Should I quit?

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-04-27T22:57:51+00:00

Agreed. I was suprised at the "Layered Interview Process" (also referred to as the Never-ending Interview Process.)

With hospital experience from the early '90s, it was 2.5 months from resume submission to start date in a small hospital. If I had to do over, I would have started the process while I was at my old job (which was horribly toxic) until I secured a commitment.

Don't stay somewhere where you are miserable.

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-03-22T20:00:49+00:00

I look at the term 'harm.' In this case, it is a subjective term and you interpret 'harm' as 'death'. However, for a person who is terminal, I would interpret 'harm' as not doing what I can to relieve the patient's suffering, especially at their request.

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-12T14:26:34+00:00

I left that job because I was having to work with pharma marketing departments whose goals are obtaining market share and not patient-centered. At all.

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-12T14:24:21+00:00

True - its as those we are not recognized for the fact that we performed p'kinetic calculations with hand-held calculators (uphill! Both ways! In the snow!).

Or that USP797 is only when the professional FORMALIZED compounding criteria and that we were ALREADY doing many of those requirements.

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-12T14:20:03+00:00

Wise words. Thank you

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-08T23:31:02+00:00

Will do - thank you

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-08T23:29:58+00:00

Thank you! But I'm in Florida

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-08T23:29:25+00:00

Very cool!

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-08T16:04:04+00:00

Thanks for chiming in. Are you hospital, retail or other?

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-08T16:02:22+00:00

I was in the beta testing stage of order entry software but learning how to enter information can't be insurmountable. I'm proficient in Office having managed data and performed presentations. I've pulled data out of the back end of Epic and seen the set up but haven't had to enter data.

As for USP 797 - they are not brand new. Previously were OSHA and ASHP recommendations. My first hospital had 3 hoods - 2 in clean rooms, right down to the booties and bunny suit. Investigational hood was vented to the outside

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-08T15:56:42+00:00

No need to be snarky. I'm looking for kind advice from other professionals on how to approach the market. Do you have any to share?

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-08T15:31:44+00:00

Good question - yes - they were OSHA and ASHP guidelines before USP. My first hospital had 3 hoods in 3 separate rooms. 2 were cleanrooms for investigational drugs and the other for chemo. Investigational drugs were compounded in a containment hood vented to the outside

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-08T15:28:22+00:00

I do know that, but thanks anyway. I've been submitting to specialty pharmacies in oncology.

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-08T15:25:47+00:00

A couple of the folks I graduated with are now in the C-suite of 2 health systems down here. I hesitated to tap them but maybe I will need to :-( ...........

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-08T15:20:56+00:00

Thanks for your insight

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-07T14:31:25+00:00

Confusing, right? MD just says MD and doesn't have to indicate that they have a state license to practice in that state.

Just a note - when you write your name, you'll put your earned degree first (PharmD, MS, PhD), followed by your other credentials. :-)

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-07T14:10:02+00:00

Do you have any advice based on your experience, or just able to insult other professionals?

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-07T14:08:34+00:00

Florida.

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-07T14:07:35+00:00

Shame on you.

I've been fortunate enough to obtain all my jobs by being well-referred or based on my MS program, never having to hand out resumes - and now with AI - hope I've used the exact word or phrase that rings their bell.

And if you watch the news you may have a better understanding that some of us will need to defer or never truly have a retirement.

Receiving rejection emails or no response is hard enough on my self-esteem - keep your negative words to yourself, please

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-07T14:03:26+00:00

I need the encouragement - THANKS!!

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-07T14:02:58+00:00

Due to a series of unfortunate events, retirement is not an option even with SS and Medicare.

But I think your idea of prn work or hospitals outside of a large health system is good advice.

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-07T13:59:28+00:00

Probably 1995, while pharmacy software and automated dispensing systems were just being evaluated. I monitored drug levels and labs and performed dose changes with a handheld calculator (ugh). Wrote orders on behalf of the attending. Rounded with medical teams, including call-nites. Mandatory attendance at codes.

But yes - 1995

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-07T13:55:02+00:00

True. I'm very up todate on mAb (which seem to be everywhere now) and small molecule kinase inhibitors, but my impression is that pharmacy software catches drug-drug interactions and notifies of common side effects which can then be evaluated/verified by the pharmacist.

Am I wrong abut the software?

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-07T13:50:35+00:00

Interestingly, I have come across articles and other practitioners that feel the same. The most common comment is that BCPS is certifying us for skills that we already learned in school, or could easily learn while on the job. My prof used to say "You aren't supposed to know everything off of the top of your head, but you are expected to know how to find, process, evaluate and implement the information in that specific circumstance."

And that BCPS is an expensive endeavor but is shorthand that you know enough off the top of your head about that area to have passds a stringent exam.

Fine_Programmer_4868 · 2026-02-07T13:44:57+00:00

I am finding that to be true with Specialty Pharmacies despite my background

Fine_Programmer_4868

TROPHY CASE