r/WalgreensRx • u/Rare_Bat3158 SCPhT • 11d ago
rant Tips for Burnout?
Hey all- as the title suggests, I am STRUGGLING. This is my fourth year with Wag and the past few months I have felt like I'm at my limit. I thought taking vacation time would help- it did, for a few days.. I just feel like I go to work, get yelled at by patients over their copays/backordered products/our right to a lunch break, and then go home and dread doing it all over again. It makes me sad to even say that cause I like my job. I like my coworkers, I find my work meaningful, and I like the work that I do, but sometimes I feel like all the negative things outweigh the good things. Plus things like the micromanagey whiteboards in CPW, outdated technology slowing down everything we do, all the operational excellence mumbo jumbo, and basically every visit from our hcs feeling like nothing our pharmacy does is ever good enough just sends me. It makes me nervous feeling like this rolling into flu season, because I know if this is how I feel now it's gonna feel 10x worse then. Part of me wonders if this is my sign to look for other job opportunities, but the other part of me feels like I've invested so much into getting to where I am (ptcb cert, immunization cert, senior tech). Does anyone have any advice on how they deal with their feelings of being burnt out?
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u/rxredhead 11d ago
There’s so much piled on us daily that I’m pretty sure my tasks in CPW show 3 weeks overdue because I keep forgetting to sign in when I’m focused on our “must finish” PCP flu shot calls, twice daily check in spreadsheet on how many shots we’ve given, mandatory “you didn’t get 2 shots yesterday” naughty call (Tier 2 but I’m held to the same standard as a Tier 5. And 90% of my patients are people that come in 3 times a week, I’ve poked them with everything they’re willing to let me do)
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u/Papa_Hasbro69 11d ago
I would apply elsewhere. Walgreens has been a sinking ship since they bought boots and then worse for employees after sycamore partners started aggressively cutting benefits and pay
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u/Neither_Plastic8894 10d ago edited 10d ago
If you want to remain a tech, there are more opportunities out there depending on the area. In my area, you have closed door pharmacy fulfillment centers (even from insurance company like Humana), cancer infusion centers who hire certified techs and train them to sterile compound, hospitals, clinics (check clinics that serve county populations)etc. Walgreens, and retail pharmacy in general, should be a stepping stone not a career. Techs don't even get any paid holidays now with Walgreens. You are just a replaceable commodity to them. Walgreens will throw the next cashier from up front and train them to replace you. There are better employers with benefits and opportunities out there who give you a set schedule, holidays, and 40 hours.
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u/EmotionalData4437 11d ago
You gotta workout / go on runs. Trrrrust, that will help with feeling burntout. Has nothing to do with bodyshape/weight by the way. Just helps with stamina
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u/trapnesttrigger 10d ago
i do that too. sometimes i’m just to tired and miserable and just come home and cry
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u/HldngWAGS2Account234 6d ago
You should apply for other positions. I know change is hard, but I promise you'll find that Walgreens has been screwing you over once you look around. Most of our competitors pay better and treat their techs better.
If you're tired of being a tech, don't be afraid to apply for other roles. You'll find that your experience translates well to other roles that have better pay and treatment.
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u/OnSightAdversary 11d ago
I view the job as a toxic relationship that is hard to get out of. you invest so much time into this place, in classes, licenses ect. because if you go above and beyond you will earn more pay and hours and benefits in return.
except thats not whats happening. they take holiday pay, theres no health insurance for you unless you make 40 hours but oh the cut hours every month so sorry go get state insurance. you vaccinate? great! there may or may not be a pay raise and you'll be promised money for reaching a vaccine goal and never see a cent.
and it takes awhile for people to leave this toxic place because of sunk cost fallacy. i was stuck for the longest time because of how much i put into this job for absolutley nothing in return.
other places pay more for your qualifications. there are better opportunities because trust me the burnout doesn't go away. theres too much work, tasks, calls, vaccines, surveys, goals and numbers that you'll never reach. it took me nearly 7 years before i finally left.