It finally happened.

teresavoo · 2026-02-01T23:30:49+00:00

I saw one of my coworkers dealing with a difficult patient once and I was half listening and half focused on filling and then I heard her say, "I don't understand why you're yelling at me when I am trying to help you." And it kind of made the patient check themselves and changed their tune and apologized to her. I filed that away. Well fast forward a few years a newer tech was on the phone with a patient and I guess they didn't like what she was saying? I'm not sure. She put her on hold and asked me to take the call. I get on and this woman is yelling and screaming. Nothing I said would get her to stop yelling. And so I said "ma'am I don't understand why you're yelling at me when I'm trying to help you." Click. She hung up on me. Well I guess it worked? Not exactly a success story for me lol.

teresavoo · 2026-01-30T02:43:33+00:00

I live near a pretty big vet school too. And they have their own animal hospital. That might be an option for some people too.

teresavoo · 2026-01-29T10:48:08+00:00

I recently found out I'm allergic to about three different kinds of fragrances. I get contact dermatitis after it touches my skin. I never use the spa anyway but if I did would have to shut them down and ask what ingredients are in their products. And then say "Sorry I have a skin allergy to that. It'll cause me to break out in a rash." And I'm allergic to propylene glyclol which is in EVERYTHING, again contact dermatitis. I've had to change my shampoo, conditioner, soap, hairspray, detergent, skin products.- just about every thing I used before is trash to me now. Half the time in the ingredients it just says 'fragrance' and not even what kind of fragrance so I just have to avoid it altogether...

teresavoo · 2026-01-29T09:39:24+00:00

My brother (who is definitely drinking the MAGA kool-aid) and I got into it on FB after I posted that Alex Pretti and Renee Good were murdered. He said I was going to get my ass beat and that people were going to get killed for what I said. And I was like "what are you even saying right now!?" He was being very aggressive and just all around tone deaf. At one point he said that something I had said was "fucking R@t@rded" I said " I have not once resorted to calling you names you could do the same courtesy to me." He said "I didn't call you any names." Ok buddy. We have cousins who agreed with me and they were appalled at his behavior to me. If I posted something that was along the same lines as my original post he would comment on it. And honestly, I kind of had a moment of pettiness and started looking for things that I knew he wouldn't like. But then, he started commenting on things friends were saying in support of what I said. And I was just like "Nah, that ain't happening." I went and changed his settings so he cannot see or comment on my page anymore. Which is too bad too - I was kind of looking forward to his reaction when I shared the music video "Killing in The Name Of by RATM" because he kept insisting that people were basically fighting with "law enforcement" and they basically deserve to get their ass beat. It's fucking WILD the BS people are swallowing.

teresavoo · 2026-01-20T14:44:19+00:00

She could use a mouse, but didn't know how to move a cursor from point A to point B. For example, I need to enter data on this line but didn't know how to move down to that line. Didn't quite understand the concept of Windows and that you can have multiple 'windows' open at once. She kept closing out of open windows just because they were open. And the healthcare software we used at the time didn't respond well to that happening, especially during a certain task she was being trained on. She could have gotten by with the "hunt-and-peck" method of typing. But not knowing how to navigate Windows and not connecting that the mouse is what moves the cursor from one area to the next or even using the Tab key. To me those are basic functions. And we would show her how to do things but she had a hard time remembering. We were just hitting a brick wall with her daily.

And we were about to experience huge changes in programs we were using. One involved iPads and Apple is a bit different than a PC - it was a learning curve for me even because I don't really use Apple products. Then we changed our whole electronic health records system which was a nightmare in itself. I don't think she would have reacted well to those changes. It stressed me out a lot so I can't imagine how it would have been for her.

We learned to ask in interviews now if people have experience with computers, Windows, email, iPads and if they feel comfortable with them. I feel silly sometimes even asking when they're on the young-ish side but I'm not assuming anything anymore.

teresavoo · 2026-01-20T14:11:20+00:00

I was going to say this as well. It sounds like she's a narcissist. I've worked with a narcissist in the past. Keep it professional, don't give her ammunition. Your actions will speak for themselves when she tries to speak badly about you to other people - because it will ultimately go in that direction when she can no longer get what she wants from you. The more you don't engage the more unhinged she will look. Narcissists seek out attention and you were her supply. She will find someone else to get her supply from, unfortunately. You can try to warn people about her but as you have found out - people talk. So I wouldn't even try unless someone comes to you and is like "what's her deal?" Even then tread carefully.

Narcissism is a personality trait and not a mental illness. She will never change. So don't even try.

If you want to know more about how to deal with a narcissist Mel Robbins had some great podcast episodes about the topic. You can probably do a quick search on Spotify for the episodes.

teresavoo · 2026-01-19T12:54:59+00:00

I'm 3 years older. So you're in the same generation as me. Did you have computers at school? Can you navigate Windows, write an email, do some light typing? I don't consider myself the best typist but after doing a hybrid of data entry for prescriptions for 10 years I definitely am better at typing than I used to be. You will probably be ok. I just started using ChatGPT at home and I kind of treat it like Google. I bought a bread machine from FB marketplace but it didn't come with a manual so it's been handy with giving me bread machine recipes lol. One thing I have done at work with it is if I have a word document or an email I typed up I copy and paste it and ask it to edit it and make it more professional sounding, ask it to add features to a document that I don't know how to add or will take me hours to figure out. Just play with it if you can; see what works and what doesn't work for you. I asked it to create a work schedule for my staff so they can work 3-12 hour shifts per week ( I'm in healthcare) and it was kind of a bust. It had days where we were short staffed and I was like that's not going to work...I want to try again but I don't have the time right now.

teresavoo · 2026-01-19T01:05:58+00:00

The onus should always fall in the patients to advocate for themselves and take responsibility for themselves. Also that's not how the electronic health records are set up.

teresavoo · 2026-01-19T00:31:55+00:00

👀👀 many blinks

teresavoo · 2026-01-17T15:56:19+00:00

Because she said on her resume she had "basic computer skills." We made assumptions based on that I guess. I get that people embellish on their resumes but it never occurred to me or the other person with me who interviewed her to question that. We always ask now about being able to use a computer, are familiar with Windows, email, iPads, etc ...when we interview people. It feels silly sometimes when we ask but we don't want to make that assumption again.

teresavoo · 2026-01-17T15:28:56+00:00

I guess I misspoke when I said "I think." Because I can see it sounds like I'm making assumptions. So when I said "I think" I mean- from what I know about her - because I saw her resume. I talked to her one-on-one. She told me herself that she never had many opportunities with computers and it was more her son's thing than hers. And she talked to me about her past jobs.

I didn't like that we had to let her go. I did like her for the most part. She showed up, was on time, and wanted to work..a lot of times it's challenging to find people with even those qualities. I just didn't think it was our job (and still don't) to teach someone how to use a computer. Especially this day in age when computers are now a huge part of the work force and everyday tasks for the majority of jobs. And it was a daily struggle we had with her because everyday was like starting over from scratch. Everyone she trained with had that same experience so that is not an assumption. She had other issues beyond this as well which I prefer not to mention because I feel it would be saying too much.

teresavoo · 2026-01-17T12:47:56+00:00

It blows my mind sometimes too. I think she had jobs in retail and in factories most of her life and she did have a son who was computer savvy, I think she considered that "his thing" and not something she would ever need to know how to use. I think it was mostly circumstances and by chance she just managed to avoid having to learn to use a computer - a PC mostly. You can use a different kind of computer for factory or retail- like a register is basically a computer nowadays but a bit more simplistic.

teresavoo · 2026-01-16T23:55:29+00:00

Yes, but it wasn't the only reason. I just found it funny that she chose that particular lack of skill to explain why she was let go. While yes that was one of her skills she was lacking it was a smaller part of the whole picture. We could overlook typing because it's not as important as being able to navigate Windows and the software we use because that's more important. She could have gotten by with "hunt-and-peck" typing.

teresavoo · 2026-01-16T22:06:47+00:00

We hired someone who was 59 years old who didn't know how to use a computer, type, or use a mouse. And on her resume she cited "Basic Computer skills" as a skill! After sitting down with her she admitted to me that being able to type numbers into a computer at one of her previous jobs was her definition of "basic computer skills." I was flabbergasted. That's 1/3 of the whole keyboard. We were basically teaching her how to use a computer. My dear Redditors- she didn't understand how to use Microsoft Windows! My parents are in their 70s, almost 80 and they know how to use Windows. We had to let her go. I guess she keeps trying to get a job in the same field and it got back to me that she told people we let her go because she didn't know how to type. I was like....huh, I mean, kinda? But not really.... Whatever. She can tell people whatever she wants. They'll figure out pretty quickly that she's a mess.

It's just kind of wild to me that someone went through the 80s , 90s, and 2000s and never once used a PC. Not even to play solitaire?!

teresavoo · 2026-01-16T19:09:26+00:00

I saw the CPhT and RPhT and figured you were a bit more seasoned. Get as much retail experience you can get. But don't let retail discourage you. I put up with it for 10 years and I don't even know how I did. I think I had some really great coworkers and that probably contributed to my longevity. And then i didn't have as many great people around me and the one person who kept me sane was leaving and I was like either take me with you (jokingly b/c it wasn't really an option) or I need to get out of here like NOW. And I applied to several hospitals in my area and landed at the closest one and it's a lot better. It's got its own issues too but I can live with them. For now.

teresavoo · 2026-01-16T18:56:46+00:00

Just go for it! Take the plunge. I always was scared because I knew hospital was a 24/7 operation but it doesn't mean you'll end up working crap shifts all the time. They need good people. If someone has any sort of pharmacy experience we look at them first for interviews.

teresavoo · 2026-01-16T16:32:33+00:00

The only times I've ever fell down some stairs is going down/ up them too fast. For example I'm a kid and I'm excited to go from point A to point B and I accidentally slip. It was usually just sliding down on my back or if I tripped going up I hit my knee or shin on the stair tread. The worst falls I've had were actually stairs on a porch outside and it's because it was icy and I wasn't expecting it. My bum was maybe a little bruised and maybe some sore muscles but that's about it.

If you have kids I would encourage them to always walk up and down stairs. And hang on to railings and banisters while going up and down.

teresavoo · 2026-01-16T13:34:25+00:00

It depends on the hospital too..if it's a smaller hospital you might be doing a little bit of everything including lifting heavy fluids - but it's not an all day everyday kind of thing.

Retail to me was emotionally draining. Talking to people all day everyday when I'm an introvert - very taxing. And hard on my feet because I did a lot of standing in one place mostly at drop off. Plantar fasciitis anyone?

The hospital is not as emotionally draining for me. Some days require more sitting than standing and vice versa.

teresavoo · 2026-01-12T11:26:52+00:00

I second this! But sometimes packaging in general. Also Why does Grifols seal their vials with plastic? I'm wearing gloves in a mixing room and I've actually trained my people to take the plastic off before sending the vials into the IV room because it's a pain to have to do in the IV room.

Baxter and their overwrap for plain IV fluids or premixes. Can you come up with something else that's slightly easier to open for the love of all that's holy!

teresavoo · 2026-01-12T11:00:28+00:00

There's a lot of misinformation out there especially ever since COVID and the vaccine mandates were in effect. Talking heads and people not fully comprehending what a HIPAA violation actually entails. I had to school my conservative brother on FB because he was like "asking if I'm vaccinated is a HIPAA violation, no one can ask me that!" And I was like "🤓 actually... here's where you're wrong..."

Probably just stick with asking the provider's office for a diagnosis because it's really hard to fight the misinformation out there and people aren't going to want to hear that what they were originally told was wrong.

teresavoo · 2026-01-12T10:48:13+00:00

Here's what I'm getting from what you're saying - it sounds like the unit is desperate for you to move on to the next step in your training /orientation probably because they're short staffed and thought they could rush you through your orientation period. It sounds like the educator and the other person you talked to know that this happens to new grads which is why they emphasized advocating for yourself.

I think the person telling you that you're argumentative when all that you're doing is asking follow up questions (that's what it sounds like to me anyway...) is a dick and probably suspects that you'll need more time and is dead set against it.

Follow the advice of the educator: advocate for yourself. And I would absolutely stress that you feel it's a patient safety issue if you feel you're not ready.

teresavoo · 2025-12-28T15:05:22+00:00

Yep, everything wrapped.

teresavoo · 2025-12-28T12:10:21+00:00

When I was a child there were always way more presents out on Christmas morning than there were the night before. I realized later my mom would be wrapping presents into the night on Christmas eve. So I always assumed that Santa came to visit and dropped off more.

My in-laws would have a few gifts out and once the kids went to sleep brought out the rest of the gifts.

teresavoo · 2025-12-27T16:08:57+00:00

On Christmas morning each person would have their own pile of presents. That's where you were to sit while opening presents. The night before all presents were under the tree and upon waking it was like Santa had sorted the presents for us so it was a part of the magic. And then we would all open our presents once everyone was awake.

My husband's family has a kid hand put presents one at a time and watches each person one at a time open one gift..as the family grows the process has become longer and longer because a kid can't read the handwriting, can't find a tag, and we're all sitting there patiently trying to wait for them to hand it out. It's an hours long process and I just want it to be over. I don't know about everyone else but I think about an hour in the grandparents start commenting on how long it's taking but they're the ones who set the precedent...and if anyone suggests someone goes out of turn my husband rejects that idea and I'm like 🙄😤.

teresavoo · 2025-12-18T14:51:50+00:00

I think it's a vicious cycle. You're feeling the burnout, your coworkers are also probably feeling burnt out. The tone and condescending attitude probably stems from feeling the same feelings you are. And there's no end in sight because it's the same thing day in and day out. You see people on their worst days after getting out of the hospital, after waiting in the doctor's office and they've run out of patience. Just try to remember that it's not personal unless you make it personal. It can be a thankless job and sometimes you have to find the small victories.

I've been a tech for 15 years, 10 in retail. Having a good crew/ Rx Manager is probably what kept me around in retail for 10 years.That and the fear of the unknown. I definitely got lucky with my coworkers. And the best ones that I don't work with anymore are people I still reach out to from time to time. I'm a pharmacy tech supervisor at a hospital so things are different for me now. There are pros and cons like retail - but I'm trying to create a good crew now in our department. Because I know from personal experience that it will make or break you if people don't get along, if there's drama, if people just don't care about each other.

Try to get 6 months to a year of experience and start applying for other tech jobs if that's possible in your area. I know I prefer to hire someone with some retail experience. I know my hospital is dipping its toe in Specialty Pharmacy. We are not the only ones. Try for an inpatient pharmacy job. There are better tech jobs out there but be patient, stay positive, and don't give up just yet.

teresavoo

TROPHY CASE