I’m a thirty something blonde pharmacist working in retail pharmacy, LTC, home infusion in hospital pharmacy. I have worked many jobs in the past many years (gasp!) since being out of pharmacy school. I have been trying to find my place in the pharmacy world, and I’ve tried a little bit of many aspects of this particular field. Until now, I really thought I didn’t belong in pharmacy. I mostly handle drug interventions, order entry, order review, questions from nurses and patients.
Some things to remember about pharmacists:
1. Most have a PharmD degree if they graduated after 1998 or so. Most colleges don’t offer Bachelor of Pharmacy degrees anymore. With that in mind all pharnacists without PharmDs were grandfathered into the system and use DPh (Doctor of Pharmacy) or RPh (Registered Pharmacist) behind their names. A true PharmD will use PharmD. A PharmD means post graduate work sometimes, but sometimes a pharmacist only completed the 2 year requirement prerequisite to enter the four year pharmacy school program. The minimum today is 6 years. Most, due to the competition, have a 4 year degree and then the 4 year pharmacy degree. Some go on to complete Residencies in specific fields. If I wanted to do a residency, I would have gone to medical school. I have a hard enough time being a pharmacist without having to try to be a little doctor running around with a whistle in my mouth constantly scrutinizing doctors’ work on the floor. Some people get off on that; I don’t.
2. Pharmacists are whiners for the most part. They whine about this and that. They whine about their jobs. How many other jobs can you sit on your ass and look at the computer screen all day making sure things are right and make six figures? Not many. Stop whining!!! Gosh, it gets on my nerves.
3. Pharmacists have to deal with stupid people. Nurses. Doctors. Patients. Not all are stupid, but it seems like some are. Somehow they gravitate to me.
4. Pharmacists probably whine because of #3.
5. Pharmacists usually have a manager who had no management training or experience. Because of this, the management of pharmacists is usually led by someone without a clue in management and somehow piss most everyone off because of their lack of training. A pharmacist will work for awhile and get promoted to manager. Then they ass out for the most part.
6. Pharmacists usually because of #5 don’t act very professional in regards to talking about their management. Anything goes. He’s an asshole. He’s stupid. On and on… You will hear it every day no matter where you work unless somehow you get lucky and have a manager with management training. *rare* I had a manager once who was a pharmacist with an MBA. Unfortunately he is the rare exception in that the MBA taught him nothing.
Blonde,
I like your attitude. After years of whining, I have been cured by reading pharmacy blogs. All of us pharmacists should accept the fact that outrageous behavior on the part of the general public and healthcare colleagues is NORMAL, and it gets more outrageous with the passage of time. Take what you expect, and trash it. Most likely, the opposite will occur, and that is what is normal. Accepting that fact will make pharmacy a true paradise. Ditto on the six figures!
Hi,
I didn’t know you’re a hospital pharmacist, until I read this page. Most of the pharmacy blog owners are community pharmacists, and so far, you’re the only one who works at a hospital.
Ah, even hospital pharmacists have a 6-figure salary? I guess it’s partly due to the PharmD?
Oh, wow! The first paragraph of your intro could have been written by me, except that I’m a 40-something blonde hospital pharmacist. I think I have given up on finding my pharmacy niche. I tried for years to make “pharmaceutical care” my passion and my mission, and I’ve finally figured out why it’s not working: because we have tons of responsibility and very little actual authority. I do care about the patients and want to take care of them to the best of my ability (at least, as much as I am allowed), but at the end of the day, I am hanging up that white coat, taking my $$$, and going to Disney World!
I’ve been out of school for about six years now and I’m pretty convinced that I shouldn’t be a pharmacist either. However as you mentioned above, the recompense is good and with the student loans I’m carrying I don’t think I really have another option anyway.
You’re pretty funny blonde pharmacist. I’m amazed at how many hits you have on your site (12K)…pretty impressive. We’re looking for Area Pharmacy Supervisors for our health professions staffing agency but before you barf, check out the site and if you’re interested…give me a call at 916-201-2025.
ciao,
EC
I’ve really enjoyed your blog….however, after seeing so many retail Rph blogs, yours was the first one from a hospital pharmacist. I moved from my hometown to work in mail-order cuz I’m a wimp. HAHA. (however, I’m mulling over moving back to hometown to be closer to family, but then crappy jobs galore in Houston). Feel free to email me
It saddens me to read your site. So many discontented pharmacists. I graduated in 1991 and am still joyfully and passionately serving the public in a retail pharmacy setting. There is more to life than $$. Find something you enjoy doing and pursue it – in our country you can pay your bills in thousands of ways – stop doing something that brings you no fulfillment and chase another dream!
Pharmacist ~ 20 yrs. Have just learned that I don’t have the aptitude for it… but am enjoying ascertaining what aspects of the profession I can bring to my next job that will make me ‘happy and fulfilled’.
Did residency, worked hospital many years. In some situations had puke management (watch out for old married spinster-types who’ve never had a real personal challenge or reward in their lives like caring for children or loved ones), or in other situations wonderful managers with great communication skills.
Have gone agency route to try out different scenarios in retail, community, chains, clinics, different hospitals. Wherever I go, there are patients and co-workers that appreciate someone with a cool head (doesn’t get too easily upset about little things e.g. shut out of computer for a few hours, no restroom in the pharmacy, too hot/cold –that persistent draft of cold air that hits the shoulder causing a cramp by day’s end, and patients with this or that prejudice on arriving to the counter–there is usually an underlying pathophysiological problem!). A good solid core of knowledge and sense of humor is necessary, and precautions like wearing support hosiery and comfortable shoes help immensely!
One of the best things has been introduction to CPD such as what is available in Canada, UK, to be able to assess what I do want to do the next 25 yrs in pharmacy.. CPD-continuous professional development or something like that, focuses on development of the professional career. Face it, every experience we have brings something to the next challenge, and we’re always modifying how to handle things (unless we live under nazi managers who usurp our own authority). I think CPD is the next wave in pharmacy career fulfillment here in the ‘States.
I’m a pharmacist but I don’t blog about it. I have enough of it at work. I don’t want to rehash it in a blog. I’ve worked retail, hospital, LTC, home infusion, owned my own store and work for the state government. All the complaining and “whining” I’ve done and heard over the years hasn’t done a bit of good. Funny thing is, the new grads are still coming out with the pie-in-th-sky idea that they’re an important part of the “health care TEAM” and will make a difference as they take their $$$ behind the counter at Walgreens. I get offers (as I’m sure you do) every day-yesterday Walgreen’s offered $25,000 sign on bonus. They’d have to offer $1 million before I’d even think about it.
Wow. Is it really that bad? What if I you have low expectations?
I’m only a freshman in undergrad and I’ve been carefully considering medicine or pharmacy…
I look up blogs of people working in the health care professions and I continually find nothing more than complaints and rants… very little positive reflections. Perhaps its only the disenchanted who blog… Anyway, I know that whether you work in medicine or in pharmacy you have to put up with a lot of bureaucratic crap and deal with annoying co-workers, but is there nothing to enjoy in what you guys do? If I went into clinical pharmacy, I would expect limited patient exposure and influence, but does that truly diminish the meaning of your job? I just think it’s a matter of expectations…
I agree 100% w/ what you said and I’m only in high school.
You hit the pharmacy profession right on the head. I am a mother of 3 and am going through the same thoughts, frustrations and disappointments as some of the others who have commented. I have asked my current employer (mail order) to allow me to work from home – even asking for less pay….but no luck. And in such a rural area I have little choices. Where did you find your job and are there any more openings. Why should any mother have to always choose between working long hours to make ends meet and their family when home-based pharmacists could benefit employer and employee!
Please help me if you have any suggestions!
Hi Blonde RPh
Great blog. I am a brown hair/eyes pharmacist from NJ. Are you attending the meeting in Galveston, TX (TPA)?
If not, what do you think?
I cannot attend but I will be sending in $ for membership.
Keep up the great work blondie RPh.
Take er easy.
Rob
Love your site.
Very much enjoyed your website. As one of those rare pharmacists who have done very little dispensing over the years, I enjoy your comments and those of your contributors. I do see tougher times for pharmacists as the schools pour out more graduates to work as fodder for the chain stores. There will be much competition for jobs as new labor saving technologies, technician licensing, and cost cutting measures reduce the need for RPH’s.The anticipated “new” roles for the pharmacist are not likely to materialize, as the role of the pharmacist is more easily delegated and outsourced than most “hands on ” medical fields. Also Pharmacists have little control of their profession and are by and large are not politically savvy- most are willing to accept the policies set by the schools of pharmacy and drug companies, instead of questioning whether they are really in the best interest of practicing pharmacists or not.
Sincerely, Ed
I really have enjoyed your website, and gave you the thumbs up on “Stumble Upon” so more people can take advantage of your point blank information without a sugar coating.
I think the majority of the working population feels that way about their jobs at times. For instance….I LOATHE what I do right now, so right now I’m going to school for another job I loathe less. Your not alone, I work with whiners and complete idiots every day too. I think it just comes with the territory, especially when you work directly with the public.
Take Care! Oh, and thanks again for all the helpful info on anti dep withdraws.
I’m a 27yo Pharm D who has been working in the hospital setting for only 2 years (since i graduated). I love the essence of the profession, but today I had a meltdown due to my deep frustration! Today i’m whining, bitching and crying outloud that I dont know if i want to be a pharmacist anymore and I hate it, BUT I’M STILL LOST IN THE PHARMACY WORLD!!! Cant stand my retarded boss (who doesnt understand anything about pharmacy), the policies, the bureaucratic crap, the dumb nurses and physicians, the saving money over quality crap! I had so many expectations. I thought i could actually help people by being a pharmacist, crap…. it was just a dream! The system doesnt let you… I will continue looking for options; I have to… after a 100k student loan! Hopefully, tomorrow I will get back my “happy pharmacist face” and stop whining… I hate whining!!
I’m a 51 yr old blonde female pharmacist who like many of you has tried my hand in many areas – hospital staff, psychiatric pharmacy, independent retail (are ALL small owners so greedy and mean??), and finally caved in to the chain scene. For those younger pharmacists regretting your lot, (I guess especially in these economic times), I hope you hang in there. I’ve done my share of useless complaining and am trying to take the good I can (people really do appreciate some human contact across the consultation counter) and hope to learn from reading from you guys. If anyone has found an MBA program they have taken and liked, be interested in hearing. Thanks and good luck to all of us.
I’m not a pharmacist. I previously worked as a pharmacy technician, and now — please don’t kill me — I’m a nursing student. I have two bachelors degrees and enough schooling to be a pharmacist (ha), and thought I wanted to be, but the nearest pharmacy school is 4 hours away and I’m a mother and…pharmacy school was not going to work. I hope I can find my place. I’m sorry to hear that pharmacists don’t feel they can make a difference. There certainly are frustrations and challenges…you just want to vomit when the cute little old lady can’t afford her meds under medicare part D. But, I think retail pharmacists do make a big difference for people. And, here’s something to think about — I lquit working at Walgreens as a technician because my store manager decided he’d rather use me as a cashier and hire a prettier face with less experience to work in the pharmacy. At least that pharmD after your name spares you THAT kind of treatment.
i really want to work from home—pls help me with info on: company name, location, job posting
HI Blonde
I suddenly stopped taking my cipralex and after a while It felt like my eyes were conking in and felt like im going squint when i wake up. It is so bad that you fel like committing suicide. Is this a brain Zap
Whine? yes. But its not due to sitting down all day long. I dont even know what that feels like. I work in retail and I do it all: fill, input, check, visual, bag and be on a cash register and put up otc freight due to lack of help. Kicker: one person who works with me is the one who SITS down all day long making the same $$ I do while Im the one working. Ive complained to my DM ( who is not a pharmacist) now for over 2 years…falls on deaf ears. So do I whine? Yes. Simply because its not right when I work and others can sit around all day and not get a fraction of the stress I carry all day long.
Im too young to have chest pain due to my frustrations. No one listens. No one wants to do anything. All they care for is that a body is there. Doesnt mater the quality of the body…just a body. I work hard…I deserve better. Its to the point where Im so sick of the politics and crap with upper management. Not to mention god forbid if I need overtime to try and keep my sanity…for it interferes with their potential bonus and their numbers has to look good. Then if a mistake happens…they ask why? And of course dont want to take responsibility for putting you into that position to begin with.
I wished someone, someday would help regulate pharmacy in that to give us the help we truly need. I think one state has a check limit (as in after they checked so many rx’s then thats it). Kinda the same way in which a resident dr cant work so many hours straight. Im lucky if I get 30 minutes for lunch. Sometimes I only get 10 minutes to engulf something down.
I love my profession. But the politics and crap that we have to put up with for the sake of greed and CEO’s..something has to give. If a doctor can take his time with his patient. We should be either be given the proper help we need to get thorugh the day and not be under a pressure cooker to get it done in under a minute like McDonalds.
Appologies for the rant…But im sure im only saying what many of us go thorugh on a daily basis.
I want to quit my current position. But part of me doesnt want to because of what I have worked for. I get 3 weeks paid vacation now and take home $3,330 per payday. Wouldnt want to leave if someone would do something about the lazy pharmacist I have to put up with
Yes, we’re all very frustrated. I’ve been doing this for 25 years. Believe me that if you’re meant to do this- you will find a way. We may rant and rave, but we could always change jobs.
All of PharmDs that whine and complain above….keep in mind, the future is in your hands.There is a huge demend for Pharmacist, you can change the way public and mgmt respect you but not by whining on this website. In real life, do some changes and don’t be afraid to stand up for your rights.
Be professional, call yourself by professional title and the others will follow (imagine those Doctor of Pharmacies at CVS who answer the phone by “jackie speaking”-very professional lol How will public call you if you don’t respect yourself. “Dr Jackie” would bring at least some authority and respect.
Restroom / lunch break – demend or leave… it will not be changed if you accept that treatment and whine! There are plenty of jobs available.
Be proactive, use what you’ve learned in your 6 yrs of school, don’t just call MD for every little stupid change (I heard Rite Aid PharmD who called MD to change meds to generic !! ) Even drug subs, make your judgment, and offer the solution to MD – they will respect you more then just “Medication is not covered.Can you change it to “SOMETHING ELSE” – wow, where did those 6 yrs of pharmacy school go by??
I have worked in retail, hospital,& academia for 17 years – and learned my lesson: IF YOU DON’T RESPECT YOURSELF, NOBODY ELSE WILL !!
Pharmacy is wonderful profession but YOU need to keep it that way, not the system. And everything else will fall in place.
just wanted to know if you would be open to selling advertising on your blog. Please reply to me if you are interested. I could not find an email on site which is why I am using this form to contact you. Please feel free to delete this comment
I can not understand why so many pharmacists can not see the writing on the wall that the shortage of pharmacists is almost over, and a glut is developing in many of our large cities. The money hungry pharmacy schools fueled by the money of the chain stores have made this a reality. Jobs will become tougher to find, and those currently employed will have to jump through hoops to please their employers. Pharmacists are disunited, and their “organizations” are financed by chain drug and pharmaceutical companies that have no interest in the finances and job environment of their line staff employees. Pharmacy is considered a”support service” in hospitals, and is much more readily delegated out to other disciplines than say, nursing. Enhanced use of better educated pharmacy technicians and soft wear will more readily allow this to happen. As the new schools start “cranking them out” jobs will rapidly disappear. The stick that the schools give the naive new students about the aging population and the need to provide more information will be meaningless. Additionally how many new graduates speak fluent English and have good communication skills. Will the quota driven chains give them time to communicate. Pharmacists, look at the future! Look at the low degree of political knowledge and political savvy that most pharmacists have! The schools with the financing of the chains will rob you blind of professional security and dignity!!
Hi Blonde Pharmacist. Can you do a post about paying student loans. I’m about to start pharmacy school this Fall and I’m terrified about paying back student loans. I’m already over 100,000 dollars in debt from attending a private school for undergrad, and now I’m about to take out a couple more thousands for 4 years of pharm school. What is the best and/or fastest way to pay these loans back?
Work in the industry! I did retail (graveyard shifts at walgreens and then independents) and hated it after 3.5 years. Its not worth it. You don’t get to use your education. Its all about speed, and not about what you went to school for. If you like that, then more power to you. Medical info departments in industry is interesting because you get to do clinical work on your companies drugs and its 9-5! Best job so far in my 5 years out of rx school! But as many have said, I’m still lost in pharmacy sometimes. There is no perfect job, but almost perfect works and that’s my life now.
Hi:
Been on 75 mg of Effexor for over three years. A few times I’ve forgotten to take it, and sure enough, I know because I get brain shivers, brain farts, brain shocks, brain zaps, whatever you want to call it. As others have said, hard to describe, but if you have one, you’ll know it.
Just my 2 cents…
Arnie
i agree about posting a student loan post; I am about to graduate in ~9 months and would like your thoughts on how much overtime companies offer or which ones offer more etc.
To all the Pharmacists:If it were possible to rewind back time,what would you pursue as a career besides pharmacy?Dentistry?Optometry?Please,I need all your input.Thanks.
I have been a RPH for 30 years. Later in my career, I went back to school and got my MBA. After attending business school, if I had it all over to do again, I would have focus my academics toward economics/finance. I’ve try promote myself as a Pharmacists with MBA to the Pharmacy/Healthcare industry, but there seems to be no interest (suprisingly).
Thanks for the reply Bobby.Please I need more input from Pharmacists in regard to my question.God Bless.
I just read article on Brain Zaps !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG finally !! Ive been on Zoloft (im a critical care ICU RN)-but like an idiot haven’t had the time to refill-for a week- been feeling like crap severe HA’s with the zaps-just figured i put my back out !!!!
Now i understand more
Thanks
melle
I don’t know where you’ve been sitting all day but I work 14 hrs on my feet all day alone in the pharmacy without break…unpack crates of orders all day and am not even entitled to a break!!!!!
I completely agree with this! My experience with working in a pharmacy is 14hrs, on the feet work days!
Joey
SIT DOWN? LOOK AT A COMPUTER SCREEN? gee, where did you work? All pharmacist wanna be’s — dont do it. It absolutely is not worth it.
wqK2Il http://chfEd38MkKsw7cXv0x3Dlc3b7.com
I completely agree with your postings, EXCEPT the sit all day part. You should be thankful to have the opportunity to sit. It only adds to the frustration to work 10-12 hour days with no break standing. Another thought that nobody tells you in Pharm school is that there are NO SICK DAYS ever! A pharmacist just can not call off. If you call off your store doesnt open. So while that commercial says to stay home when your sick- they clearly did not research the pharmacy field.
Wow! I’ve been in pharmacy too many years, with most of my career in hospital (yes, the sitting part is much better than standing 10 hrs). I’ve been in independent boutique pharmacies for the past 3 years, and I love the part where I get to talk and laugh with the customers. Other than that, I am simply B-O-R-E-D!! Not to mention that I totally disagree with the total current paradigm of medical care as it currently stands….I think that so many of the patients I see everyday could be healthy if they just ate natural,whole foods (I am 80% raw veg right now, and feel great!) and exercised, yada yada. Unfortunately, our politicians and stock markets are heavily controlled by Big Pharma, so if everyone suddenly became healthy, our economy would probably crash!! So here I am trying to reconcile getting paid very well by an industry that is inevitably going to perpetuate illness for financial gain. Every single day I wonder how I can get out of this conundrum:-(
IS PRETTY SAID PHARMACIST STILL LOOKIN FOR EMPLOYMENT?
I’ve been a pharmacist since 1981. And I’ve come to the conclusion that all pharmacy jobs are basically the same and it’s up to you the pharmacist to either love your job or hate it. But it will be the same some place else. I’ve had about 15 jobs ( full time or part-time.) Now I’ve got kids and responsibilities and I’m stuck in a rut which I’m not going to voluntarily leave. Last year I made $205K and I can’t think of any other jobs I could easily land and get that sort of income. So I will bust my ass, rack up the hours and the income and gripe.
You know when I was younger I used to talk to an Eckerd pharmacist who was a real burn out. He hated his job and his profession. He eventually let his license expire and went to work in a bakery. He said he was poor growing up and that he would rather be poor than to ever practice pharmacy again.
I keep his situation in mind and try to think positively. I don’t think I would like working in a bakery.
I read all these blogs and it’s very difficult not to be depressed, I have been a pharmacist for 35 years and enjoyed the first 20 years. I have practived in hospital Mail service , retail and now medical information. I realized I has a “sell by” life on me when a grocery store pharmacy i worked at closed with little notice along with 2 other stores in the chain, looking at the paperwork the lightbulb went “click” when i saw 6 out of the 8 of us were over 50. I thought getting another job would be cake, since i have never worried about getting a job.Wow…i had been out of touch. Living in Pennsylvania with 6 Pharmacy schools and a 7th opening in september, didnt realize the HUGE glut of RP’s lookin for work.short story was took me 7 months to find a job and then even i had to take workin at one of the places i swore i never would WalMart. Sigh closest i have ever been to a breakdown..horrific conditions 14 hour days not enough help etc…i finally got out..
work as a medical team member for a Big Pharma company.its not perfect but its 5 days a week no weekends and i dont mind the pay loss, just don’t ever want to be forced back into retail even IF i was saleable at 58 yrs old!!!
Kudos to all the pharmacists that stick it out in the trenches and make a difference in peoples lives!!
I am considering a career in pharmacy but would want to work in a clinical setting. Would this be possible?
Today Oct 7 2011 I realized I dont want to be a pharmacist anymore. I graduated this past May with 160k in student loans. Being a pharmacist does not equal having a rewarding and fulfilling career. in reality …..It means working standing up in a 13 hour shift like a robot in a retail pharmacy…….etc. it means little patient interaction but hearing customer complaints. Dear PharmD in retail… They are customers not patients. hospital pharmacy means being confined to the pharmacy all day….and very little to no direct patient interaction. If I mention all the reasons why not to be a pharmacist..my list will be infinite. think about it pharmacy students and those seeking to become pharmacist.
Hannah, I feel the same way, im thinking of dropping out after my P2 year and joining the army. The future of pharmacy doesn’t look good.
Yea im thinking of changing and becoming a dietitian or an audiologist. The market is saturated at the moment with too many pharmacists and not enough jobs. Im in my final year of pharmacy doing my internship and i have been working in a retail pharmacy for 3 years now and i HATE it!! I really wish i had done another degree. It’s not worth it because you stand up 12 hours a day, get either no lunch break or a 5 min break to go to the toilet and eat lunch (which is insane), get to deal with crappy customers and people except to get there medicines within a minute of presenting the prescription. So many students in my class are going on to do medicine, nursing or optometry next year after there internship because they all feel the same and i don’t blame them especially in retail pharmacy. Fingers crossed i get accpeted in either audiology or dietics.
Oh the ever changing dynamics in a pharmacist’s life! Education…retail… independence… hospital… management… ownership… blah blah blah! Every blog in every profession is the same. Complain and complain! If you don’t like what you do then quit. Do something else. Education and experience in any past profession can go a long way to do something you think you will like. But then again, will you like it?? It’s your attitude that is the real problem. Whether you work for someone or are the boss or manager all your problems are because of your attitudes! I look at the blogs and want to quit my job as a pharmacy owner because of all the stuff I agree with here and can relate to on a daily basis but I don’t ever quit. Why? Let me explain. As the old saying goes “the grass is greener on the other side” … is that it? Where nowadays? I have been a pharmacist for 21 years and an owner for 16 years in a community practice. The bigwigs are a hard competitor to deal with and I imagine working for, but the heart of why you chose pharmacy as a profession (other than money) must be revived. The “80/20″ principal applies here … 80% is BS an 20% of what you do makes a difference to some people , believe it or not. If you find that 20% then it’s worth the stuggle. I think i’m at 19.99 % right now.