Three Ways for Pharmacists to Engage Student Pharmacists with the Practice Advancement Initiative (PAI)
Laura Nice, Pharm.D. Candidate 2018, Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
Chances are you interact with student pharmacists at some level in your career, whether you are in academia, serve as a preceptor, or see student pharmacists at professional organization meetings. As a fourth year student pharmacist at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), I have been very fortunate to have wonderful mentors who have helped develop my interest in pharmacy practice advancement. Here are three things that I have found most helpful during my pharmacy school career:
Include student pharmacists on state affiliate efforts. Connect with Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP) chapters in your state and empower student pharmacists to contribute. Not only are you providing student pharmacists with professional development opportunities and educating them on important issues, but student pharmacists can help with your initiatives and are many times eager to get involved. I have been fortunate to attend school in Ohio, where the Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacists includes student pharmacists in many efforts, including committee work, outreach, event planning, and meetings. For example, NEOMED joins efforts with a local area chapter to host a Joint Jurisprudence Event on our campus every November. This event provides an opportunity for student pharmacists to present posters to local pharmacists during a poster session and to attend a law CE, all the while spending valuable time networking with pharmacists in the area.
Take time to discuss PAI. Student pharmacists spend much of their time learning the details of pharmacy, from mechanisms of action to patient counseling skills. What may be overlooked is how pharmacy practice is transforming and all of the opportunities that are soon to come our way. The conversations I’ve had with pharmacists sharing their stories and explaining why advancing pharmacy practice is a priority have helped shape my understanding of PAI and the future of our profession. If you’re a preceptor, consider leading topic discussions with student pharmacists on rotation about the PAI pillars. You could also volunteer to speak at your local College of Pharmacy to educate student pharmacists on why PAI is a national initiative and how they can contribute. Even those brief conversations where you share current events, explain how to access ASHP’s PAI resources, or describe where pharmacy practice is heading could jumpstart a student pharmacist’s passion for advancing pharmacy practice.
Set an example of innovation. “Don’t just think outside of the box; think as if the box doesn’t exist.” These words of wisdom have been shared and demonstrated by my mentors and have set a foundation of growth mindset for my career. The pharmacists I have learned the most from are the change-agent leaders who exude positive energy, commitment, and genuine enthusiasm. I have watched these pharmacists accomplish extraordinary feats, including driving the passage of legislation, developing patient care services, and publishing books. Instilling the ideals of PAI creates an environment for student pharmacists to develop a passion for the profession and to become forward-thinkers.