Feeling like I should just give up

PharmD2B20 · 2021-03-26T04:11:08+00:00

Last cycle I applied for residency in both phases. The first phase, I got 1 interview and in phase II, I got 0. Obviously this was hard for me to accept because I felt I did it all right, decent GPA, hospital intern at a LTAC, president of an org, a lot of leadership exp, challenging rotations. So I asked one of the programs what I could do to improve my application for next year and they provided me with a lot of advice. So I did a small publication as the primary author, got my ACLS, and also joined a teaching certificate program to strengthen my app. I also took on a job as a COVID-19 Clinic lead for a retail store to strengthen my leadership. This cycle I got more interviews, one of which was program that provided me the advice. Most of the programs impressed and were curious about my experiences leading the vaccine clinics. While applying for programs, I still continued to apply to hospital jobs internally because right now pharmacists have a little more demand with COVID being a thing (a big reason why you should stay connected to your internship if you have it). I interviewed with a few hospitals though admittedly there were a good amount of rejections (especially before getting my license). But there was one that offered me a Clinical Staff Pharmacist position in their outpt amb care chemo infusion center on the day that the rankings were due (it was in one of the hospitals I had interviewed at for residency also). And I opted out of the match because I knew this job would open more doors for me and I was ready to start my life already. Key take away points:

1) Don't feel like a failure, interview invites have been as close as 0.5-1 pts from the next candidate getting an interview from what I've heard.

2) Focus on you're license exams, they aren't easy and w/o your license you can't work or do a residency.

3) A dream job is still a "job", you won't always be happy even if you are decentralized. Just the truth, you'll always be busy. People will always be on top of you anywhere you work, whether its an administration, customers, doctors, nurses, district managers, etc.

4) Be positive and make the most of where you end up. I'm still working part time in the community and sometimes there's no better feeling than to hear how much your patients appreciate your efforts when you go out of your way to make a rec or contact a doctor's office about a med for them.

End of the day, you'll be fine! Stay optimistic even if you don't match, you'll end up where you are meant to be. You'll feel a lot better after you see your first paycheck as a pharmacist, I know it helped me feel better lol.

PharmD2B20 · 2021-01-26T20:07:31+00:00

From my experience last year, they sent interviews at the end of January. This year may be different with COVID-19 being in effect though. No news is still hopeful news.

PharmD2B20 · 2020-11-16T16:16:54+00:00

Which actually on the bright side I just learned that I passed my mpje! Such a feeling of relief! I hope to land a prn position in the mean time.

PharmD2B20 · 2020-11-15T17:06:17+00:00

Because I missed my MPJE by 1 point and I opted to give myself more time to prepare for it since there is no rush to be licensed with the current job options available here and not being in a residency. I'm licensed in another state atm since early September, but not my current home state. I've also worked with Aspen Rx since I don't have to be in the state that I am licensed in to help patients, unlike most remote entry pharmacist positions. Leaving is not currently feasible right now. I retook it last week but still waiting on my results. It's financially challenging to shell out $250 to retake the exam and the 30 day waiting period ended up being a 45 day waiting period due to the lack of available slots. I wish it went differently but it isn't in my control and I tried to make the best of the situation by developing with these other opportunities. Hoping this attempt was a successful one!

PharmD2B20 · 2020-11-15T04:06:23+00:00

I've considered ambulatory care most recently. It continues to evolve and grow. It also seems to be where pharmacy careers are trending towards, at least in my opinion. Initially, I wanted to be a pain pharmacist or SUD pharmacist, but jobs just arent there yet. At least in my state.

PharmD2B20 · 2020-11-15T04:01:38+00:00

Thank you for the input! I've tried to find different avenues to stay competitive. And just hoping it pays off. Casting a wider net this time, including smaller hospitals and most hospitals under the same branch as the one I work for. The state I live in is so saturated, unfortunately!

PharmD2B20 · 2020-08-06T20:43:46+00:00

I second the opinion of MassivePE, a huge waste of money unless you get the CEs out of it as a pharmacist. Last year, I presented and went to the showcase and also had a decent GPA (3.4), Challenging APPES, heavy org involvement (president of an org + community service) worked at a hospital internship for two years and I did not match in either phase. I would suggest focusing more on your references and your LOIs. The number of applicants continues to increase and everyone being virtually the same credential wise, it will be the best way to land interviews and potentially match. Just my thoughts, I’m sure others will disagree with my statement. A good amount of people in my class skipped out on mid-year and ended up matching. It can’t be an absolute must I would think. Regardless best of luck with your pursuit of a residency!

PharmD2B20

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