Midyear or Nah?

[Doc Hawaii]

Actually a Rodney Realistic. Been there, done that. Don't believe me? Ask your contacts in industry.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[JamesL1585]

Have you heard from current employees about the job stability in the pharmaceutical industry? Sounds like it's hard as f*ck to get a position as a clinical trials specialist, sales rep., scientist, etc. But once you get passed the fellowship year, are most of the fellows retained? And those that are retained . . . how long do they realistically last? Haven't heard much - I do know for a fact (like you mentioned in a prior post) that these conferences can turn into Hunger Games 2.0. What's your 2 cents?

I know layoffs are huge these days because of patents not going through, FDA's stingy policies, drug company mergers, CEO's wanting to maximize profit, etc. It's crazy enough to prepare a good CV just to get attention from these big pharma guys, and usually requires all the "eggs in one basket" strategy, i.e., this would not give one enough time and resources to prepare for a backup plan such as obtaining floating hours at CVS/Wags - and the timeframe to apply (as you mentioned) to these things are supposed to be done within the 2-3 years after graduation. Very difficult and I commend your enthusiasm!

Yea I have heard, most people who do fellowship stay in industry. Most companies retention rates are very high too. You're considered top talent to them. You go and rotate through the company and make several connections, they have a vested interest in you to finish a fellowship and be an instant leader in MOST situations. That's what I gathered.

Layoffs are something in the industry that pharmacist aren't used to, and I can't speak much to that. But again, you're usually in leadership if you complete a fellowship, so that may help some, but again this is just my thinking, I have no basis to speak on.

Thanks for the kind words, I just know industry is for me, always have.

 

[NCW9682]

when I think of a student saying this I think of one of the unemployed new grads

The majority of recent grads that I know were offered jobs early in their P4 year both hospital and retail and none bothered with residency. A solid work history is more important, not your ability to tote a clipboard and look at charts in nursing stations all day. Globalrph can do that from the basement.

 

[Dred Pirate]

The majority of recent grads that I know were offered jobs early in their P4 year both hospital and retail and none bothered with residency. A solid work history is more important, not your ability to tote a clipboard and look at charts in nursing stations all day. Globalrph can do that from the basement.

I didn't do a residency - I was just commenting on the attitude

 

[NCW9682]

Um, you're pretty ignorant about responsibilities of a clinical pharmacists. Maybe you should educate yourself so you don't sound like such an idiot...

sorry...let me bring you in to reality. Clinical pharmacy is a joke that is sold to every pharmacy student that walks through the door. News flash...you arent a doctor...you are a pharmacist. My comment is not ignorant but truthful.

 

[NCW9682]

and im arguing with an unemployed "resident"?

 

[NCW9682]

actually global and facts can do your job and it happens every day.

 

[NCW9682]

congrats on wasting a year and losing all that pay only to maybe get the job ill be offered my P4 year

 

[NCW9682]

best of luck with all of your nonsense...wear that long coat and pretend your a real doc...

 

[GoldfishPharmD]

I'm deleting my post. Not going to bring negativity around here especially dealing with a jaded pharmacy student that has no clue what they're talking about.

 

[NCW9682]

done arguing, best of luck

 

[janeno]

congrats on wasting a year and losing all that pay only to maybe get the job ill be offered my P4 year

best of luck with all of your nonsense...wear that long coat and pretend your a real doc...

These are too funny! You will never even be considered for a job that any of PGY2 residents are applying for.

 

[IndustryPharmD]

Actually the pace of the layoffs has slowed quite a bit since late 00's and there is even a bit of the expansion going on. It does vary depending on your specialty, though, and on where you fit in the experience/age bracket.

 

[NCW9682]

These are too funny! You will never even be considered for a job that any of PGY2 residents are applying for.

I dont want the job of a PGY2...I would actually like to choose where I live based on desire for wanting to live there, not based on a specialty. Have fun living in North Dakota.

 

[GoldfishPharmD]

I dont want the job of a PGY2...I would actually like to choose where I live based on desire for wanting to live there, not based on a specialty. Have fun living in North Dakota.

Regardless of residency training or even profession, some people have to move to follow the opportunities that they want. To those, having their dream job is more important than settling for whatever job that they might not enjoy to live somewhere that they like.

 

[NCW9682]

Im 32 and Ive moved 5 times for work since undergrad, its not so great. One of the major reasons I went back to school is so that I could choose where I live...clinical pharmacy does not offer that option.

 

[NCW9682]

if pharmacy is your dream job you are probably the most boring person alive.

 

[NCW9682]

i cannot think of a more mundane career...but it pays well so thats why im interested.

 

[NCW9682]

Regardless of residency training or even profession, some people have to move to follow the opportunities that they want. To those, having their dream job is more important than settling for whatever job that they might not enjoy to live somewhere that they like.

if youre dream job consists of counseling bed ridden patients on the proper use of a frikin medihaler then have at it

 

[GoldfishPharmD]

if youre dream job consists of counseling bed ridden patients on the proper use of a frikin medihaler then have at it

You honestly have a poor knowledge of what clinical pharmacists do. I've never had to counsel patients on how to use an inhaler. Weren't you in here praising about how community pharmacists actually help the community? Isn't that something that they would be required to do- counsel patients on proper use of their medications? Also, what's wrong with that? Everything, no matter how little, can make a difference in the care of a patient. Why are you knocking something that could potentially be important?

Also, if you read what I wrote, I said following your dream job and opportunities isn't something that's limited to clinical pharmacists...reading comprehension takes you far it life. Try it.

 

[GoldfishPharmD]

if pharmacy is your dream job you are probably the most boring person alive.

Telling from your post, you must be an angry and resentful person. I don't know why anyone would bother wasting their time in a residency forum to bash people that are interested in doing a residency. That's something someone with no life and being a loser would do. Why don't you go do something fun since you're not a boring person?

 

[John Detter]

if youre dream job consists of counseling bed ridden patients on the proper use of a frikin medihaler then have at it

If your dream job consists of mindlessly filling scripts like a monkey all day while cussing out your district manager under your breath why he left you with one tech and there's a line out to wazoo at drive thru, pickup, and drop off then have at it

 

[Transformer]

Im 32 and Ive moved 5 times for work since undergrad, its not so great. One of the major reasons I went back to school is so that I could choose where I live...clinical pharmacy does not offer that option.

I am of similar background, moved several times for work, and went back for pharmacy school.
Just like how retail pharmacy is a good fit for you, purely clinical pharmacy jobs (ones requiring PGY2) may be a good fit for others.

I agree, some clinical pharmacists who receive specialized training (PGY2) may be restricting themselves to a limited number of clinical jobs. Depending on the specialty and the job market, it may lead to not being able to choose where they like to live right away.

Contrary to your description of residency as "wasting a year", I strongly believe completing a year of residency actually makes a pharmacist extremely flexible. It allows one to be competitive in almost all job markets and for a wide range of pharmacy job settings (community, hospital, hybrid clinical/staff jobs, LTCF, etc). It may also give one the opportunity to move into administration, research, industry, and academia.

A lot of my work experiences are in retail/community pharmacy so I have the utmost respect for retail pharmacists. good luck!

 

[GoldfishPharmD]

I am of similar background, moved several times for work, and went back for pharmacy school.
Just like how retail pharmacy is a good fit for you, purely clinical pharmacy jobs (ones requiring PGY2) may be a good fit for others.

I agree, some clinical pharmacists who receive specialized training (PGY2) may be restricting themselves to a limited number of clinical jobs. Depending on the specialty and the job market, it may lead to not being able to choose where they like to live right away.

Contrary to your description of residency as "wasting a year", I strongly believe completing a year of residency actually makes a pharmacist extremely flexible. It allows one to be competitive in almost all job markets and for a wide range of pharmacy job settings (community, hospital, hybrid clinical/staff jobs, LTCF, etc). It may also give one the opportunity to move into administration, research, industry, and academia.

A lot of my work experiences are in retail/community pharmacy so I have the utmost respect for retail pharmacists. good luck!

This exactly. I have a lot of respect for those that become community pharmacists because I'll admit, I wouldn't/couldn't do it. If that was my only choice, I'd honestly get out of pharmacy and look for something else because I know I'd be miserable but I still respect and show respect to those that do it but I find it funny how some of those people come in here and start crap and speak negatively. I find it funnier with the negative talk isn't even accurate. I seriously don't understand this warring between pharmacists that work in different areas and needing to attempt to try and burst other people's bubbles.