why did you choose community pharmacy

[Ijenks]

BellaNotte yes I do relief for a multiple and don't get me wrong reliefing has been good in that I've learnt a lot professionally and gained a lot of experience without the pressures of too much responsibility. Just as importantly I've learnt a lot about the kind of pharmacist I am, which environments I work best in, what makes a good dispensary team and what doesn't. It's a great way to start out (I only qualified last summer) and I have enjoyed many aspects of it but it could be time for a change so I can get my life back! I had always planned to start locuming after a while however it's becoming increasingly dificult to get locum work in my area at the moment so I'm not sure it's the best time to jump ship. Certainly the position I'm in is all my own choosing and I am keeping an eye out for alternatives be it a suitable store-based position or to get out of the dispensary altogether.

Thanks Pharmanaut, I totally agree!

Good luck with finding an alternative. Sadly, you are the whipping boy/girl for the multiples: newly qualified, relief, likely to have little/no ties (a rash generalisation, I know).

Where are you based? I know it seems and feels very hard and that there may be no light at the end of the tunnel. Things will improve - but you'll need to be proactive in making the change. Write to independents with your CV (this works! I got my current job this way, and two other offers - despite there being no advertised positions in all of Wales at the time), speak to your regional manager/line manager, contact other multiples (much of a muchness though), and put YOURSELF first!

Chin up, and make the changes for yourself, for the better.

Ian

[snowy]

Thanks for the tips Ijenks, it's encouraging to hear other's successes in doing something about it! I'm based in London which adds to the problem I think as there are so many of us here!