"Newly qualified pharmacists feel undervalued and overworked"

[unholyteddy]

I just come across this article:

Newly qualified pharmacists feel undervalued and overworked | PJ Online

Even though this is years away from me, I wanted to do Pharmacy because I thought I would enjoy it. I loved the course outline and my work experience, but if Pharmacists are hardly using their clinical knowledge and becoming 'dispensing robots'- no wonder job satisfaction is low!

Will there be major reforms within Pharmacy soon?

[Defblade]

There have been; this is the current result.

I'd suggest that working for an indie is far more likely to lead to job satisfaction than for a multiple (altho I have met some very happy multiple managers. I just can't see me in that particular round hole, and it seems I'm not alone....)

[hanah]

Unfortunately, there aren't many independent pharmacies around. Where can you find their advertisements for jobs??
The PCT or whoever is responsible for granting permission to open pharmacies should make it easier for pharmacists to open independent pharmacies than for the multiples owned by non-pharmacists. This would reduce the exploitation of pharmacists by multiples.

[johnep]

No one cares, no one worries, and this feeling is also prevalent in USA.

However, if there were no multiples, then jobs would be scarce and salaries low. They are a necessary evil for those of us who do not have our own pharmacy.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

No one cares, no one worries, and this feeling is also prevalent in USA.

That's a fact.
The work piles higher and higher, everyone wants it right now, so we have to work faster and more efficiently.
Regularly go in early and stay late just to keep on top of it.

[Defblade]

Unfortunately, there aren't many independent pharmacies around. Where can you find their advertisements for jobs??

In the PJ. However, most are filled by word-of-mouth before getting to advert stage.... eg by enticing their good locum into a proper job (happened twice to me now ), or by getting to know people at branch meetings/training courses etc (which is where you'll find those pharmacists interested in more than the bare bones of the job).

If it's the sort of job you're looking for, get yourself out and about and known.

[johnep]

PCTS favouring independents? What an innocent!, PCTs want the most money and this is offered by multiples. Developers will auction the opportunity to open in a health centre and frequently the pharmacy is subsidising the Drs.
johnep

[unholyteddy]

It is good to know all these issues, so I don't graduate from university scared and alone!

[Rafael]

It is good to know all these issues, so I don't graduate from university scared and alone!

Plumbers earn more than pharmacists, they charge you whatever they want, usually not negotiable hourly rate so you only take it or leave it. if you still did not start the degree, you might consider doing a medical/dentistry degree. if you are after the money, then do not do pharmacy. i only wanted to be a pharmacist, that's why i did not do a business or medical course.

[unholyteddy]

Plumber earn more than pharmacists, they charge you whatever you want, usually not negotiable hourly rate so you only take it or leave it. if you still did not start the degree, you might consider doing a medical/dentistry degree. if you are afte the money, then do not do pharmacy. i only wanted to be a pharmacist, that's why i did not do a business or medical course.

With my grades, extra-curricular activities and attendance at a school where a fifth of the year go to Oxbridge, I was effectively told I would be a sure chance. However, I wanted to do a degree I would be happy with- rather than one which might be regarded as 'higher' by some. I never regret not applying for Natural Sciences, Biochemistry, Dentistry or Medicine, because I honestly love the Pharmacy course and the future path. I know the money is not great comparatively, but I knew I would have always regretted not going for it. Exploring and looking into Pharmacy more and more, even though there are issues (which career path hasn't?), I love it more and more. I bucked the trend in my family and put number one first, even though I had lots of pressure to choose another course.