My journey into the world of pharmacy
I was first introduced to the world of pharmacy during my transition year in school. During the transition year, we were sent out on blocks of work experience throughout the year. I ended up with a gap that needed to be filled and we were so desperate that my mam marched into the local community pharmacy and borderline begged for them to take me for a few weeks. I went to the pharmacy every Tuesday for the best part of twelve weeks, got offered a job and the rest was history. I had no previous experience and didn’t really know what a pharmacist did, but I soon grew close with the staff there and found a passion for the job. Fast forward three years and I was packing my bag to move to Aberdeen to study at the university that my boss had gone to himself! I’m so grateful for the opportunity he gave me to kick-start my pharmacy career; he will forever be a mentor to me.
Before coming to university, I was so sure that I was going to work in community pharmacy. It wasn’t until my stage 3 hospital placement that I first understood what hospital pharmacy entailed. Within the week I was hooked and counting down the days to my foundation training year when I could finally go back. I loved the mix of quick thinking and having time to sit and research something when needed. I have a particular interest in polypharmacy, and I hope to expand upon this during my foundation training year in NHS GGC later this year.
I started university in 2020, smack bang in the middle of lockdown, and as a result, I did the entirety of my first year at home in Dublin. It was quite isolating and at times it felt like I was the only person doing the course. I was so excited when I finally got to move to Aberdeen in 2021 and get to meet people, go to classes, and do a couple of labs. The third and fourth year were slightly less carefree as things got intense quite quickly and time seemed to fly by. If I could change anything I would have had us be in a lockdown-free world where we all got to settle into university life properly before things got too crazy!
Advice for first-year pharmacy students
I think that it is so important for first years to get involved with things, especially the PharmSoc. Each year it gets bigger and bigger (this year RGU took in 200 students) and it becomes increasingly difficult to make friends. The PharmSoc is such a great place to start as you are guaranteed to make some pharmacy friends. Not to plug it but we plan some great events, and it is a fantastic opportunity to make connections with your year group as well as other year groups.
I also think that first-year students should become members of the PDA. Membership is free and gives you support a number of key benefits that will support you on your journey to become a qualified pharmacist and then throughout your career. Also, actively seek to be involved in things. University is not like school as there is no one to sit and watch you to make sure you do your work. You have to take initiative and plan your own time, as well as seek opportunities to learn and build your skills outside of class. It is a scary concept to get used to but once you do I promise that it’s worth it! Lastly, try not to hide away, doing work the whole year. There is no time in your life that is quite like university and most people don’t realise how good it is until it is coming to an end, me included.
Always keep on top of your work but it is important to also find time to prioritise your mental health and wellbeing and find a healthy work-life balance so also save time for relaxing and doing something fun. Life is too short to spend your whole life in the library!
The Pharmacy Student Leadership Award
I was awarded the Pharmacy Student Leadership Award due to my work as Vice President of the Robert Gordon University (RGU) Pharmacy Society (PharmSoc). I have been involved with the society since I was in my second year and have developed my role over time. I started as the social media lead and was slowly convinced to take on the responsible role of Vice President this year. It was scary to suddenly be making decisions about the things that I used to just post about on Instagram! I have really enjoyed my role this year and dived in with potentially too much enthusiasm. I am proud of the work that we have done this year and hope that next year’s committee can build on the foundations we’ve set.
I was so honoured to be awarded the Pharmacy Student Leadership Award and gutted that I wasn’t able to make the ceremony. A big thank you to Chris for accepting the award on my behalf and doing me proud with his speech! Thanks as well to the PharmSoc representatives who were there on the night to give me the whole lay down. Hopefully, I will be able to make it next year.
By Maeve Joyce, pharmacy student and winner of the Student Leadership category of the 2023 Scottish Healthcare Awards
Each year, the PDA sponsors the Student Leadership category of the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish Healthcare Awards
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- Winners of the Scottish Healthcare Awards 2023 announced
- Learn more about the benefits of FREE PDA student membership
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Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
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