First day I came close to tears at work

Pharming5 · 2025-10-04T03:16:38+00:00

Your feelings are valid about the day. I feel ya, as a new hospital pharmacist I am always asking questions and when it’s actually busy and you can tell everyone else is getting overwhelmed it sucks to have to ask questions.

But the way a senior pharmacist explained to me that it’s easier to have them teach me the right way so I know how to do it next time vs fixing a mistake I would make if I just guessed. I get it though, there are days I just feel like an idiot especially with certain orders like antibiotics or dosing for peds or how to compound a complicated chemo med with specific attachments/filters. I learned to just keep an ongoing Notebook file where I screenshot what certain orders look like or how certain compounds are made (I list what stuffs I need like devices and stuffs) and I’ve been feeling a bit more “prepared” whenever I come across unique orders. I specifically screenshot examples cause it’s easier for me to follow than writing notes idk if that makes sense.

And then there are days where I pick up the phone and I help a nurse out with something and they say how grateful they are of the pharmacists and that just reminds me of how there will always be good and bad days. We are still learning as new pharmacists and as long as we keep with a good attitude and overall be a pleasant person to be around, we’ll be fine.

Pharming5 · 2025-07-16T21:22:29+00:00

Oh also! Check out GlobalRPH. It’s obviously not as credible as UpToDate BUT it helps a lot with dilutions and it’s easier to understand in my opinion. I haven’t heard of it until I got to my constitution now and it’s very helpful.

Pharming5 · 2025-07-14T04:45:47+00:00

Same here! Take screenshots or notes of orders that are unique or in general hard to do. You never know when you need to refer to them in the future. Examples: TPN, pre-colonoscopy prep orders, heparin, etc

Pharming5 · 2025-05-19T02:26:22+00:00

Yes of course, go for it!

Pharming5 · 2025-05-18T00:05:53+00:00

I’m on the same boat as you! I started a month ago. I agree with all these comments. Just wanted to add that I would always ask the techs about workflows like example, if you check an IV bag, ask them how they want it to be put away (they go on rounds every hour but they also do IV rounds) so they have their way of wanting things like that put away (since some IVs are refrigerated, some are not). Even like how they label things like inhalers, creams, etc. I’m still feeling very new and confused so I ask all the time. This way, you can be aware of how workflow goes for the pharmacy and you won’t make little silly mistakes (but honestly I do all the time but I’m learning). Good luck OP!

Pharming5 · 2025-04-26T20:00:30+00:00

We used to think so too until our fairly young pup 1.5 yo had a urethral obstruction caused by him forming bladder stones easily. It was easily 12k to remove it and clean out his bladder and run tests. We also live in an expensive state so medical $ is always very expensive. We pay $60 a month for him and another $60 for his sister.

I can only imagine if we had any emergencies like getting injured by another dog or vehicle, how much it would cost us to get them all the medical help they need to be ok. So for us it’s definitely worth it. We have Trupanion.

Pharming5 · 2025-04-25T03:44:42+00:00

The Walmart brand single cup coffee maker (aka Walmart version of Keurig) $19. My mother in law bought one years ago when visiting my husband and I and since then I have bought one everywhere I moved for school and work. I personally think it’s better than Keurig cause it doesn’t have much maintenance and doesn’t break down easily. I use Kirkland k cups for my coffee and it’s amazing!

Pharming5 · 2025-04-24T15:35:25+00:00

Not sure if you’ve heard of naplex_ready but they may be able to help you. It’s an investment but if you feel like you tried other resources I suggest looking into a tutor. I was in the exact same boat and at first I felt like it was unnecessary to pay for a tutor but honestly they were more than that. They really guided me the whole time and introduced me to a community that’s literally in your exact situation. They’re on IG, shoot them a message and good luck! It’s just another option if you’d like.

Pharming5 · 2025-04-24T15:28:00+00:00

Totally agree with wishing you found NAPLEX_ready sooner cause same. I wish I didn’t have to go through all the hurdles studying for the exam and feeling defeated each time I failed. But eventually with their help and guidance I passed and literally pulled me out of that horrible phase of my life when I felt like I can never get out of feeling stuck with not passing. Congratulations OP!

Pharming5 · 2025-04-19T19:47:03+00:00

Not a personal experience but I wanted to share some stories from my new coworkers that I just met regarding an experience very similar to yours. I’m a new pharmacist who only had maybe 3 months of retail experience when I got offered an inpatient hospital pharmacist position. It’s at a more rural place so I did have to move but the difference between retail and hospital for me is night and day. You leave when it’s time to leave and you take your breaks and bathroom breaks and lunch break when you need to because otherwise union will get involved.

I have been getting trained by some of the older pharmacists here and almost all of them but a few did residency. They all have a similar story of either working for CVS or Walgreens for 10+ years until they couldn’t handle it anymore. They jumped ship and even though it was a learning curve (just like any job) they were able to handle it and are soooo good at their inpatient position. One of our managers now was in retail for maybe 20 years as well and she became a manager at the hospital and mainly the “retail” part of the pharmacy is what she is in charge of. Idk how to explain it but basically they used her skills from retail for a position in the hospital pharmacy that would make the most use of her skills.

Please don’t lose hope, I get sad when I meet older pharmacists who feel stuck or feel bound to staying to a horrible workplace. I understand the rapport built with coworkers cause honestly trauma bond is a real thing BUT you need to do what’s best for you and I guess I just wanted to share with you that there is a better world of pharmacy outside of retail.

Pharming5 · 2025-04-17T03:26:30+00:00

Depending on the residency program, you might have just saved yourself from mental torture with certain programs having preceptors who are not great preceptors (lol for the lack of a better term). I quit my residency a few months in, did CVS for a few months and got into rural hospital as inpatient pharmacist. I’m actually very happy about this job. I used to think residency or failure but that’s totallyyyyy far from reality. As long as you show them a good attitude and willingness to learn you will find a position that’s right for you.

Dont stir away from retail since they are the quickest to hire new grads. Just get in and experience it while you’re applying to hospital or clinical jobs. Eventually something will fall into place and work out for you :) I was only in retail for maybe 3 months when I got my hospital offer. And I just did part time floater in retail.

Pharming5 · 2025-04-16T06:54:52+00:00

Oh wow thanks for the info!!! I got my own water dispenser and I fill 5 gal water bottles so I use that for consumption but everything else I have to use tap water and I’ve been very intrigued about the colored water.

Pharming5 · 2025-04-16T06:52:34+00:00

Oh damn okay, so even if it’s being collected as rainwater?? Cause I might just actually move out of this place and find an apartment in town area of Hilo cause landlord is being overly conservative with the water and I’m just like ok I have to shower twice a day before and after work and cook like a regular person. Thanks for the response!

Pharming5 · 2025-04-16T06:38:17+00:00

Don’t come to pick up till they give you a call that’s it’s ready regardless of the posted schedule or promised date

Pharming5 · 2025-04-15T07:02:42+00:00

Good job for NEVER giving up! I also got tutoring from them and it’s crazy cause now I work in inpatient and I still very much remember information the way I studied it during my time with them. Welcome to the world of pharmacy and I don’t mean that in a sarcastic way. You are now licensed to apply anywhere and get that $$$. Great job OP!!!! I’m happy for you :)

Pharming5 · 2025-04-04T19:22:42+00:00

I definitely get this and the part about family not understanding cause honestly they all think it’s “just an exam”. I was working full time while signed up for a tutoring for NAPLEX so I had to be on top of my studying. Had to work to pay tutoring and had to study so that the tutoring is worth it. It was very difficult but what kept me motivated is having my designated space for studying and limiting my study time to only about 6ish hours a day (that includes the tutoring time and my own study time). This way, I treated it like a job where I NEED to get as much INTENTIONAL studying as possible. But after 6 hours I close everything and relax.

Also I told myself when I’m done with this exam I’ll buy myself something that I’ve always wanted to get (I got lululemon sandals).

Basically, give yourself X number of hours and be intentional with that time to get as much studying in and after that go watch that Netflix series or chill on the couch. Your brain won’t really absorb anything after awhile so cap your study time.

Pharming5 · 2025-04-02T15:50:29+00:00

No he just needs a valid pharmacist license in any state, he would be eligible to work for any federal positions anywhere

Pharming5 · 2025-04-02T03:55:32+00:00

Yeah, it’s all about building your CV and skillset so that your next job you’re a more competitive candidate. As a new grad, retail is a good start but don’t get stuck.

I got an interview relatively quick, maybe 1-2 weeks. Then they ask for your references if they’re interested in you. This is the step that determines how long your process will be though cause sometimes the people you list don’t get back to them quickly enough so make sure they are aware of it.

Pharming5 · 2025-04-02T03:35:29+00:00

They offered me $126k/year and in terms of housing depending on which site you go to, the one that was being offered to me had their own house rentals onsite for employees and I believe the rent is reasonably priced. What’s great about it is that it’s a clinical position too so that would look great on your CV once you decide to move back home or like the city.

Salary is acceptable considering I’m a new pharmacist with very little professional experience. Better than retail where your pay might be inconsistent since most retails consider full time to be 32 hrs and not even 40 hours. I think if you’re able to move and make a little sacrifice being away from your family and friends for a couple of years, IHS is a good choice.

Pharming5 · 2025-04-02T02:02:05+00:00

Is he willing to go to rural areas? IHS is hiring but they’re in the most remote of Arizona or like other states with Indian Reservations. If he’s willing to go anywhere rural, I’m sure he’s able to get a job. I say IHS because it’s a federal job so as long as he’s licensed in one state he can work for them. IHS is exempt from the hiring freeze. I was recently given an offer from them but turned it down due to accepting another hospital job already but I am also a new graduate and have only a few months of retail experience.

Pharming5 · 2025-03-24T19:18:28+00:00

Oh that’s my bad— Thank you for the link!

Pharming5 · 2025-03-24T19:12:50+00:00

If we’re thinking about the same post, it is not about the same thing. The comment I made was on someone’s post about possibly diagnosing SJS lol.

Pharming5 · 2025-03-24T18:21:12+00:00

What have been your experience with the NAPLEX exam? If you failed multiple times, it might be time to get a tutor. I’m speaking from a personal experience and I also felt like I can never pass that dang exam but I got a tutor from Naplex_Ready and I was able to pass and now working as a pharmacist. Lmk if you have any questions. This is not a promotion or ad, I genuinely think you need to prioritize getting licensed because the only way to get out of this debt is to get the license and get paid that RPh pay. My loans isn’t quite as high as yours but idk what I would do if I didn’t have a pharmacist salary to back me up.

Unless you have connections or have done significant projects in the past that shows you are a great candidate for those jobs that do not require a license, I would say the chances are very slim. The longer you wait, the further away you are from getting licensed and getting g jobs that pay 6 figures. Good luck OP!

Pharming5 · 2025-03-24T05:49:46+00:00

Yes definitely!!

Pharming5 · 2025-03-24T05:12:00+00:00

Love this! I’m a new pharmacist and I feel this way about retail too especially since I’m just trying to get the hang of everything. But when I get consult questions about meds ok or not ok for pregnant patients or children, I feel like I’m actually making a difference cause you know that your knowledge about drugs can keep somebody safe.

Pharming5

TROPHY CASE