't get an intern license until after my P1 year, and I'm not a certified tech. I've worked as a tech in the past, but in a retail pharmacy. For my career, I really want to work in a hospital. I don't want to get stuck in retail- I'm considering just waiting it out until I can intern at one of the many hospitals around. Is that a bad idea?

You can start as a tech in a hospital this year. You will find many of your classmates do this, then continue as interns once licensed. Consider getting a tech license to hold you over until P1 is over; that way you can quickly apply to jobs as they appear. MN tech licenses expire every December 31st though, so it will cost you a little bit to stay current until graduating to an intern license... 🙂

 

[AlPacino]

I feel like the right balance of work enhances your education. I can't imagine having to memorize all of these drug classes for a test but not actively use them. I am always applying what I learn in school at work and it makes everything stick so much better. JMO. It's just so nice to apply the knowledge I am gaining and bounce ideas and thoughts off of other pharmacists'.

This is true. Applying what you learn in pharmacy school and at work will really benefit you come test times. How many hours a week do you work?

 

[Phoenix2027]

I am weighing whether or not I should try to get a position working as a pharm tech during my P1 year. If a person's primary focus is to apply for a residency, specialize in say pediatrics, then work part time in either a VA position, hospital, etc., and teach at a COP, would it be better to devote time towards research instead of putting time in as a pharm tech?

Or if say you wanted to work full time for the fed govt, or in a hospital, and decide not to take the residency/teaching route, would you be better off with the tech experience as opposed to research?

Again, I apologize for all the questions, but I just want to make sure I am making the best use of my time during pharmacy school as I can! Thanks for your help!

 

[mtlam]

I am weighing whether or not I should try to get a position working as a pharm tech during my P1 year. If a person's primary focus is to apply for a residency, specialize in say pediatrics, then work part time in either a VA position, hospital, etc., and teach at a COP, would it be better to devote time towards research instead of putting time in as a pharm tech?

Or if say you wanted to work full time for the fed govt, or in a hospital, and decide not to take the residency/teaching route, would you be better off with the tech experience as opposed to research?

Again, I apologize for all the questions, but I just want to make sure I am making the best use of my time during pharmacy school as I can! Thanks for your help!

I would say do your best in finding a hospital position if you can as you plan on doing a residency. It makes getting hired to a hospital easier or residency whichever one you had in mind after college.

I'm a P2 starting this fall and I am scrambling trying to find a hospital position.

 

[Stoichiometry]

This is true. Applying what you learn in pharmacy school and at work will really benefit you come test times. How many hours a week do you work?

This fall about 12 hours. Last fall my p1 year I did 20-ish which was a lot for me--particularly because I like to do other things outside work and school. Spring I cut down to about 15 which was perfect for me.

 

[koercive]

I've had 4 internships during pharmacy school. started off with 1 at a hospital, 3 were in non-traditional settings (think office, desk, and computer). Let's just say that I enjoyed the latter internships much more than the hospital.

And if you can't find a job ( I wasn't able to until towards the beginning of summer after my first year), you can always shadow like I did. I shadowed a pharmacist working for a health system for a couple months. Be willing to learn, provide him value (free labor), and build rapport (started talking to the guy about stocks after I found out he was a PharmD/MBA, and we instantly hit it off) are my advice if you are looking for opportunities.

 

[atpsynthase]

You can start as a tech in a hospital this year. You will find many of your classmates do this, then continue as interns once licensed. Consider getting a tech license to hold you over until P1 is over; that way you can quickly apply to jobs as they appear. MN tech licenses expire every December 31st though, so it will cost you a little bit to stay current until graduating to an intern license... 🙂

I think he's saying that he has a technician license, but hasn't taken the PCTB exam to become a certified technician. At any rate, I think if you have access to a retail pharmacy, to work a little bit in it. I worked in retail long before my internship at a hospital and I felt like it did really prepare me well for the transition... even though there are many, many differences.