My Declaration of Independence: Quitting Retail Pharmacy
I quit! After 3 years as a retail pharmacist, I have finally freed myself of this hell otherwise known as retail pharmacy. This is my Declaration of Independence!
Okay, that was a bit dramatic, although I did cry when I called my manager that I would be putting in my 2 weeks and quitting retail pharmacy.
As I reflect on these past three years, there were some good and some bad moments (see here, here, and here), but I will always be grateful for retail for being there for me when I truly needed it.
When I was jobless, stranded on the other side of the country after graduating from pharmacy school, trying to get a job before my student loan payments were due, retail pharmacy swooped in like a knight in shining armor, ready to offer me a job back in my hometown.
When I got laid off from my contract position, retail pharmacy, like a dear old frenemy was there to welcome me back with open arms.
Lastly, I cannot undermine the cushy six-figure salary it offered me these last three years. I was able to finally splurge (with reasonable means) on purchases that I had been holding off. I was able to go on my first international vacation. I could dine out a couple times a week without feeling guilty.
To be honest, I never thought I would last as long as I did as a retail pharmacist. After my first rotation in pharmacy school at a chain pharmacy, I vowed I would never become a retail pharmacist. Of course that all changed when I was desperately looking for a job as a new grad with no residency training. Needless to say, options were quite limited.
My thought changed to, “let’s make it one year in retail, get the experience to put on your resume, then get out.” But no matter how much I tried, I always found myself back in retail. Before I knew it, two years had passed, then three.
Retail pharmacy always felt like a safety net to me. I never wanted to lay in it forever, but it always provided the comfort and security when I most needed it.
Doubts on Quitting
When I received the interview offer for my new job, I was ecstatic. I was sure that if an offer came, I would accept. But when the offer did finally come, my head was filled with doubt.
Was it too good to be true? Was I setting myself up for disappointment? Did I really hate retail pharmacy? Would my new job actually be better than my current job? What if my new job laid me off?
At that point, I was a staff pharmacist at a moderate-volume store with coworkers that I actually liked and a manager who equally shared weekend and closing shifts which in the retail world is the closest thing to finding a unicorn.
The truth is, I was growing complacent. But I knew that if I didn’t leave now, next thing I know, it’ll be 5 years, then 10 years down the road and by then I may never have the opportunity to get out.
Slowly I started to resolve all the doubts I had. Was it too good to be true? No, in fact, I would be taking a slight pay cut by switching to this industry. Did I really hate retail pharmacy? I don’t hate retail pharmacy anymore, but I always say it’s not where I see myself in the future so it’s time to make that future the present.
Was I setting myself up for disappointment? Would my new job actually be better than my current job? What if my new job laid me off? These are all still possibilities, but you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
There are always going to be some aspects of retail pharmacy that I will miss. I am going to miss the sense of camaraderie of working so closely together with my team. I am going to miss seeing my regulars that I have gotten to know over the years.
What I’m not going to miss though is trying to compete with some arbitrary metric goal while juggling to not make any life-threatening mistakes or dealing with that customer that just ruins the rest of my day.
I would have never gotten my new job without my experience in retail pharmacy and I certainly would not have been able to climb out of my six-figure debt and into a six-figure net worth so I will always have a special place in my heart for my career as a retail pharmacist.
But all I can say is that this Thanksgiving, I am so thankful that the stars have finally aligned, the hard work has finally paid off, and that I am starting this new chapter in my life in a new field that I am actually excited about.
12 thoughts on “My Declaration of Independence: Quitting Retail Pharmacy”
Congratulations!!!
You sound so relieved and so happy…I am so very happy for you. I am also inspired. This, “The truth is, I was growing complacent,” hit really close to home. Not for the perspective of being overpaid (cause I’m underpaid) but from the perspective of I’ve stopped looking for better (more) because I’ve gotten comfortable with where I am.
Congratulations again!
Thanks Ms Afro Penny! 🙂 I felt the same exact way before I applied and switched jobs. I was comfortable where I was and didn’t want to waste my nights searching and applying for a new job. But it was worth it in the end!
I just ran across your blog posts and was truly inspired by all of them. Thank you for being transparent and honest as you share your experiences. I am currently in my second year of pharmacy school and I felt the same way about retail pharmacy. My rotation at a chain pharmacy was one of my most stressful experiences and I was waiting until the day I got it over with – I finally did. I previously had independent pharmacy experience; however, it was low volume and slow-paced compared to the retail pharmacy I interned at. I reached a point in my life where I am contemplating whether I should change paths or not, but like you said, every field has its pros and cons. I chose pharmacy for the same reasons you did and I also feel like I would never do retail, yet I have a feeling I probably will go through the same thing. I don’t have any hospital experience, though I feel like I would enjoy working alongside an interdisciplinary team and going on rounds with physicians. However, residency has its pros and cons as well, not only is it competitive to get into but I’m also not even guaranteed a job after. I will have my loans and interest accumulating since we don’t get paid much in residency. My main fear is that I won’t be able to adjust in a retail setting like you did. I see myself in a peaceful, stress-free environment, dealing more with healthcare professionals rather than rude patients, and being respected at all times. I have experienced many rude and disrespectful encounters in retail, it was ridiculous. I hated the fast-paced environment, although I did like my pharmacy team. I’m also not sure if I will be able to “manage” my team well. What were some ways you found useful in helping you adjust to the retail setting, especially since pharmacy school doesn’t really prepare us for that other than the rotations. I am certain that newly graduates won’t be able to remember years worth of material from pharmacy school, but I do know that with practice and exposure things get better. How did you handle making mistakes or adjusting in the beginning, did you ever feel like you did not have what it takes to succeed in retail pharmacy? One of my biggest concerns is that I will not be good enough to become a leader and always making mistakes due to the high volume and fast-paced environment.
Thanks for reading the blog 🙂 I remember being a second year pharmacy student and feeling the same way you did. So just know you’re not alone in feeling like you’ll never “make it”.
I’d say my number one tip especially on your first year as a retail pharmacist (if you do go that route), is to respect your team especially your pharmacy techs.
It really goes a long way to treat your techs and cashiers with kindness rather than just people you have to “manage”. I learned a great deal from them especially in managing workflow which is definitely an important aspect of succeeding in retail pharmacy that pharmacy school doesn’t teach you.
I won’t sugarcoat it for you so I will be honest and say that even 3 years in, there were days when I still feel like I’m not competent enough. But I will say that each day gets better. You will learn as you go and you will gain more confidence each day.
That is still a bit in the future though so as a 2nd year, my suggestion for you now is to start gaining experience if you are apprehensive about adjusting as a retail pharmacist in the future. So if you can, I’d apply to become an intern at one of the chain pharmacies while you are still at school.
You were right to leave once your debt was paid down- many of my colleagues from pharmacy school got into retail and the “Golden Handcuffs:” the high salary that kept them unhappily trapped for 35+ years. Best of luck in your new chapter!
Thank you for the support Marie! I know exactly what you mean by the “Golden Handcuffs”. I’ve seen a couple of my friends from pharmacy school fall right into the trap of lifestyle inflation and now can’t get out. I’m trying to keep myself grounded as much as I can and avoid lifestyle creep though I have to admit it is quite hard.
Your blog is really awesome to read! Out of curiosity, are you planning on still remaining in the medical field or are you going for something totally different?
I’ve been working at a small midwest chain in a small city. It’s a friendly well staffed pharmacy but I’ve always felt that something was missing. I’m planning on leaving at the end of this year and going for something more “interventional” like a PA or an NP!
Your blog is awesome and it has given me great insight!
Hi John, thanks for reading the blog 🙂
I do plan on staying in the medical field, specifically my new job has me still working as a pharmacist. So far I am enjoying the work I’m doing so I plan on staying in the field for the foreseeable future.
I really admire your courage in deciding to go for a career. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision to make. Wishing you the best in your career change!
I am so happy for you! If you don’t mind me asking, what position did you transition into? I have been applying to various job openings for pharmacist positions for the past 2 years in an effort to transition out of retail pharmacy, but I have not had much luck. Do you have any advice with the best way to transition out? The market is so competitive so I am happy to see that there is a fellow retail pharmacist who has been able to get out. Gives me hope! Best of luck to you with your new job!
Thanks Kathy 🙂 I am working in the PBM field now. I took a contract position right out of pharmacy school at a PBM which didn’t last but definitely gave me the experience to put on my resume for my current position.
I agree, the market is so competitive now, even full time retail positions are getting harder to come by.
My advice is, if given the opportunity to get your foot in the door through a contract position, I would take it. It’s less than ideal especially if you are already a full time, staff RPh, but I think it’s worth the risk if you really want to get out of retail.
Good luck with your job search. Don’t get discouraged!
Hi there, I’m a high school student thinking of going to pharmacy school in Canada. Your blogs really inspired me but also gave me some worries haha.
I don’t think I’ll change my mind all of a sudden and go for a different university choice, but I think I’m now more aware of the market thanks to your blogs and I’m going to be more open-minded about my career choices.
I’m interested in learning about medicine and I love learning about human biology, but I’m currently struggling a little with biochemistry and I’m SUPER ANXIOUS EVERY SINGLE DAY about calculus.
I was wondering if you had any study tips for me (especially calculus!) throughout this year and years to come. Do you learn calculus in Pharmacy school too?
Thank you
Hi soomsoom,
I’ll be perfectly honest with you, calculus was never my strong suit. But luckily for us, I’m happy to tell you that you don’t need to use calculus in pharmacy school!
However, you may still need it as a requirement for your undergraduate degree before pharmacy school and you’ll certainly need it to pass high school so don’t slack quite yet 🙂
I found that when I struggled with calculus, going back to the basics really helped. Having a good foundation of the basics was the key for me. Once I understood the basics, I was able to build up an understanding of the more complex concepts.
So my biggest tip is don’t just disregard concepts that you don’t understand before moving on. Really understand each concept before going to the next one. Good luck!