Friday, April 21 marks the end of my fourth week at ASHP. As much of a cliché as it is; “time flies when you’re having fun” truly applies to my experience.
This rotation has been challenging my brain in different ways every week. Talking to staff and members of ASHP with different backgrounds, compiling and analyzing information, and using my creative side to come up with topics for a pharmacy technician podcast are just a few of the things I’ve worked on!
One of the biggest differences between this rotation and a traditional clinical pharmacy rotation, is this rotation’s independence. This may be in part due to the mentoring/precepting style of my preceptor, but I also feel like I have been able to work very autonomously as much as I’ve wanted. By that I mean, my preceptor is there when I need her and has provided projects and guidance for me, but she also allows me to work independently. I am freely able to schedule meetings and interviews with staff, along with and take on new projects. I think this is an incredible opportunity as my last rotation of pharmacy school to prepare me for the more independent work environment I will experience as a PGY-1 pharmacy resident.
I have learned so much about the inner workings of ASHP, from the policy and advocacy side to the planning of the Midyear Clinical Meeting & Exhibition, which we all look forward to as students and residents. Having this experience at ASHP has made me want to become more involved with policy and advocacy, especially on the state level.
I look forward to seeing where my pharmacy career takes me!