Hospital Beds: 50 to 99 (United States)

I have graduated from an ASHP accredited Pharmacy Technology program. I work in the hospital setting and am SC State Certified. If I had not gone to school I would not be SC Certified. These certifications (SC and PTCB) have improved my salary a lot. Just by moving from GA where my education wasn't valued to SC where is qualifies me for SC Cert I saw an 18% raise in my salary. Please do your research though because techs are underpaid but I love my job in the hospital. Retail jobs do not pay well, there is no over time or shift differentials. You have more expensive benefits in retail payroll deductions also. I believe for a career you need to get into a good hospital position. I get higher pay, cheaper benefits, shift differentials, lots of overtime, and guaranteed raises each year. Plus in the hospital there is no cash register, drive thru, or customers to deal with. I worked retail part time from 2003 to 2006 and full time from 2008 to 2010. I worked hospital part time from Sept 09 to Jan 2010 then went full time in Jan 2010. I am much happier now.

Nursing appears to be a very territorial profession and sadly, many compete for the favor of our doctors. If you ever have a preceptor who takes more smoke breaks than work assignments, ask to be re-assigned (forget about hurt feelings) your livelihood is on the line.

When switching from one department to another; when asked, be carefull how you portray the old department.

I am from the North, so I was in for a shock when I moved South. They have minimal employment rights here in North Carolina; even their Labor Laws says the employer can treat the employee "as they see fit." According to their laws, a dog is better off! In addition to this, I am realizing as other employees talk, more and more employees are making more money than me (a dollar and more) yet some were hired after me. The also have only a few years experience while I have eighteen years experience. This would never slide in the North. However, down here, there is some type of gag law where if you discuss your salary it is cause for immediate dismissal. Isn't this against First Amendment as well as Fourteenth Amendment Rights and Equal Pay for Equal Work rights? My salary as far as payscale.com states, is not even on the Richter Scale and is lower than the lowest marked on the scale. What is my recourse other than moving back North where people have rights?

My advice for anyone that's in the nursing field and looking to do better for their family moving up north is the key to sucess. I have been in Norfolk, VA for 9 and a half years and this is the worst-paying city I have ever lived in. I have even tried jobs outside of my field, and still the same ol pay.