Working part-time for two different companies?

[pinkyrx]

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I'm still not exactly sure what I want to do after graduation...

I met a pharmacist on my last rotation that worked 2 days at a long-term care facility and 3 days at an independent pharmacy. What do you guys think about working part-time for two different companies? We have benefits through my husband's employer, so that isn't a concern. Are there any downsides to this that I'm not thinking of?

It seems like a good idea to me since I'm not sure which area I want to work in. I was thinking that I could work in two completely different areas for a year and then decide which one I like the most. Who knows, I may end up liking the schedule because it will give me more variety in my work week. For what it's worth, I'm thinking of 2 days in a community pharmacy and then 3 days in either hospital or long-term care/consulting.

Thoughts?

 

[Epic]

I'm still not exactly sure what I want to do after graduation...

I met a pharmacist on my last rotation that worked 2 days at a long-term care facility and 3 days at an independent pharmacy. What do you guys think about working part-time for two different companies? We have benefits through my husband's employer, so that isn't a concern. Are there any downsides to this that I'm not thinking of?

It seems like a good idea to me since I'm not sure which area I want to work in. I was thinking that I could work in two completely different areas for a year and then decide which one I like the most. Who knows, I may end up liking the schedule because it will give me more variety in my work week. For what it's worth, I'm thinking of 2 days in a community pharmacy and then 3 days in either hospital or long-term care/consulting.

Thoughts?

Not a bad idea... I know someone who does that... someone with nice legs.. I think she goes by ID SDN1977.

Actually, I had a staff pharmacist who did exactly that. 20 hours per week at the hospital and 20 at independent retail. At 20 hours per week, she was able to receive benefits through hospital.

 

[alwaystired]

I'm not sure, but would less vacation time be a potential drawback? Do most companies offer vacation to part time empolyees?

 

[sdn1977]

As with anything - there are trade offs. Yes, I do it. I get benefits at one job since I work > 20hrs/wk there which allows me benefits. The vacation time is prorated, but thats not an issue since your hours are less. Know that one employer will want to know they are your primary employer so you'll be available to them when they need you. If not, you'll end up making everyone mad at you.

It does give you greater flexibility - true. I don't sacrifice anything in responsibility or involvement since I was full time in one of the settings (acute inpt) for years & years. If I had never been full time, I wouldn't have had the opportunities I've had. The part-time staff who has always been part-time has been, in my areas, considered as just those who don't want to be completely involved or committed. So, they end up working to "fill in". I dunno - Epic might give his part-time staff some project or committee responsibilities, but it doesn't happen here unless you've got experience or have worked a long time in a full time position previously.

Thats the risk you take doing it at the beginning of your career rather than at the end of it. Additionally, since you're not sure how well you'll like location, 2 or 3 days won't give you much time to really decide if you like it or not. In retail, part of making that environment work for you is knowing your patients & getting them to trust you. A year of 2 days a week would be hard to accomplish that. It gives you some time to know if you want to put up with the b*ll, but for me, working part-time in retail was a long road to know the patients. That was my whole purpose - to get back to that side, so I know how hard that part is.

The beauty is - anything can be done. If it doesn't work for you, change it. Just don't burn any bridges in the process!

Good luck!

 

[Aznfarmerboi]

I'm still not exactly sure what I want to do after graduation...

I met a pharmacist on my last rotation that worked 2 days at a long-term care facility and 3 days at an independent pharmacy. What do you guys think about working part-time for two different companies? We have benefits through my husband's employer, so that isn't a concern. Are there any downsides to this that I'm not thinking of?

It seems like a good idea to me since I'm not sure which area I want to work in. I was thinking that I could work in two completely different areas for a year and then decide which one I like the most. Who knows, I may end up liking the schedule because it will give me more variety in my work week. For what it's worth, I'm thinking of 2 days in a community pharmacy and then 3 days in either hospital or long-term care/consulting.

Thoughts?

I think it is a good idea because you wont be as bored easily. I cant imagine doing retail for the rest of my life in the same store. . . Talk about being in a jail, without the sunlight.

 

[pharm765]

Not that money is the important issue here, but if you pick up extra shifts at either job, you wouldn't be getting OT pay even though you'd be working >40 hours/week....

If you want to experience both settings, another idea would be working per diem for one...I think many hospital per diem pharmacists earn a higher hourly rate vs. staff pharmacists, plus you'd have more control over the hours. No guarantee that convenient or desirable shifts would be available though. If you float for a retail chain you'd probably have your pick of shifts if you were willing to travel, but you'd never get to know your patients (or coworkers really)

 

[spacecowgirl]

Not that money is the important issue here, but if you pick up extra shifts at either job, you wouldn't be getting OT pay even though you'd be working >40 hours/week....

But, after higher taxes is OT pay more than regular pay? I was told by a pharmacist during rotations who also was working for LTC and retail that she made more money but not making time and a half. I have been curious about this too.

 

[pinkyrx]

Thanks for all the responses! I guess I'll figure all of this out closer to graduation.

SDN: The pharmacist that I mentioned was also doing this at the end of her career rather than the beginning. I see what you mean about it making it possibly more difficult to get involved.

Spacecowgirl: I never even thought about making more money by not getting OT... Definitely something to look into.