Where have I been? Every time I say I'll post more, I disappear. There's a lot to catch up on.
My internship at another pharmacy went well. They didn't really have me do much more than I do at my other pharmacy. I did get to use the computer a little bit though, so that helped. But what was interesting is that someone tried to pass a fake prescription off on us and we got to call the cops! It was quite obvious that the script was fake.
My pharmacy hasn't been too eventful lately, or at least nothing I can remember at the moment.
Target has been sketchy as usual. After 4 months at that store, they FINALLY tell me to talk to the Target pharmacy manager to see about working over there. Thaaaaaaanks...
And returns are in full effect. People get bitchier and bitchier the further we move away from Christmas. And as usual, people are complete assholes if something doesn't go their way. Sometimes I can't help but just smile when people are going into their tirades about returns. Good gravy there are a lot of immature people in this world.
On Sunday, it was just crazy at Guest Service. Of course I was the only one scheduled up there even though it was the first fucking weekend after Christmas, it's going to be busy! They had another cashier up there helping me, but as soon as there weren't any guests in line, they pulled her even though I had to catch up by filling carts with all the shit up at Guest Service. There was a good 2 hour block where we couldn't do anything but help people at GS. Therefore it was a fucking mess.
Then the closing person came in early and she was a bit overbearing. She was bossing me and the other girl around like her shit didn't stink. Thankfully she stopped as I was about to bitch her out. I know what I'm fucking doing thank you very much. We had a few minor arguments over little things, but we dealt. I just hate when people treat me like I don't know anything without knowing anything about me.
Well, I suppose that's enough bitching for now. Happy New Year!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Not Much New Here
I haven't been working all that often recently because it's finals week, but I am done with my first semester of pharmacy college! Now I'll just have to wait for the grades to roll in... I should be fine. A's and B's like always. ;) Haha!
I did work at the pharmacy on Saturday but it was SO COLD that we didn't do much. I pretty much cleaned the whole time. The pharmacist let me go at 3:15. From 9am to 3:15pm, the pharmacy did 34 prescriptions. Eek!
I am interning in my hometown over break for school. I'm kinda nervous for that too. We have to do 28 hours total, and we could either choose to do it as a block (3.5 days) over winter break, or 4 hours a week for 7 weeks during next semester. The less I have to worry about during school the better!
Here's hoping my grades are good! (The only one I'm "concerned" about is BioChem)
I did work at the pharmacy on Saturday but it was SO COLD that we didn't do much. I pretty much cleaned the whole time. The pharmacist let me go at 3:15. From 9am to 3:15pm, the pharmacy did 34 prescriptions. Eek!
I am interning in my hometown over break for school. I'm kinda nervous for that too. We have to do 28 hours total, and we could either choose to do it as a block (3.5 days) over winter break, or 4 hours a week for 7 weeks during next semester. The less I have to worry about during school the better!
Here's hoping my grades are good! (The only one I'm "concerned" about is BioChem)
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Rx: An Introduction
So you all know I work at Target, and I've mentioned I work at a different pharmacy, but never really went into it. Well, here goes:
I'm in my first year of the pharmacy program at my university, and to help with school, they recommend working at a pharmacy. It helps you learn things. So I have my internship license, and I applied for a job as an "intern" at a local pharmacy. Needless to say, I got the job.
I had never worked in a pharmacy before so everything was brand new to me. At the moment, all I do is count pills, answer phones, assist customers (or patients, at least they aren't "guests"), and do whatever else needs to be done. But on the ladder of things, the intern is below the pharm tech, as they really should be.
Everyone there seems to like me, but I don't know where I stand. I know, and so do they, that I am there to learn, but some days I can't help feeling that I'm just in the way. They haven't shown me how to do everything that they expect me to know, and so when I do it for the first few times and make a mistake, I always feel like I'm going to get fired. I'm usually a quick learner, but I guess things just take a few times to actually know. And because I don't work all that often or do the specific task all that often, it just isn't in the forefront of my brain.
And only there is when I feel like I'm going deaf. On the phone, when patients call in for refills, they give their name and prescription number or drug name. I don't know if it's the phone, the person, or me, but sometimes I have to ask for their name again, and for some people that is like the end of the world. I'm sure I'll get used to it as I go, but it's just frustrating.
Then you throw in the actual patients/customers. Some are not a fan of me by the way some of them treat me. Again, I don't know if they are just cranky or whatever. I've already been yelled at by some.
One ladies' meds were supposed to be mailed out, but were put in the wrong group (for delivery) and because she spoke to me originally, she yelled at me for not getting it in time. Granted, not my fault, but still made me feel like shit.
Or the guy who brought in a script and I gave it to the pharmacist to enter (they haven't shown me how to do anything with the computer) and because there was nothing else to do (it was dead and we already did everything that could be done) I just stood there. The guy said to the pharmacist, "Does he do anything at all?" The pharmacist explained, and I'm sure the guy was just crabby, but still, it made me feel like shit.
And I'm not one to have thin skin. 5 years in retail behind the returns counter toughens you up. I think things just get to me more because I'm not fully confident in what I do at the pharmacy. At Target, I know pretty much everything that has to do with Guest Service. At the pharmacy, I don't know a lot of things.
It also goes back to the whole idea that people have that employees of whatever place of business are ok to treat like crap. It's sad to see how someone could be so vicious to a total stranger.
But there are nice people too. People do like to talk with everyone and are truly interested in what you have to say. Also, when I was taking a phone call, they needed a pharmacist and asked if I was one, I told them, no that I was just an intern, and she said I shouldn't say "just" because I was "getting there." So that was nice.
I guess all I want is an understanding that I am a human too, and I'm still learning. I will make mistakes and continue to do so, but empathy always helps. It's a two-way street.
I'm in my first year of the pharmacy program at my university, and to help with school, they recommend working at a pharmacy. It helps you learn things. So I have my internship license, and I applied for a job as an "intern" at a local pharmacy. Needless to say, I got the job.
I had never worked in a pharmacy before so everything was brand new to me. At the moment, all I do is count pills, answer phones, assist customers (or patients, at least they aren't "guests"), and do whatever else needs to be done. But on the ladder of things, the intern is below the pharm tech, as they really should be.
Everyone there seems to like me, but I don't know where I stand. I know, and so do they, that I am there to learn, but some days I can't help feeling that I'm just in the way. They haven't shown me how to do everything that they expect me to know, and so when I do it for the first few times and make a mistake, I always feel like I'm going to get fired. I'm usually a quick learner, but I guess things just take a few times to actually know. And because I don't work all that often or do the specific task all that often, it just isn't in the forefront of my brain.
And only there is when I feel like I'm going deaf. On the phone, when patients call in for refills, they give their name and prescription number or drug name. I don't know if it's the phone, the person, or me, but sometimes I have to ask for their name again, and for some people that is like the end of the world. I'm sure I'll get used to it as I go, but it's just frustrating.
Then you throw in the actual patients/customers. Some are not a fan of me by the way some of them treat me. Again, I don't know if they are just cranky or whatever. I've already been yelled at by some.
One ladies' meds were supposed to be mailed out, but were put in the wrong group (for delivery) and because she spoke to me originally, she yelled at me for not getting it in time. Granted, not my fault, but still made me feel like shit.
Or the guy who brought in a script and I gave it to the pharmacist to enter (they haven't shown me how to do anything with the computer) and because there was nothing else to do (it was dead and we already did everything that could be done) I just stood there. The guy said to the pharmacist, "Does he do anything at all?" The pharmacist explained, and I'm sure the guy was just crabby, but still, it made me feel like shit.
And I'm not one to have thin skin. 5 years in retail behind the returns counter toughens you up. I think things just get to me more because I'm not fully confident in what I do at the pharmacy. At Target, I know pretty much everything that has to do with Guest Service. At the pharmacy, I don't know a lot of things.
It also goes back to the whole idea that people have that employees of whatever place of business are ok to treat like crap. It's sad to see how someone could be so vicious to a total stranger.
But there are nice people too. People do like to talk with everyone and are truly interested in what you have to say. Also, when I was taking a phone call, they needed a pharmacist and asked if I was one, I told them, no that I was just an intern, and she said I shouldn't say "just" because I was "getting there." So that was nice.
I guess all I want is an understanding that I am a human too, and I'm still learning. I will make mistakes and continue to do so, but empathy always helps. It's a two-way street.
Something New
I changed my web address as I'm planning on getting away from just Target posts. Since I've changed it, the links some may have here won't work anymore. If you come across this (which I don't see how anyone could find me now that I've changed it) the new address is http://retailrobot.blogspot.com.
So, I'm expanding my base. I'm sure one could get tired of my endless bitching about Target, so now you'll get my endless bitching on all my jobs. I'm pretty sure I'll always be in retail, so retail robot works.
Well, that's my update. Comment if you were able to find this place ok.
So, I'm expanding my base. I'm sure one could get tired of my endless bitching about Target, so now you'll get my endless bitching on all my jobs. I'm pretty sure I'll always be in retail, so retail robot works.
Well, that's my update. Comment if you were able to find this place ok.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Sick of Battling
I'm tired of constantly trying to get into the pharmacy. There is always a hurdle. Either that or my dumbass (not just saying that because I'm angry) has to be told 15 million times to check on something for me.
And now what really pisses me off is:
My manager was at my old store to help, and she thanked that Store Team Lead for all the great transfers, specifically mentioning my friend, but not me. And because I know people in that store still, it got back to me. So now I feel like I'm (still) underappreciated. Some days, I hold that store together. I am pretty confident that I am the only person in the store that can do cashier, guest service, photo lab, cart attend, Food Ave, and salesfloor. And do I get recognized for it? Nope!
I don't know how long I can stay there if I'm doing the same thing day in and day out. I'll keep asking, but we'll see what other excuses they can come up with for the time being.
I'm going to start thinking up some smartass comments for my exit survey and what to put on the 'Reason for Leaving' line...
Time will only tell if I need to use it.
I could always change this into my pharmacy blog. Hmm...
And now what really pisses me off is:
My manager was at my old store to help, and she thanked that Store Team Lead for all the great transfers, specifically mentioning my friend, but not me. And because I know people in that store still, it got back to me. So now I feel like I'm (still) underappreciated. Some days, I hold that store together. I am pretty confident that I am the only person in the store that can do cashier, guest service, photo lab, cart attend, Food Ave, and salesfloor. And do I get recognized for it? Nope!
I don't know how long I can stay there if I'm doing the same thing day in and day out. I'll keep asking, but we'll see what other excuses they can come up with for the time being.
I'm going to start thinking up some smartass comments for my exit survey and what to put on the 'Reason for Leaving' line...
Time will only tell if I need to use it.
I could always change this into my pharmacy blog. Hmm...
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Shitastic Weekend
This past weekend was a bit much for me.
Friday, I was about to fucking explode. So I was scheduled 6:30-10 as a cashier. Well, I get to work and was informed that the Food Ave person called in sick, so the cart attendant was over there, and guess who got to be the cart attendant? Me of course! Because I was expecting to only cashier, I didn't bring anything with me so I could cart attend comfortably. Now, it's pretty cold here, with highs in the 40s. I just had a spring jacket, no gloves, no hat, and no winter coat. I was cold. Really cold. But I went out to the lot and got carts.
For one, there should be a sign up that states, "Any garbage left in a cart will be thrown into your vehicle as carts are not garbage cans." The garbage I found in carts, mostly half empty Icees, were thrown on the ground because I was not going to spill all over myself bringing it to the garbage. I'm not a janitor.
One would assume that since I've never been officially trained as a CA that they would tell me what needs to be done, other than getting carts. Well needless to say, they were bitching at me for not doing something that I didn't know that needed to get done. I'll be the first to admit that I am not a mind reader. So I had to empty garbages. Am I a custodian? (Target DOES have an overnight CLEANING crew, by the way) Then I had to take back garbages, and fill pop coolers, which is something that Coke or Pepsi does. I was pretty behind as I didn't know what needed to get done, and instead of telling me, they yelled at me for not doing them. Great business practice. After the CA got done with Food Ave, he resumed his position. Thank god. Although he wasn't too happy with me because I was so behind. Whatever.
Then on Saturday was my 2 hour pharmacy shift. That flew by, although it was fun to "shadow" over there.
Sunday was 9-4:30 at Guest Service. My manager was working and she asked me what I thought about the pharmacy, and I told her I liked it and would be interested in working more over there. At that moment, it being about 3 months since I've started, that I would need that state's intern licensure. Thanks for not telling me sooner! I knew that if I wanted to intern over there I would need that, but I didn't know if there was another position that I could do over there. Apparently not. So I will see how much it costs to get an intern licensure in that state, and if I decide to go through with it, I better get a majority of my shifts over there because I don't want to pay extra so that I can work over there, and not be able to. That would be my quitting point. And then I wouldn't even be able to use it.
But there's more drama! Since they overlapped me on Black Friday and the following Saturday, I asked her what time I should be coming in. She told me that she put 6 on Fri and 5 on Sat, the exact time I get done at my other job. So I tell her that wouldn't work, and before I can finish what I was going to say, she freaks out on me and just tells me she just put a time and that I could come as soon as I could. Don't bitch at me because you had my pharmacy schedule for this weekend back in October. Plus, she said she updated it in the system, but she didn't tell my supervisors because they still had me down for the incorrect times, and the last thing I need that day is to get a call saying I'm late. So I told them I'd be there ~45 minutes after I go done at my other job.
And up at Guest Service, my eyes aren't really out watching the lanes. 1) It's not my job. 2) I could care less.
So when the store got really busy, but GS was dead. My evil bitch manager yells at me from a lane to come grab some people and ring them up at GS. I didn't even respond, I just went and grabbed someone. I hate her. Not because she made me work, but because she was being a snotty little brat.
So between my 2 jobs (because Target overlapped me after they said they wouldn't) I work a total of 32.5 hours in 3 days. Fun, huh? Needless to say, I'm sure I will be a complete asshole this weekend. But I am going to bring my winter gear because I will probably cart attend.
I would really hate to leave the company over their bullshit, but that's all that's coming out of it right now. Plus, I doubt Target would care if I left now if I ever did want to come back as a pharmacist. People are dying for pharmacists right now, so I'm sure they would still love to have me...
I don't think I can take much more as a cashier/service desk/cart attendant/photo lab/salesfloor slave for much longer.
Stay tuned!
***UPDATE!***
It costs $20 to register in the other state. Not bad, but it has to be after my second year, which makes me wonder how the other person in my class is able to pull it off. I have plenty of questions now, and even closer to just dropping Target like a bad habit.
Friday, I was about to fucking explode. So I was scheduled 6:30-10 as a cashier. Well, I get to work and was informed that the Food Ave person called in sick, so the cart attendant was over there, and guess who got to be the cart attendant? Me of course! Because I was expecting to only cashier, I didn't bring anything with me so I could cart attend comfortably. Now, it's pretty cold here, with highs in the 40s. I just had a spring jacket, no gloves, no hat, and no winter coat. I was cold. Really cold. But I went out to the lot and got carts.
For one, there should be a sign up that states, "Any garbage left in a cart will be thrown into your vehicle as carts are not garbage cans." The garbage I found in carts, mostly half empty Icees, were thrown on the ground because I was not going to spill all over myself bringing it to the garbage. I'm not a janitor.
One would assume that since I've never been officially trained as a CA that they would tell me what needs to be done, other than getting carts. Well needless to say, they were bitching at me for not doing something that I didn't know that needed to get done. I'll be the first to admit that I am not a mind reader. So I had to empty garbages. Am I a custodian? (Target DOES have an overnight CLEANING crew, by the way) Then I had to take back garbages, and fill pop coolers, which is something that Coke or Pepsi does. I was pretty behind as I didn't know what needed to get done, and instead of telling me, they yelled at me for not doing them. Great business practice. After the CA got done with Food Ave, he resumed his position. Thank god. Although he wasn't too happy with me because I was so behind. Whatever.
Then on Saturday was my 2 hour pharmacy shift. That flew by, although it was fun to "shadow" over there.
Sunday was 9-4:30 at Guest Service. My manager was working and she asked me what I thought about the pharmacy, and I told her I liked it and would be interested in working more over there. At that moment, it being about 3 months since I've started, that I would need that state's intern licensure. Thanks for not telling me sooner! I knew that if I wanted to intern over there I would need that, but I didn't know if there was another position that I could do over there. Apparently not. So I will see how much it costs to get an intern licensure in that state, and if I decide to go through with it, I better get a majority of my shifts over there because I don't want to pay extra so that I can work over there, and not be able to. That would be my quitting point. And then I wouldn't even be able to use it.
But there's more drama! Since they overlapped me on Black Friday and the following Saturday, I asked her what time I should be coming in. She told me that she put 6 on Fri and 5 on Sat, the exact time I get done at my other job. So I tell her that wouldn't work, and before I can finish what I was going to say, she freaks out on me and just tells me she just put a time and that I could come as soon as I could. Don't bitch at me because you had my pharmacy schedule for this weekend back in October. Plus, she said she updated it in the system, but she didn't tell my supervisors because they still had me down for the incorrect times, and the last thing I need that day is to get a call saying I'm late. So I told them I'd be there ~45 minutes after I go done at my other job.
And up at Guest Service, my eyes aren't really out watching the lanes. 1) It's not my job. 2) I could care less.
So when the store got really busy, but GS was dead. My evil bitch manager yells at me from a lane to come grab some people and ring them up at GS. I didn't even respond, I just went and grabbed someone. I hate her. Not because she made me work, but because she was being a snotty little brat.
So between my 2 jobs (because Target overlapped me after they said they wouldn't) I work a total of 32.5 hours in 3 days. Fun, huh? Needless to say, I'm sure I will be a complete asshole this weekend. But I am going to bring my winter gear because I will probably cart attend.
I would really hate to leave the company over their bullshit, but that's all that's coming out of it right now. Plus, I doubt Target would care if I left now if I ever did want to come back as a pharmacist. People are dying for pharmacists right now, so I'm sure they would still love to have me...
I don't think I can take much more as a cashier/service desk/cart attendant/photo lab/salesfloor slave for much longer.
Stay tuned!
***UPDATE!***
It costs $20 to register in the other state. Not bad, but it has to be after my second year, which makes me wonder how the other person in my class is able to pull it off. I have plenty of questions now, and even closer to just dropping Target like a bad habit.
Friday, November 16, 2007
The Cycle Continues
So as much bitching as I have been doing to get into the pharmacy, they finally give me a shift over there. ONE shift so far, and guess how long it is... 2 fucking hours. Two hours? That's really not even worth it. So I work 10-12 in the pharmacy tomorrow, but I haven't had another pharmacy shift scheduled yet, but they sure love to load me up on the cashier ones. Fuck.
And I don't know if I have already written it here, but someone in my class transferred to the Target store I'm at, and guess where he gets all of his shifts. The pharmacy. Yep, thank you Target for stabbing me in the back. They continually told me that once there was an opening in the pharmacy, that I could have some shifts over there, yet when someone else transfers there, they apparently don't have to wait.
To make me even more pissed, they scheduled me outside of my availability for Black Friday and the following Saturday. I turned in my availability for the whole month of November in October. They knew I work every Friday 1-6 and every other Saturday 9-5 at the other pharmacy, yet they scheduled me 3-11 on Friday and 3:30-11 on Saturday. I wrote a note to the LOD, and I'm letting her fix it. I just don't want to be running from one place to the next. Especially when they said they won't overlap me on Saturdays that I work at the other pharmacy.
Guests haven't been too bad lately, although I am seeing more and more Canadians. I literally cannot stand how some of them act.
Well, I work tonight 6:30-10 cashiering after working 1-6 at the pharmacy, so I have no time to eat. AT ALL. Then tomorrow is my super long 2 hour pharmacy shift, and Sunday I work Guest Service from 9-4:30. This store is getting on my last nerve.
And I don't know if I have already written it here, but someone in my class transferred to the Target store I'm at, and guess where he gets all of his shifts. The pharmacy. Yep, thank you Target for stabbing me in the back. They continually told me that once there was an opening in the pharmacy, that I could have some shifts over there, yet when someone else transfers there, they apparently don't have to wait.
To make me even more pissed, they scheduled me outside of my availability for Black Friday and the following Saturday. I turned in my availability for the whole month of November in October. They knew I work every Friday 1-6 and every other Saturday 9-5 at the other pharmacy, yet they scheduled me 3-11 on Friday and 3:30-11 on Saturday. I wrote a note to the LOD, and I'm letting her fix it. I just don't want to be running from one place to the next. Especially when they said they won't overlap me on Saturdays that I work at the other pharmacy.
Guests haven't been too bad lately, although I am seeing more and more Canadians. I literally cannot stand how some of them act.
Well, I work tonight 6:30-10 cashiering after working 1-6 at the pharmacy, so I have no time to eat. AT ALL. Then tomorrow is my super long 2 hour pharmacy shift, and Sunday I work Guest Service from 9-4:30. This store is getting on my last nerve.
Monday, November 05, 2007
5 Years
Today, I "celebrate" my 5 year anniversary working for Target. Oh boy.
I never thought I would be there that long, and had no intentions of staying this long either. It was back in 2002 that I was hired for seasonal. I was in high school and needed a job. Now I am in college (still), but I can say for sure that if I do make it to 10 years (shudder), I will be done with school by then. If I am still at Target at that time, I'll be a Target pharmacist!
Looking back at my 5 years, I mainly see how great most of the people were that I worked with. I'm still friends with many of them, even though they may not work for Target any longer. I also remember back when I first started how much fun it was to work there. There are still fun days now, but back in the day, it seemed like everyday was a fun one.
I'm definitely a different person now than I was walking into this job, and I'd like to think I've changed for the better. I've seen how awful some people treat total strangers and I can take that with me to know how not to treat people in the "real" world. If people want to have a good grasp on the many different varieties of people in society, working retail will get you that.
Sure, there were bad times. Times where it seemed like it was 'too much' to deal with. Times where it felt like people were put on this Earth to test my sanity. Well, I'm still here, and I continue to be. The only thing that got me through everything that happened at my store were my friends/co-workers. We all seemed to be on the same page, and everyone would listen and understand. It's what brought us together, complaining about something. ;) Even on the worst days, you could count on your co-workers to brighten your day. I hope when I'm out in the "real world" that I can find friends that are even half as awesome as my Target friends. I know that I'll be friends for life with my current Target friends, although it does feel like I "left" them to pursue my own goals. But, that's another topic.
So, as much as I bitch and moan about working there, it isn't half bad. The job may suck at times, but it's the people that make it worth it.
I know it's a bit sappy, but whatever. ;)
I never thought I would be there that long, and had no intentions of staying this long either. It was back in 2002 that I was hired for seasonal. I was in high school and needed a job. Now I am in college (still), but I can say for sure that if I do make it to 10 years (shudder), I will be done with school by then. If I am still at Target at that time, I'll be a Target pharmacist!
Looking back at my 5 years, I mainly see how great most of the people were that I worked with. I'm still friends with many of them, even though they may not work for Target any longer. I also remember back when I first started how much fun it was to work there. There are still fun days now, but back in the day, it seemed like everyday was a fun one.
I'm definitely a different person now than I was walking into this job, and I'd like to think I've changed for the better. I've seen how awful some people treat total strangers and I can take that with me to know how not to treat people in the "real" world. If people want to have a good grasp on the many different varieties of people in society, working retail will get you that.
Sure, there were bad times. Times where it seemed like it was 'too much' to deal with. Times where it felt like people were put on this Earth to test my sanity. Well, I'm still here, and I continue to be. The only thing that got me through everything that happened at my store were my friends/co-workers. We all seemed to be on the same page, and everyone would listen and understand. It's what brought us together, complaining about something. ;) Even on the worst days, you could count on your co-workers to brighten your day. I hope when I'm out in the "real world" that I can find friends that are even half as awesome as my Target friends. I know that I'll be friends for life with my current Target friends, although it does feel like I "left" them to pursue my own goals. But, that's another topic.
So, as much as I bitch and moan about working there, it isn't half bad. The job may suck at times, but it's the people that make it worth it.
I know it's a bit sappy, but whatever. ;)
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