Category: Student resources

Navigating “the balance” while transitioning from university to dispensary 

Posted on | by Bayleigh S

As a self-proclaimed workaholic juggling two jobs and filling my spare time with work-related projects, I feel both the least and most qualified person to write about maintaining a “work-life balance.” For me, work is my life.

 

The transition from university student to workforce is a significant step for any profession. However, for those in healthcare, this transition is especially profound. Moving straight from the classroom to the dispensary can feel like taking off training wheels without anyone to catch you. You now have people relying on your expertise and judgement to make real-life decisions that can have a meaningful impact on real people’s lives. Often, you make these decisions independently and alone.

 

Initially, I really felt and internalised this pressure. Making critical choices throughout the day left me with decision fatigue. Knowing I couldn’t fully help everyone as best as I would like was a humbling realisation. Perfection is often unattainable in an underemployed, under-resourced public health sector. I would often take this stress home with me and ruminate on it.

 

As a student, I was ready to start work – eager and keen to work the 9 to 5. “I’ll have so much more free time!” I thought, since I wouldn’t have to attend lectures, study for hours at night, or bear the guilt of not studying when I was doing something I enjoyed. Oh, how wrong I was!

 

As much as I loved transitioning to work – loved the patients and my team – it’s important to realise the value of disconnecting and acceptance. I am a bit of a perfectionist (as I believe most pharmacists are!), and it’s hard to settle with “just good enough,” especially when we want the best for our patients. The reality is, you also need to protect your inner peace. Chasing perfectionism leads to burnout, which ultimately reduces the value and empathy you can bring to your patients.

 

To maintain a sense of balance, I lean on others for help and support—people are more willing to help than you may realise. I often felt like I had to do everything myself to seem like a “good” pharmacist, but I have found that “good” pharmacists are great at delegation and teamwork. Reach out and take advice from others to brainstorm solutions to problems you’re facing; chances are they’ve encountered similar situations. This reduces stress and burden on your plate while also giving someone else the opportunity to contribute to something new. Remember, this goes both ways: if you’re willing to help others succeed, they’re much more willing to help you.

 

This bleeds into the topic of communication. Open and honest communication with managers and colleagues about your capacity and comfort level is crucial. A good and supportive manager will always strive to make the workload manageable for you.

 

I take walks sometimes during my break just to breathe. Your nervous system can get so worked up without you even realising it. So, stop, relax your shoulders and jaw, and breathe. I know you may not feel like you can, but please, take your breaks! You are literally legally entitled to them. I know this may feel impossible as a pharmacist, but no one will die if you take 10 minutes off to eat your lunch. Work fills the time you give it, and if you don’t put that boundary in place, you’ll never eat lunch again.

 

I know this may not seem like the most helpful guide on “dealing with work-life balance while transitioning to the workforce,” because, to tell you the truth, I still haven’t figured that out yet. However, I feel less stress and pressure from myself to make my work “perfect” all the time. Aiming for the “best I can do” with the resources I have has been the best mindset shift I’ve made in terms of keeping the balance. University cultivates ideas of perfection—aiming to get the highest score in a test by selecting the perfect answer. But real life is messy, stressful, and far from perfection. The transition into the workforce is tough, but once you find your rhythm, I promise it can be energising and fulfilling.

Regards,
Ella Shearing 
 

What can I do with my pharmacy degree?

Posted on | by Bayleigh S

Are you thinking of studying pharmacy? Or are you already in the middle of your degree still wondering what you can do after you graduate? Fortunately, a pharmacy degree in Australia can lead to various career paths within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Some common jobs are outlined below!

Community Pharmacist

As the most common pharmacy role in Australia, these pharmacists are especially important in being first points of contact to the public. They are primarily involved with long-term management and supply of medications to patients, however their knowledge spans multiple areas: they must be skilled in diagnosing common ailments, recognising referral points, and recommending treatments available without a prescription. They are also responsible for overseeing dispensing medications, counselling on the safe and effective use of medications, and offering general health advice. Other services that can be offered are vaccination services, travel health recommendations, and compounded medications. 

Locum Pharmacist

If you like the idea of working as a community pharmacist but want more freedom with scheduling shifts, becoming a locum pharmacist may be the perfect pathway for you. They are contractors or “fill in” pharmacists in community pharmacies – so depending on what shifts you take, you could be in pharmacies close to home, travelling all over your state, or maybe even around the country! This role is suited for pharmacists who excel in adapting to new environments, and gives a unique opportunity to broaden your skills and services by having experience in different workplaces. If you would like to know more on locuming, visit locumate.com.au for more practical information.

Hospital Ward Pharmacist

Working in a hospital setting lends itself to typically more complex health problems. This includes communicating with doctors, supplying medications to nurses, and preparing admission and discharge plans to ensure optimal medication therapy. They provide direct patient care, whether it is through participating in patient rounds, creating medication action plans, and assisting in the selection and monitoring of medications. As a highly clinical role, you are guaranteed to learn something new every day!

Academic Pharmacist

There are many roles that can be attributed to include teaching and conducting research, or evaluating the safe use of medications to contribute to the advancement of and integration of pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences. For example, clinical educators in hospitals facilitate education sessions to disseminate the most updated information. Quality Use of Medicines pharmacists oversee pharmacy processes in facilities (usually hospitals) to ensure the safe use and administration of medications. These roles are important in guiding the current and next generation of pharmacists to optimise their practice. 

Industrial Pharmacist

They are responsible for the development, manufacturing, and quality control of medications, as well conducting research and development of new drugs. While this role is not as clinical, extensive knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics is essential. If you have a keen interest in the chemistry behind how medications work, this could be a rewarding career pathway both to advance your own personal knowledge, but also contribute to greater medication research. 

While these are just a few examples, there are still many other career opportunities available to pharmacy graduates in Australia depending on your interests and areas of specialisation. Whether you love talking to patients, you prefer to read through journal articles, or get hands-on with making medications, there is definitely a career pathway for every person after graduation. 

Overcoming Classroom Jitters: Navigating Pharmacy Roleplays

Posted on | by Bayleigh S

Pharmacy school can be a thrilling journey filled with classroom lectures, laboratory work, and clinical experiences. Yet, there’s one aspect of this educational adventure that often strikes fear into the hearts of many students – the dreaded pharmacy roleplays. I remember the first time we were asked to practise our medication counselling and history taking: it was a nerve-wracking experience.

 

While it’s normal to feel nervous, these are some strategies I have used to overcome these anxieties in class to perform the best I can in my assessments:

Preparation is Key: Prepare thoroughly for the roleplay by reviewing relevant material from lectures, tutorials, and workshops. Ask for help from your teachers and your classmates – they may be struggling with the same concepts as you! The more you know beforehand, the more confident you’ll feel in class.

 

Seek Feedback: After the roleplay, ask for constructive feedback from peers and professors. This is especially helpful for communication adjustments, such as the speed in which you are talking and the language that you use. Use this feedback to improve your skills and confidence (and remember not to take it personally).

 

Don’t Fear Failure: Failure can be a stepping stone to improvement, so don’t let it deter you. Shift your mindset from fearing roleplays to seeing them as valuable learning opportunities. Remember that making mistakes is part of the learning process. Plus, it is better to make mistakes in class than in the exam and in real life!

 

Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become. I found it easier to roleplay with my friends outside of class for more practice as it was a more comfortable environment to talk through content without feeling like others were listening.

Pharmacy roleplays may be anxiety-inducing, but they are an essential part of your education. They provide the practical skills and experience necessary for your future career, firstly in internship and then beyond. Overcoming the nervousness associated with roleplays takes time, practice, and a shift in mindset. With determination and a commitment to learning from your experiences, you can navigate these challenges and come out a more confident and capable pharmacy student, ready to take on the world of pharmacy practice!

How do I get involved in Pharmacy outside the classroom?

Posted on | by Bayleigh S

By Isa Bautista (Student Engagement Lead, Locumate & Intern Pharmacist)

As a newly graduated pharmacy student starting my internship in early January, I have found myself reflecting on the last 4 years I have spent at university. I am grateful that my journey has been filled with excitement, challenges, and a continuously growing passion for the field of pharmacy. It has been such a rewarding experience, from the early days in the classroom to the invaluable hands-on training in placements. Besides staying on top of my studies, I have also been involved in numerous extra-curricular activities which have been instrumental in developing my communication skills, leadership roles, and making new connections. If you’re looking for ideas on how else to get involved in the pharmacy community as a student, I have listed all the pharmacy-related activities I have been involved in throughout my time as a student!

Student pharmacist

Having a part-time job as a student pharmacist, especially in a community pharmacy, is perfect to supplement your studies and consolidate the content you learn in class. Additionally, it is the best way to practice your counselling skills which you will use for the rest of your career. An easy way to keep up to date with job ads is by signing up to Locumate/Jobs in Pharmacy!

Pharmacy technician

I had the opportunity to be a pharmacy technician in a private oncology hospital in my final year of study. This role helped me to understand that being a reliable pharmacist is larger than knowing all of your clinical knowledge, but also having a good grasp of how the PBS works, how to navigate medication shortages, and the importance of interdisciplinary care.

Committee member in student association

Getting involved in your university’s pharmacy student association is a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, but also to strengthen your connections with the greater pharmacy industry through helping organise education events, attend sponsor meetings, and advocate for student engagement with the school.

Pharmacy student ambassador

Representing your degree to prospective students alongside other allied health students is a fun way to cultivate interest in the profession. Going to school expos, talking to interested students at Open Days, and making lifelong friendships with the other student ambassadors are experiences I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to do during my time at university.

Tutor

Some universities offer casual positions to high-achieving students as tutors for students in younger years. This is a great way to recall content from previous years to keep it fresh in your mind. It is also fulfilling to know that you are helping others in your field to understand challenging information.

In summary, extracurricular activities in a pharmacy program are not just about balancing your academic pursuits with other interests; they are a means of enriching your education, personal growth, and skill development, ultimately making you a more well-rounded and competitive pharmacy professional after graduation. 

 

Day in the life of Vedrana Djurkovic

Posted on | by Bayleigh S

I am currently writing this piece almost at the end of my intern supervised hours, and studying for my exams. When I was asked to write about a day in my life, I think I screwed my face up and thought “why?” because there is nothing interesting about my life at the moment. I work, eat, study, sleep and repeat. 

 

I work full time in a community pharmacy where I have been since I started my degree. So I am very familiar with the staff, store processes and customers. At work I have been trying to focus on asking as many questions as I can, to best prepare myself for when I graduate and am working on my own. The closer I come to getting my registration, the more I am excited, but also nervous, about the future. I’ve thought about being on my own and not having a support team, pharmacists to check my work, and it can be daunting coming to the realisation that I will be completely responsible for the decisions I make. It’s a huge responsibility, and it surprises me that I didn’t really think about this until now. 

 

Working full time and studying at the same time has been really tough for me. I come home from work and I’m too exhausted to study most nights. I let go of some of my hobbies at the start of my internship because I felt I was struggling to maintain them, and simply did not have the mental capacity to uphold them. However, after checking in with the owner of the pharmacy, she did remind me to think about myself and my mental health. Shortly after realising I was just a big ball of stress, I got back into working out and feeling better about myself. Which, in turn, made me feel more relaxed, and led me to have a clearer head.

 

Most of the year I was trying to keep up with my school work. I study at work by interacting with customers, doctors and involving myself in new situations to further enhance my knowledge and skills. As well as, spending time to sit down with my preceptor every week and go through medicine knowledge. 

 

The most challenging part of my internship thus far, is the pressure. This year felt like you were being punched from every angle at the same time. So many things you need to do, all at once. But my advice would be to stay organised, and write out everything you would like to complete every couple of months and work towards completing these tasks. Most importantly, we do need to be reminded to look after ourselves. We are so focused on finishing our degree, that we can neglect our personal health. I’ve learnt this is so important to maintain balance and without that, we’re unable to show up at our best.