As an independent community pharmacist, you face a lot of pressure each day in your pharmacy. You’re dealing with patients’ demands, employees’ needs and all of the administrative duties that come with running a business. While helping your patients and serving your community makes your job rewarding, the demands you face every day can also make your job stressful.
According to Drug Topics’ 2015 Salary Survey, job stress for pharmacists is increasing. Seventy-two percent of pharmacists surveyed reported an increased workload, and 65 percent of pharmacists reported an increase in stress levels in 2014. On the flip side, however, 73 percent of pharmacists say they’re satisfied with their jobs. You too can go from stressed to satisfied.
Here are some stress management tips to help create job satisfaction for you and your employees.
1. Take a break
While it might seem better to power through a long, busy workday, taking short breaks can actually boost your productivity and help you finish all your tasks quickly. Or, at least the break will help you do a better job on the task than if you hadn’t rested at all.
If you find yourself getting overwhelmed while on the job, try taking a break instead of frantically working through. This will give you time to clear your head and regain your focus, so you aren’t trying to fight off stress while working on something that requires your full attention.
2. Make your work meaningful
While it can be easy to forget the overall purpose of menial tasks, try to keep in mind that everything you do in your pharmacy contributes to helping your patients get and stay healthy. Approaching boring, dreaded tasks with that attitude can help you find meaning in everything you do.
And, try to make sure you’re handling tasks that are enjoyable for you each day. For example, if patient consultations are the most rewarding for you, then try to fit at least one in every day. It might be more work, but if it makes you happier, then it’s worth it.
3. Communicate with your employees
Ask your employees for input on some of the decisions you make as a pharmacy owner or manager. Your employees can help you find solutions you might not see on your own, and allowing them to express their opinions might reveal areas in your pharmacy where you can easily reduce stress.
Encourage your employees to be social, too, both with each other and with your patients. Developing meaningful relationships with those in your workplace can help increase job satisfaction.
4. Empower your employees—and yourself
Help your employees manage their work stress by giving them more control, whether that’s in regard to their schedule, their workstations or their work habits. While it might not be reasonable to allow employees to take long breaks whenever they want, accommodating simple requests such as letting your employees put up pictures at their workstations can go a long way in reducing their overall stress.
Additionally, try to make sure the environment of your pharmacy is conducive to workplace success—for your employees and for yourself. Offer the right training and take advantage of opportunities to continue your own education and to foster that of your employees.
And most importantly, celebrate accomplishments. Place value on what you and your employees do each day by pointing out successes and encouraging them, through celebrations like an employee appreciation day or a staff holiday party.
Give yourself and your employees the right tools to manage stress, and you’ll be well on your way to a workplace full of satisfied employees—and patients.
