Does you state ASHP affiliate have a New Practitioners Forum? Until this year, neither did Alabama!
This year, for the first time, the Alabama Society of Health System Pharmacists (AlSHP) has established a New Practitioners Forum (NPF). The NPF has been very active so far. We are offering 3 hours of programming directed toward the needs of new practitioners at our fall meeting. Programming includes a talk on the Affordable Care Act from Alabama Medicaid Director Kelli Littlejohn, RPh, a residency and job search survival panel featuring a mix of new and experienced practitioners, and a clinical pearls session which will feature 6 new practitioners giving short presentations on innovative clinical services and clinical controversies.
Following the meeting, the AlSHP NPF leadership will work with the AlSHP board to increase participation of new practitioners by offering reduced membership dues, targeted programming, and networking opportunities.
Perhaps the best part of all is that the idea to start the forum and to provide programming was championed by a new practitioner!
So if your state doesn't have a NPF, step up! Ask the executive board if they are interested in starting a NPF, and, of course, that YOU will lead the effort! Now is the time for new practitioners to increase awareness of our needs at every level--national, state and local. The professional truly does have Great Expectations of new practitioners and we are ready to meet the challenge!