I've been a retail pharmacist for 3 years. While I enjoy the fast-paced work,
I find it increasingly difficult to cope with the stress that builds up from
the day. The demands placed upon me from this particular chain and customers
is just too much.
Any pharmacists have advice for me? Options include completing a residency,
hospital, compounding, nuclear, managed care, industry....is there anything
else? I have a PharmD, no residency, and just 3 years experience. Willing
to explore any job or take any path that may or may not be pharmacy-related.
Also willing to volunteer, take less pay, whatever it is...I just want to be
happy. Just can't work with the public directly anymore, retail setting does
not help. I have seen the worst in people. I need a break from all that.
Dr. Wayne Simon - 07 May 2007 22:10 GMT
> I've been a retail pharmacist for 3 years. While I enjoy the fast-paced
> work,
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> does
> not help. I have seen the worst in people. I need a break from all that.
Residency, Fellowship, Privately own business, Consulting,
Hospital, Outpatient Clinic, Home health Care, Mail Order,
Drug Industry. Cab Driver. Just a few options. Continuing
education, for a hybrid degree like MBA, Law, etc to combine
with Pharmacy. All seem like viable options.
mred - 09 May 2007 02:49 GMT
>> I've been a retail pharmacist for 3 years. While I enjoy the fast-paced
>> work,
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>> customers
>> is just too much.
Sounds like you need a vacation.
>> else? I have a PharmD, no residency, and just 3 years experience.
>> Willing
>> to explore any job or take any path that may or may not be
>> pharmacy-related.
>> Also willing to volunteer, take less pay, whatever it is...I just want to
>> be
Try an independent, you may be busy, but at least appreciated.

Signature
mred
teury@softwriters.com - 08 May 2007 02:20 GMT
> I've been a retail pharmacist for 3 years. While I enjoy the fast-paced work,
> I find it increasingly difficult to cope with the stress that builds up from
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> happy. Just can't work with the public directly anymore, retail setting does
> not help. I have seen the worst in people. I need a break from all that.
JUMI,
LONG TERM CARE PHARMACY!!
Move to the closed door pharmacy environment. Move to consulting
pharmacy.
There's SOOOOOooooo many pharmacies looking for your help.
Want to learn more?
Find me: www.pharmacytechnologypartners.com
I can help put you in touch with dozens of pharmacies.
crojiodo@guerrillamail.net - 01 Jun 2007 15:50 GMT
> I've been a retail pharmacist for 3 years. While I enjoy the fast-paced work,
> I find it increasingly difficult to cope with the stress that builds up from
> the day. The demands placed upon me from this particular chain and customers
> is just too much.
I find that visiting sites like http://pharmacytales.com/ and venting
my frustrations there helps quite a bit.
mred - 05 Jun 2007 03:05 GMT
>> I've been a retail pharmacist for 3 years. While I enjoy the fast-paced work,
>> I find it increasingly difficult to cope with the stress that builds up from
Try jogging a couple of miles each morning, worked for me till my feet
started bothering me at age 45. Now, I try to ride bicycle to work if
I have chance. Also helps to keep the BP down.

Signature
mred
jumi - 06 Jun 2007 18:47 GMT
Thanks for everyone's advice. I started training for my first marathon last
year and have continued to run since. I also have my piano and cello. It
definitely helps.
I'm convinced that the pharmacy has no place in a store setting. Community
pharmacies are important, but they should just be stand-alone pharmacies. I
still have relatives who think I could have worked my way up to pharmacist
status by starting off as a front clerk.
>>> I've been a retail pharmacist for 3 years. While I enjoy the fast-paced work,
>>> I find it increasingly difficult to cope with the stress that builds up from
>
>Try jogging a couple of miles each morning, worked for me till my feet
>started bothering me at age 45. Now, I try to ride bicycle to work if
>I have chance. Also helps to keep the BP down.
The Ole' Apothecary - 12 Aug 2007 05:33 GMT
Jumi, read the advice and join the discussion at www.jimplagakis.com
Also, I invite you to my blog at http://oleapothecary.blog.com
The Ole' Apothecary
> I've been a retail pharmacist for 3 years. While I enjoy the fast-paced work,
> I find it increasingly difficult to cope with the stress that builds up from
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> happy. Just can't work with the public directly anymore, retail setting does
> not help. I have seen the worst in people. I need a break from all that.
HankG - 12 Aug 2007 20:11 GMT
> Jumi, read the advice and join the discussion at www.jimplagakis.com
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> > happy. Just can't work with the public directly anymore, retail setting does
> > not help. I have seen the worst in people. I need a break from all that.
Consider the pharmaceutical (or related) industry if available in your area.
You can choose 'hands-on' areas such as manufacturing, quality
assurance/control. Consider graduate courses or training in Good
Manufacturing Practice or quality engineering, or if you prefer the
'hands-off' approach, such as positions in medical information, etc.
I spent many years in retail pharmacy when it (community pharmacy) was the
rule, not the exception. When chains were emerging, I too became
disenchanted. Moved on to hospital pharmacy for several years, where in
addition to routine duties, I taught pharmacology to a freshman nursing
class. The experience was enjoyable.
Later, an opportunity emerged with the startup of a entrepreneurial company
with a novel syringe, where I learned all aspects of parenteral
manufacturing. The company was later acquired by a major pharm. company
where I took on greater responsiblility.
I could go on, but I won't bore you. I'll sum it up by saying that I worked
for 3 major health care companies with postions of greater responsiblity.
These were the most enjoyable years of my career, from the standpoint of
accomplishmen, and usually working 5 days per week and home by dinner time.
You may have to take a slight backslide ($) [I did], but you can do a little
relief work to make it up.
Good luck.
HankG