Moving from hospiatl to Communiy-PROS N CONS

[hospitalpharmacist]

Im a hospital pharmacist(band 6) who is considering on switching to community due to family commitments ie kids, money, i have completed the first part of the diploma course and im waiting for my results now,im not sure whether to complete the last year or just move into community straight away.? what are the pros and cons about community pharmacy?

[jay.d]

More money, less autonomy...

Targetted MURs and NMS to do.

Community is what you make of it..I see more unhappy and unmotivated pharmacists in community than I have while on placement in hospital this summer but I do feel that it's more to do with the individuals than the sector as a whole.

[sparkybw]

If you want more family time then you also need to think about the fact that you will almost certainly be required to work at least Saturday and possibly Sunday as well in community. Add on working bank holidays and most of Christmas, Easter etc and the grass is not always greener.

[johnep]

When in community, I never had an Easter weekend where I could go away as had to work on Saturday. One reason I quit retail.
johnep

[hibernia]

Community practice is also very inflexible for dealing with unexpected problems like a sick child and even getting time off for things like parent teacher meetings or school concerts can be a problem. In a hospital there will be somebody who can cover you for a few hours but you will usually be the only pharmacist in a shop and just have to stay until closing time.

[Pharmanaut]

Community practice is also very inflexible for dealing with unexpected problems like a sick child and even getting time off for things like parent teacher meetings or school concerts can be a problem. In a hospital there will be somebody who can cover you for a few hours but you will usually be the only pharmacist in a shop and just have to stay until closing time.

Join community pharmacy and you have to be prepared to be a community pharmacist first, second and third.
Its the way it is.

[hospitalpharmacist]

Thank you all for your suggestions..

[johnep]

Why not have the best of both worlds? Hospital 9-5 M-F and evening locum, say one day a week as I did. Also Sunday one hour rotas and a few Saturdays.
johnep

[hospitalpharmacist]

@john, my only problem is that i don not wish to complete the diploma as it will be too time consuming for me, because i have kids i dont think i can cope with the amount of work required for it..i thought comunity will be the best option

[Pharmanaut]

@john, my only problem is that i don not wish to complete the diploma as it will be too time consuming for me, because i have kids i dont think i can cope with the amount of work required for it..i thought comunity will be the best option

Thought : if you play your cards right you could choose child friendly part time hours.