Pharmacy
is increasingly growing into a thriving business, and with "multi-tasking"
the buzz word of the new millennium, more expectations and a higher
workload are being placed on the everyday employee. Pharmacies seem
to have more space dedicated to non-pharmacy specific items, as
they become convenient "mini-marts".
Could all of these things be contributing factors?
Recently,
while speaking to other graduates about how they were enjoying
their new careers, the most common response was related to the
amount of money they were making, and the issues they had with
long hours.
Yes, it is nice to get paid (remembering that the university students
had been through four or sometimes more years at university, without
large wads of cash), and the move from sixteen hours per week
to forty plus hours may make people a little tired.
There seemed to be a keen lack of interest in clinical interventions,
and there was a seemingly large gap between university knowledge
and a grasp of what goes on in the real world.
It drained many.
Another
common catch phrase amongst the group was:
"I can't wait until I finish this pre-registration period
is over, so I can do some real pharmacy work".
Such
a phrase is devoid of passion, and will only lead to an empty
career.
The mundane tasks are only the platform to a greater pharmacy
education.
It is unfortunate that enthusiasm is lacking amongst people beginning
their career.
NOTE:
Further to my last piece on "Rural Education Headaches".
The graduates from Darwin had a last minute reprieve from having
to attend the conference day, for which they were very grateful.
One of the readers of I2P was kind enough to forward details of
CPE scholarships available through the Pharmacy Guild of Australia,
which allow pharmacists to attend CPE events (including the registration
day).
Furthermore,
one of the issues which I had not thought through, was brought
to my attention during the day.
Rural pharmacy graduates go from being in contact with friends
and colleagues everyday to relative isolation from their pharmacy
friends.
It was put to us all that it is nice to "network" with
our friends, and to catch up with others in the game. This is
why face to face CPE is actively encouraged.
Back
to E-Magazine Front Page
Other
Articles by This Writer
|
.jpg)
