1. Own up to your mistakes.
We all make mistakes, it’s part of being a human. However, if you make a mistake, own up to it. The one guaranteed way to make a bad situation worse is to try and cover it up
2. Be honest with yourself.
Be honest with yourself. If you don’t know (and there will be much you don’t!) ask those who do. Learn quickly that the answer lies in a team approach to everything – no one person has all the skills.
3. Know why you do things.
When you’re following an SOP or other guidance, make sure you know WHY it does what it does. Don’t slavishly follow because then you won’t be able to apply that knowledge to new circumstances. “Knowing” an SOP doesn’t mean memorising it; it means understanding it.
4. Be kind.
Today was start of YOUR journey, personal to you & your experiences. There will be opportunities to carve the career that you want. Aspire to be the pharmacist you would want to care for you & your family. Never forget compassion & kindness
5. Take lunch.
Stand up for yourself with integrity — you are the responsible pharmacist and you are accountable. Take advice but don’t do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. Go to the toilet when you need to, drink your tea before it goes cold, insist on a lunch break.
6. Make friends with the right people.
If you’re working in hospital, make friends with the ward clerks. Contrary to popular belief they are actually the most influential person on the ward. Don’t get on their wrong side!
7. Bring biscuits.
If it’s illegal or immoral don’t do it!! And always remember that the dispensary belongs to the technicians — it is only on loan to you!! Oh and bring biscuits!!
8. Learn from errors.
Embrace your first mistake. 15 years on you’ll still be learning from it.
9. More haste, less speed.
There will be days where you feel up against it. Take a step back and work out what is most urgent and important and take things one task at a time. Don’t be afraid to make people have to wait occasionally, safety is more important than speed!
10. Network network network.
Network network network — a few mins having a friendly chat with a doctors receptionist, nurse manager or delivery driver will pay dividends when you need a helping hand in the future.
11. Take your time.
Take your time, ask questions, be curious, don’t underestimate your abilities, record your CPD as you go, put the patient at the centre of what you do. Embrace your career as there are so many great opportunities for pharmacists.
12. Put yourself in their shoes.
Put yourself in the patient or carer’s shoes for a moment. Really listen to them before you respond, show your humanity as well as your professional knowledge
13. Don’t be afraid to check something.
If you’re not sure about something, don’t be afraid to say so and that you need to check. Do more listening than speaking. Don’t get rushed, my favourite phrase — I have one speed, and that’s ‘safe’.
14. Go home on time.
1. Try to see pt, read notes and check results *before* looking at the drug chart
2. Don’t be afraid to ask ward based staff questions
3. Take a break + debrief with peers
4. Go home on time
15. Keep learning.
-Can’t stress the value of peer support! Share experiences, discuss work & ask for help: throughout your career!
-You don’t have to know it all now- the learning continues!
-Communicate well with your team, they are invaluable!
-Put patients’ wellbeing & safety first!
