By "Ami"
I have never felt so included and excited to provide my clinical knowledge to help expedite the patients’ roads to recovery as I did on my recent internal medicine rotation. This was mostly due to the team I was able to work with, the dream team! Each morning (like in many of my other rotations), I had the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary rounds with the medical attending, medical residents, and medical students. This time, it was different. This time, the medical students asked me for insights into medication guides and dosing regimens. This time, the medical residents trusted my recommendations without doubt. This time, the attending asked pointed questions so that I may guide his treatment and monitoring approaches.
I have noticed that many of my peers are struggling with the life and death associated with clinical rotations, but it humbles me. It reminds me that my patients are human, and their loved ones are looking for any signs of hope when they look at me or my team. These interactions with the team, the patients, and the family members motivate me each and every morning to find the evidence-based practices and literature to make the best recommendations for treatment.
This awesome rotation set the stage for December and the 2018 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition in Anaheim, CA.
Postgraduate planning
My senior year of high school, I was set on applying to 7- or 8-year medical programs to study and practice medicine. I had absolutely loved my anatomy and physiology class the year prior and wanted to keep learning about the human body and how I can work with other health professionals to care for patients. One of my cousins visited with his family in fall 2013 and I remember telling him about why I wanted to pursue a degree in health care.
He asked, “Have you considered pharmacy school?” I responded that I didn’t find community practice too exciting and would rather work in a dynamic setting that brings new challenges each day. He stated, “There are more options, you know. You can work in a clinical setting, in nuclear pharmacy, or in the pharmaceutical industry, like me.” My cousin loved his career as a medical science liaison, working and advocating for innovate medications for a rare disease patient population. I was intrigued. Fast forward 5 years and I found myself interviewing for postgraduate fellowship training programs at ASHP Midyear.
I struggled at first because I felt that after almost 4 years of clinical education in pharmacy school, I should probably apply this knowledge, right? I didn’t want to just “throw it away.” Then I realized, I wouldn’t be. No matter which area you pursue, in the pharmaceutical industry or other non-clinical routes, the value of the PharmD is there. If the value doesn’t yet exist, then create the value proposition.
Among the clinical knowledge gained throughout pharmacy school, student pharmacists learn how to evaluate primary literature and research studies to develop plans of care, how to optimize professional relationships with various team members to deliver best practices, how to write scientific articles, case reports, and manuscripts, and how to crucially scrutinize and regulate the drug development process to ensure the most safe and efficacious medications reach the hands of a patient. All these skills prepare not just valuable pharmacists, but also valuable professionals. So, no matter how stuck you are on, “I want to use the skills I learned in pharmacy school, but I also want to pursue something unknown,” give yourself the opportunity to try something new in an area you’re interested in. I did.
And 11 positions, 24 interviews, and 11 receptions later, I wrapped up the Midyear process with a nice pat on the back. I left Anaheim knowing that I put my best foot forward and whatever happens, happens. I may not have prepared as much as my counterparts—I definitely did not do enough mock interviews—but I stuck true to myself, my experiences, and my calling.
Now I wait.
For our Preceptor Feedback author
While preparing for my interviews and putting my best foot forward, I hit a snag. Throughout pharmacy school, an emphasis is placed on developing our CV and resumes, cover letters, business cards, LinkedIn profiles, and more. But what about our minds and our perceptions? How should student pharmacists approach the post-graduation employment process? How can we best gauge which programs, people, and work environments are best suited for our needs? What are some key questions to ask when sitting across the table from an interviewer or speaking with representatives at career fairs? What are the key phrases or words that should ring warning bells in our heads?How do we empower future pharmacists now?
That’s all for now! Wishing everyone a fantastic 2019 ahead!