Guess who's back, back to school?

[popkin16]

Me! I'm going back to school :) I had to take out a loan and I'm stressing about the payments (mostly because money stuff already gives me anxiety) but I'm going for my certification to be a pharmacy tech.

We're really busy at work these days. Maybe we catch a break at the end of the month because people are out of money (and food stamps), but it's not a guarantee. And then I found out that pretty much all my good co-workers are leaving the night shift, leaving me with the less-than-stellar workers. I don't want to work twice as hard to get half as much done, and then have my boss yell about it. I thought about moving to a different department, but there are some managers I don't want to work for, some jobs I don't want to do, and it left me with very limited options.

I'm kind of hoping the frustration I feel at work when things are going to shit - which is often - will be good motivation for me to stick with it. I was always better at English and History in school, and this requires science classes.

Of course, my managers are aware we're losing all our good workers and have been asking me who I want on my team and telling me about all of these much needed changes they're making, but I've already taken out the loan and signed up for the classes. I'll need a job while going to school anyway, so I might as well stick with the one I have. And there's no guarantee I'll get a job in a pharmacy after - if there are no nearby job positions, I'll just stick with the job I have. But it'll give me options, which is good.

It's 100% online, go-at-your-own-pace. I keep forgetting that bit; I have to pay off the loan in 12 months, so my brain is like, "You've got to finish classes in 12 months too!" but that's not really true lol.

We'll see how it goes~

Comments

Yes!

[squidgiepdx]

This is awesome news! Congrats! There is a dearth of pharmacy techs right now. I get a couple notices a week. And one of the big chains was offering sign on bonuses.

Retail will be "easier" and that's where most people start. But once you get into the job, you could move into a hospital, where there's better pay, more opportunities, and growth.

Wait. You DO know that I'm a pharmacy tech by trade, right? We really need to talk!

Re: Yes!

[popkin16]

I had no idea there was a dearth of pharmacy techs! That makes me feel even more excited for this field lol. And sign-on bonuses - it'd be nice to make more money.

Retail will be "easier" and that's where most people start. But once you get into the job, you could move into a hospital, where there's better pay, more opportunities, and growth.
I was definitely thinking I'd at least start in retail. I already work for Walmart, and I was kind of hoping to get into one of their pharmacies - I already have insurance through them, and my 401k - but moving into a hospital is The Dream 😂 I'm just worried there's more demand for jobs than an actual supply of them, here.

Wait. You DO know that I'm a pharmacy tech by trade, right? We really need to talk!
I.......did not!!! OH MY GOD. We really do need to talk!!

Re: Yes!

[melagan]

*twirls you*

That's fantastic. More options are always good, and I have no doubt you'll be great at it.

Re: Yes!

[popkin16]

Thank youuu :D I'm really hoping it turns out to be worth it - I think it will, though :)

[goddess47]

Woot! Good for you!

We're here for you, so lean into us on bad days and when you need moral support. Let us know what we can do to help!

*twirls you*

[popkin16]

Thanks! So far it's just a lot of memorization of new medical terms, but I may end up venting to everyone 😂 I really appreciate your offer of help, and I'll take you up on it when I need it ♥

[juniperberry]

Oh yay! Good on you for going for something better! And triple good for going with an actual goal in mind!

Here's hoping your classes are good and manageable and your loan is pay-off-able! And that getting a job in your field is easy and relatively painless!

[popkin16]

Thank you so much! I hope for all those things too, especially the loan being pay-off-able 😂

[juniperberry]

As someone who has a frightening amount of debt for her fancy and thus far useless pieces of paper--yeah, definitely hope the loan is easy to manage and pay off! And pharmacy tech is a necessary job, you'll make a fabulous one! ♥ ♥

[popkin16]

Thank you so much 🥺😍 I wish you all the luck in paying your school debt off too!

[timespirt]

Congratulations hon. Don't worry about not being able to get a job at a pharmacy after because they are always looking for pharmacy help in all the pharmacies. I'm sure you will do very well and get better pay too. Who knows, you may become a pharmacist one day.

"HUGS"

[popkin16]

Thank you so much bb ♥ I admit being unable to find a job is a concern for me, but since I don't plan on quitting my current one until I have a new one set up, it's keeping the anxiety controllable. I really appreciate your encouraging words!

*HUGS*

[timespirt]

Sending you much luck and hoping you reach your dreams. I know you can do this.

"HUGS"

[popkin16]

Thank you 🥺 *HUGS*

[mific]

Go you! That sounds like an excellent plan!

[popkin16]

Thank you! I'm excited and nervous in equal measure~

[elayna]

It sounds like a good plan! I hope the schooling goes well.

[popkin16]

Thank you! I hope so too lol. Fingers crossed!

[logicgunn]

This is very exciting! And I know it's nerve-wracking, but I am sure it will be just fine. :) Congrats. xx

[popkin16]

Thank you so much ♥ I'm more worried about paying back the money than anything else, at this point, but I always have money anxiety. Everything else...well, it still makes me nervous, but less so. I appreciate your support!

[tamsin]

Best of luck to you! Working towards having more options is a smart idea.

[popkin16]

Thank you so much :D Options are good, we like options *grins*

[brumeier]

That's an awesome plan! I'm glad you're giving yourself options and looking to better things. If you need any moral support, just hit me up. I give great pep talks!

[popkin16]

Thank you! I may DM you for a pep talk every now and then. I'll definitely need it, especially when it's time for me to take an exam s;ja

[brumeier]

Just checking in to see how things are going!

[popkin16]

Thank you for checking in ♥ I'm....doing ok. I've fallen behind on the schedule I set for my schoolwork because of my new work position. I'm so anxious all the time - I've gotten used to being good at my job and knowing how to do it, that being in a place where I'm learning has really upset my equilibrium. And some stuff happened at work that made me even MORE anxious... But I'm getting there :D

I really need to buckle down on schoolwork though. I'm so far behind...but when I get home from work I'm so mentally exhausted because I'm focused so hard on learning and memorizing lol.

[brumeier]

It's hard to balance work and school - they both take up so much of your time. Especially when the job stuff is new. ::hugs:: Hang in there, my friend. Have you made a schedule for yourself to maximize your time for schoolwork? (LOL at me suggesting time management!)

[popkin16]

I usually try to do my schoolwork - or at least the reading portion of it - on my days off. I'll read the chapters, and then spend the rest of the week trying to memorize all the new terms they've thrown at me. Unfortunately, I'm focusing so hard at work learning new stuff that by the time my days off roll around I'm so mentally tired that I just...haven't been doing anything. But I'm going to try and get back on the homework horse today!

[brumeier]

Having to learn two new things simultaneously is tricky for sure. Your poor brain must be exhausted. ::hugs::

Have you been able to settle into a workable rhythm yet?

[popkin16]

I've been sent for special training last week - and I'm doing it again this week - but it means really long days, so I still haven't found a balance. But I *am* thinking that I'll try and do a half-hour every night kind of thing? It's not much time, but I also need time to let my brain rest, and it's better than not making any advancement at all in my school.

[brumeier]

I haven't checked in with you for a while. How are things going?

[popkin16]

Good! I'm settling into my role, finally. There are still times where I'm unsure about things, but they're becoming more rare. I wouldn't say it's smooth sailing but I'm at least on gravel road lol.

[danceswithgary]

Good for you!

[popkin16]

Thank you ♥!

[runpunkrun]

Congratulations, pop! And it looks like squidgie can provide you with all the hot pharmacy tech goss, too!!

[popkin16]

Thank you! Squidgie being able to provide me with hot pharmacy goss is a definitely plus 😂

[esteefee]

brilliant choice! I know you will kick ass, my friend. Rodney would have a field day mocking you as a voodoo doctor but you're the first person he'd come running to when he mashed his finger in the spectrophotometer. :D

[popkin16]

Thank you 🥺 I hope to kick all the ass. LOL So true. It's all voodoo and witch doctoring until he needs us; luckily my time in retail means I have experience dealing with Rodney types!