Experienced Pharmacist Rambles

It’s been a while. Is everyone doing okay?

Update on the last two months, kids. 

// Previously on “New Pharmacist Graduate”//

I failed the law exam the first time around. I was frustrated to say the least. Another delay in starting my career. I should have looked at it as more free time before starting full time with RETAIL. However, all the setbacks I had this year made it the last straw for me. Did the universe really not want me to do what I wanted to be happy?

The week after failing, I started to study again for law. Then I realized I had a very long time until I was allowed to retake the exam. So fuck that noise. I knew what laws I had trouble with and I would just concentrate on that when the date got closer.

Instead, I wallowed in self pity. And applied to a million full time hospital jobs.

One week after THAT, I got several phone calls for interviews. Now, let me begin by saying I had been slowly applying to jobs since my graduation in May. So the sudden callbacks startled me. But none the less, I went on those interviews. They were not near my place of residence, but a short day trip away.

I played it cool, told them I had just passed the NAPLEX and didn’t get my testing number yet for law. (I know people fail it all the time, but I’m not giving this information out unless asked directly.) The places I interviewed were great hospitals with an opportunity to train as a new pharmacist graduate. I was excited to learn.

As the interviews ended, I continued to work at my two intern jobs (retail and hospital). I studied law a little each day. When I got the official okay to retake the law exam, I was prepared to take it the next day. I have to admit, when I left the second time, it felt the same as the first time: No idea how I did.

Two days after retaking the law exam, I got a phone call with a job offer from one of the hospitals. Full time. Benefits. I couldn’t believe that my hard work had finally paid off.

The day I accepted the job offer, my law exam score said PASSED.

I remember when I realized that I had failed the law exam the first time taking it, I had paused and thought, “Is this all for a reason? Did I not get a residency and fail this law exam for a reason? Am I just not seeing the big picture?”

2018 has been such a rollercoaster of EXTREME ups and downs. I gave up hope a lot of times. I am grateful for the people in my life (pharmacy and non-pharmacy) to keep the positivity up. The same people, who heard me complain for years, told me that my hard work would some day pay off.

Pharmblr fam, that day for me has come.

Before APPLYING to pharmacy school, I knew that in order to get a job as a hospital or clinical pharmacist I had to get a residency.

After getting into pharmacy school, I worked my ass off in school, at work, during intern experiences, and what felt like every second of my life for four years. As I did not match with a residency program in Phase I (two interviews), Phase II (one interview), nor Scramble (I meant it when I said I would move anywhere for an experience such as residency), I wondered what I missed.

I don’t think I missed anything. I did the best that I could, with what I was given. Maybe there are too many of us (students) applying. Maybe there are not enough residency positions (probably). Maybe I should have added this or that to my CV so I could have more certain skills on paper. Maybe, after listening to current residents speak with such knowledge during my last block of rotation, I am not cut out to do a residency. My clinical preceptors seemed to think I would be great as a pharmacy resident, but I guess it wasn’t my path. Or maybe I will try again next year.

Upon passing the boards, I will be working as a full time pharmacist at my retail job. My hospital job also offered me a per diem position as well just this past week. I am grateful for the chance to gain pharmacy experience while I still look for a full time hospital position. I am considering getting licensed in multiple states to help my chances.

I am thankful for the people in my life (pharmacy or not pharmacy) who have given me advice along the way. I hope that I can continue to enjoy my new career as a pharmacist, and I wish that for any recent pharmacy school graduate as well.