I don’t work in healthcare anymore, but I did.
That’s right. You were at the pharmacy.
That’s just the easiest thing to talk about. Because everybody knows what that is. Everybody can picture what it would have been like for me to work there. Because everybody’s been to a pharmacy.
Was it stressful at the pharmacy?
Yes and no. The pharmacists themselves had the most stressful responsibilities. I was merely the assistant.
What was it like being the assistant?
It was alright. I’m very grateful to the one I worked for. They paid for me to get the certificate. Not every place is that generous.
Oh? I didn’t know about that.
I think a lot of people hesitate to do more schooling because they’re trying to make money just to survive. But if they can have a job that’s paying them and paying them to get that relevant qualification at the same time, they’re very grateful. They usually stay loyal to that company, or at least, that industry. Usually, this happens in Australia in professions like pharmacy assistant, dental assistant, etc. Because they’re so needed, and you — the employer — might as well pay for them to get that qualification.
But you left the pharmacy.
That’s why I said “usually” — even though I left, the qualification was 100% relevant during all the hours I was working there.
LOL… why did you leave?
I didn’t like standing on my feet for 12-hour shifts.
12 hours? At the pharmacy?
Yes. There are often 12-hour shifts at a pharmacy. It can be draining. Many end up wearing compression socks, like flight attendants. It’s a lot of time on your feet.
I really didn’t know this about you.
Now you know it.
…
What else happened at the pharmacy? It’s been so long now… surely, you can talk about it, a little bit?
Yes. I can think of a few things that I can share. I used to take people’s blood pressure for them. I would help some people, sometimes, with their bandages. Often people would ask for advice about sunscreen — and, of course, I had my other qualification that I could give advice about as well.
You were multi-tasking.
I had a lot of tasks to do simultaneously. I’m glad I experienced that in my 20s. I think it would be a lot, now, at my age… and beyond… full respect to the ladies and gents who are still in it, every day.
Full respect.
Virgo Sun Pisces Moon 