Job satisfaction has been a common illusion to most working class people. People tend to view conventional work activities differently. Hence, some do not get to have as much fulfillment as they anticipated prior to their recruitment. 

Pharmacists are transitioning in droves from retail pharmacy to other roles, such as: hospital pharmacy, industrial pharmacy, public health, and other non-traditional aspects of the profession. Although, already projected to occur by the US Department of Labor Statistics, the heightened stress and burnout occuring due to increased workloads as a result of the pandemic has hastened the process. 

The absence of job security, lack of fulfillment in the role, absence of a clear progression route, and flattened salaries have also contributed to pharmacists leaving the profession. However, many who feel stuck in their current roles simply do not know how to proceed with their exit and usually end up back in a worse position than they were previously. 

The Process of Changing Jobs

Transitioning from one niche, which seems to be a familiar routine and comfort zone, into a rather new or unfamiliar one can seem challenging. The flood of uncertainties could drown any form of attempt to switch to a different career path, especially one in which no mentor may have been identified. 

Possessing the required attributes and skills pertinent to the process is a prerequisite for a successful change. Just as in Tracy’s story shared during one of our webinars on transitioning, these different paths, however, may be key to newfound freedom and bliss. Tracy went from a retail position to a nontraditional clinical role as an emergency medicine pharmacist. This definitely is a new challenge for some pharmacists who do not seem to find their place in their current ventures. It is perfectly okay to try another path. The most important question here will be “how?”

Now, the good news! You do not need to go through the various phases of confusion, second thoughts, and uncertainty ALONE. It goes without saying that mentors are catalysts in growth processes. This is because they most likely have gone through the paths we consider to go through. Therefore, with their experiences, one can draw relevant lessons which can be used to avoid the same mistakes and also receive tips for more effective methods of navigating their journey. 

Time, they say, is money. Sometimes, time could be more than money. Health, also, is said to be wealth. Taking the opportunity cost of doing an unsatisfactory job actually brings the realization that the decision to explore one’s appropriate work environment is one of a lifetime. 

The dilemma for pharmacists while career transitioning is having to give up a better paying position for another with lesser pay in order to feel more fulfilled. The immediate difference in salaries could be supplemented by a freelance role but would also require that an adjustment be made in the management of finances to compensate for the deficiency for a short while. 

What role does coaching play in changing jobs?

Happy PharmD presents you a chance to have your hands held while walking down that unfamiliar road. 

There is a systematic process that could be followed in helping pharmacists move to suitable roles while taking into cognisance their strengths, personalities, and values. A coach would help you walk through these processes till sufficient information is obtained to aid you take up a job that aligns to your skillset. 

You would go through an exploratory phase where deep introspection would be done to arrive at the point of epiphany where everything falls in place. It is at this phase questions you would be asked questions like – Do you really want to practice pharmacy? Do you see a clear career progression in your current role for the next 25 years? Are you willing to make temporary sacrifices for long term gain? These are necessary questions to help you gain the right perspective. 

A role switch may not result in increased salaries immediately but it could give you more time to spend with family, offer a clear career path, job security, grant you job fulfillment, less stress, while also offering other benefits in the short and long term. 

Despite the methodologies applied in the process of getting a new role, serendipity has a role to play and you can end up stumbling upon a role that you would love and turn out to be a perfect fit for you long-term. To some extent, positioning yourself for such experience brings faster opportunities in making life better. 

The goal of the Happy PharmD program is to facilitate the occurrence of serendipity in record time that places pharmacists in more fulfilling roles. It is a trusted methodology that has yielded results with multiple pharmacists over the years and is guaranteed to facilitate the transition process – making it easier, smoother, and in record time. 

The program is enriched with all that is needed to develop needed skills such as innovative thinking, problem-solving skills, flexibility, time management, and people skills that would help you thrive in future roles. The Happy PharmD gives individualised recommendations and phase-by-phase mentorship to every client. 

Transitioning should not be an impulsive process. Your coach needs to consider multiple factors. A step as this should be taken following due cogitation. 

If you would like to get started, schedule a call which will usher you to the start of a new era.