“36-year-old female, 27 weeks pregnant with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Resistant to isoniazid, ethionamide, pyrazinamide and rifampin. What can we administer? Additionally, she is an undocumented immigrant with no insurance coverage.

“Yes, the diagnosis code. We cannot bill to Medicare Part B without the diagnosis code on the script.”

“The new shingles vaccine. Do you have it?”

“Only one dose of patiromer was given. The potassium didn’t lower fast enough, so we lost her.”

Caregiver. Problem solver. Advocate. Learner. Educator. Leader. Provider.

Hi all! I am a final-year student pharmacist at Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA. Signing up for APhA–ASP 5 years ago was one of the greatest decisions of my college experience, and I feel so fortunate to serve as your APhA–ASP National President. I became involved in Generation Rx as a first-year pre-pharmacy student. APhA–ASP became my home because it offered me the opportunity to grow as a young professional, serve patients in my community, be a change agent for the profession, and discover my career path. Since then, I have had the privilege to serve APhA–ASP on a local, regional, and national level, and met some of my best friends along the way. My roots are in the small town of Monticello, IA, where I grew up with my parents and four younger siblings. My favorite pastimes with my family include going to church on Saturday evenings, boating at Lake Delhi, and driving cross-country in the RV while blasting Cher and Johnny Cash. I am always on the hunt for the perfect dark roast, and I find my peace in practicing hot yoga and making chocolate chip pancakes.

Welcome back. I, and my colleagues, hope you enjoyed the article on nontraditional avenues of pharmacy practice in the January-February issue of Student Pharmacist. Now, as promised, we have some advice for you about exploring your interests and the profession. 

You are an individual
I have done my due diligence when it comes to really thinking about what makes me happy, regardless of the time, money, or perception of my classmates and peers. That said, just as every patient is different, every pharmacist and student pharmacist is an individual. Some practice settings may be perfect for one individual and awful for the next.  Some may love the economics behind pharmacy, others association management, while others prefer clinical practice.