5 Key Sections To Include on Your First Pharmacist Resume

Professional Summary

While some people may say a professional summary is outdated, I would beg to differ. A professional summary is a great space to really sell yourself and highlight why you would be amazing for the position. You only have a few sentences to showcase your strengths and desires so choose your words wisely and keep things concise. This is also a great space to thrown in some key words that you found on the job application to better improve your chances of getting pass the AI computer system. 

Organizations

The second category that you should include in your pharmacist resume is a list of organizations that you are (or were) actively a part of during pharmacy school. This is where you want to share how involved you were in each organization and what role that you played. Even if you were just a member, make sure to include it on your list if you actively attended meetings and events hosted by the organization. Feel free to even include organizations or clubs that you were a part of that are unrelated to pharmacy. You never know what may spark a hiring manager’s interests, and it’s a chance to show your future employer that you have other interests and hobbies outside of pharmacy.

For an example, I included in this section my time spent being an active member with the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA). I was the HIV/AIDS Initiative chair for a year before jumping over to be a fundraising committee member. Since I spent the most of my extra time with SNPhA, I wanted to be sure that it was highlighted in my resume. I also included that I am a member of Phi Lambda Sigma since it’s a prestigious honor to be admitted into the pharmacy leadership organization.

Experience (Clinical & Non)

As you can imagine, your related experiences should be the bulk of your resume. Depending on whether or not you worked during pharmacy school, this section may look a different from your fellow peers. In the experience section, you’ll want to highlight both your clinical and non-clinical work experience. Both of the sections should showcase your skills and experience in a way that makes sense for the job that you are applying for.

On my first pharmacist resume, I had a separate section for rotation experiences, another for my work experience, and another for clinical skills competitions. Feel free to only highlight a few rotations instead of sharing your entire rooster; you could also share a cool rotation that you learned a lot from or a specific rotation that you had to apply for. Either way you’ll want to be selective on this section of your resume. 

Presentations and Publications

I know that when I was in pharmacy school, research was highly suggested, and it definitely felt like everyone was a part of a research project at one point or another. If you were one of the lucky ones that decided to give research a try, you should absolutely include that on your resume. Presenting a poster presentation or having an article published in a medical journal is a big achievement that you should not only celebrate in the moment but also highlight on your resume. 

Training and Certificates

Throughout pharmacy school, you’re sure to collect a certificate or two that you’ll want to highlight on your resume. From immunization training to a diabetes certificate, nothing is too small or grand to include in the training and certificate portion of your pharmacist resume. Many pharmacy schools even have funding if you want to gain a particular certificate that isn’t offered at your school. Personally, I was really into compounding during pharmacy school so I used every scholarship possible to gain a ton of compounding certificates through the American College of Apothecaries (ACA).

Make sure to include expiration dates if your certificate has one. This includes any diabetic, immunization, CPR or drug therapy-based trainings that change throughout the years. You’ll want to make sure to keep this section up to date and to remove anything that is expired before submitting your resume.

While this is obviously not an all-inclusive resume guide, I wanted to share the sections that I focused on when I was creating my first pharmacist resume after graduation. I know it can be quite daunting at the beginning, but it gets easier with time and you’ll thank yourself later when you land your first job. For those that are struggling to get started, take a look at the Pharmacist CV Template that is perfect for pharmacists and pharmacy students alike. It’ll give you an easy template where you can plug in all of your info and is ready to use. Lastly, remember to keep the information updated and ready to go at a moment’s notice – you never know when someone will ask for a copy of your resume.

You may also enjoy: How to Land Your First Pharmacist Job and the Student’s Guide to Getting Involved in Research 

The post 5 Key Sections To Include On Your First Pharmacist Resume appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Outside of video content, podcasts have quickly grown to be a huge platform for both entertainment and informational purposes. Even in the healthcare sector, you’ll find plenty of pharmacy-related shows for just about any topic that you’d want. Whether you’re looking for insight on non-traditional roles, financial advice, or even a fun interview with industry leaders, here are 12 pharmacist-led podcasts that you don’t want to miss out on.

Brown Skin Stories: Representing Women Pharmacists 

Dr. Ijeoma Ekeocha, PharmD started her pharmacy journey in 2003 and quickly started her exceptional pharmacy career. From being the first and only non-traditional pharmacy resident at John Hopkins to becoming the lead pharmacist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, you can easily see how much there is to learn from her. Her podcast, Brown Skin Stories, highlights up and coming black women pharmacists.

Their experiences and stories provide value for all pharmacists, especially those thinking about a career change or recent graduates. Brown Skin Stories explores various career paths, transitioning into entrepreneurship, moving up the leadership ladder, and creating one-of-a-kind positions for themselves.

Your Financial Pharmacist

If you’re ready to transform the way you view and handle your personal finances, then you need to bookmark this pharmacy podcast. Created by Tim Ulbrich, PharmD, Tim Church, PharmD, BCACP and Tim Baker, CFP, YFP focuses on empowering and providing pharmacy professionals the tools necessary to take control of their finances in a way that is easy to follow. You’ll find insights on paying off debt, side hustles, student loans, investing, and so much more. YFP is probably one of my favorite healthcare podcasts to listen too plus I love that it’s from a pharmacist’s perspective.

The Burnout Doctor Podcast 

Hosted by Dr. Jessica Louie, PharmD, APh, BCCCP, The Burnout Doctor Podcast focuses on helping pharmacists and other healthcare professionals reset their lives after burnout and get rid of the clutter in their lives. If you struggle with feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and filled with constant stress, then this is the podcast for you. You can find new episodes each week, and you’re sure to walk away with something useful to transform your life.

As a critical care pharmacist, Dr. Louie is no stranger to burnout and working in a high stress environment. In her podcast, she shares her story of transforming her life into one that is simplified and decluttered after learning about the KonMari Method, which she discusses further on the podcast.

The Public Health Pharmacist 

Created by Dr. Christina Madison, the Public Health Pharmacist is a pharmacist-led podcast dedicated to discussing timely issues on public health and keeps the audience informed of any recent events. Many pharmacists have an opportunity to make a difference, and Dr. Madison shows you exactly how important it is to have pharmacists in the public health sector. This podcast is particularly good if you’re interested in making a difference in the community. 

RxRounds 

If you have an interested in learning more about healthcare outside of the US, then the RxRounds may be a great resource for you. Dr. Alandra Mitchell, a Trinidadian pharmacist, started her podcast and website to be a healthcare resource for the Caribbean community. You’ll find that RxRounds provides evidence-based information on overall wellness hoping to inspire and empower West Indians to be a more actively involved in their own healthcare.

The Pharmacist’s Voice

As a weekly, journey-style podcast, the Pharmacist’s Voice is a unique podcast that focuses on sharing Dr. Kim Newlove’s career change to a voice actor as well as highlights other unique pharmacist’s stories. If you’re looking to hear stories from a variety of people, such as entrepreneurs, medical writers, career coaches, and even pharmacists in the military, then you’ll want to add The Pharmacist’s Voice to your listening rotation.

Pharmacy Podcast Network

The Pharmacy Podcast Network was started in March 2009 by Todd Eury, and over the years, the network was grown to encompass over 30+ shows and over 40 different co-hosts. From public health, compounding, law, and so many other options on the PPN website. As the largest network of podcasts dedicated to the pharmacy world, you’re sure to find a podcast that you enjoy and stay up to date on its specific subject matter.

RxRadio

You might have heard about the RxRadio podcasts from their hilarious memes commonly seen on their Instagram account under the same name. Hosted by Dr. Richard Waithe, PharmD, the RxRadio podcasts hopes to inspire pharmacy professionals to take a more innovative approach to healthcare while also getting a good belly laugh in between.

Real Life Pharmacology

Once you graduate from pharmacy school, it gets harder with time to remember every drug detail that you learned in school. The great part about the Real Life Pharmacology, hosted by Dr. Eric Christianson, is that you can get quick refreshers on your way to work if you want too. In 15 minutes or less, you can learn about a drug’s mechanism of action, side effects, drug interactions, and how all of that can affect a patient in real life. I wish I would’ve known about this resource before I took the NAPLEX last year as this would’ve been a great resource to use as a review.

The Elective Rotation

Published every Monday and Thursday morning, Dr. Joseph Muench is the host of the number 1 ranked Hospital Pharmacy podcast titled The Elective Rotation. His podcast provides unbiased, fact-based critical care and hospital pharmacy content. If you’re a pharmacist or pharmacy student looking to expand your knowledge in the critical care or intensive care, then you’ll want to stay updated on the Elective Rotation. Each episode is only a few minutes long, so you’ll only need a few minutes to learn something new from Dr. Muench, a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist.

The Business of Pharmacy 

For those interested in learning more about the business of pharmacy, then this healthcare podcast is the perfect option. The host, Dr. Mike Koelzer, owns his own independent pharmacy in Michigan and shares a very entertaining weekly discussing the behind the scenes of pharmacy. You’ll find episodes covering things such as DEA audits, legislation changes, artificial intelligence use in pharmacies, and so many other topics that most people don’t see.

Life On the Pharm Podcast 

The final pharmacy podcast on this list is one created by Dr. Mehr Virk, a PGY1 acute care pharmacy resident at UC Davis Health. She started this podcast at the beginning of her P4 year as a way to document her life and journey to becoming a clinical pharmacist. This podcast is great for anyone interested in pursuing residency and want more of an insider look of what life is like during residency. While the podcast doesn’t have a set schedule right now (due to I’m sure the demands of the program), it’s definitely one to bookmark!

What’s your favorite healthcare podcast to listen to?

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The post 12 Pharmacist-Run Podcasts that You Aren’t Listening too (But Should Be) appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Whenever I’m going through the job search process, a dedicated LinkedIn tab was always open on my MacBook as I networked and applied for open positions daily. In addition to networking and expanding my career, I also enjoy using LinkedIn to share my own blog posts about pharmacy and work-life balance. It’s a great platform for anyone looking to grow their career and increase their network if you know how to use it appropriately. Instead of spending hours connecting with random people on LinkedIn, here are 8 ways to use LinkedIn more effectively.

Make a compelling and effective profile

This may seem obvious, but your profile is your digital resume 2.0. It’s your profile that tells a recruiter or future colleague everything that they need to know about you professionally, which means that its arguably the most important thing you can improve on LinkedIn.

Two easy ways to improve your profile immediately is to add a professional photo and a banner image. For your professional photo, you’ll want to make your image showcases you at your best. Good lightening, a clear background, and a genuine smile will do wonders for your page. Even adding a banner image that showcases either your passion or profession will help you stand out among the crowd.

Post updates that your audience would appreciate

Build quality relationships within the pharmacy profession starts by being an active contributor and voice in the community. Consider posting relevant content that your network would find useful or valuable. This could include a new study or drug that was released, an engaging story, a quote that resonated with you, and updates on your journey. By being active on the platform, you’ll not only increase your visibility, but you’ll also gain some new friends along the way.

Network

The unique part about LinkedIn is the opportunity that you have to connect and network with people you wouldn’t normally get a chance to. You can connect with industry leaders, potential mentors, and even people with unique career paths. But before you add a ton of random strangers on the platform, try to only connect with people who you have a genuine interest in.

The goal isn’t to have the biggest network on the app. It’s to build a meaningful network that pushes you to grow in your career and to find people that inspire you. To get started, try reaching out to a few people that you’re interested in within the profession and ask them for a virtual coffee date or a quick phone call. You’d be surprised with how much you’ll learn from others, and you might even find a new aspect of pharmacy that you had no idea even existed. I’ve found some really great mentors by doing this!

Use LinkedIn courses to expand your knowledge

A hidden gem that many LinkedIn users miss is the opportunity to take some of the courses that LinkedIn offers on its website. If you take a look, there’s a good mix of both free and paid courses available to expand your knowledge in just about anything you could imagine, such as digital marketing, excel, and even cyber security.  The different courses vary in length, but once completed, those certificates can be added to your profile for everyone to see.

Write an informative summary

Probably the hardest part about perfecting your LinkedIn profile is the part where you have to write a successful and informative summary. It can be hard to narrow down what you should include in your summary while proving your point. Do you include things such as your current role, how long you’ve been there, and where you hope to go?

While there is no right answer, I think it depends on the goal that you have for your summary section. Are you trying to level up in your career or are you happy in your current position? With the summary section, focus on telling your story, what makes you different, where you want to go, and a few fun facts about your life outside of work. I love sharing that I love to travel, blog, and anything pitbull related!

Add rich multimedia

The really nice part about LinkedIn is the ability to make your resume come alive with the addition of multimedia. Under each of your job descriptions, you can opt to add samples of your work. This is such an easy way to use LinkedIn more effectively, but don’t go crazy with this section by adding every project you’ve ever worked on. I would only include the projects or work that you are particularly proud of or that show your work abilities.

For an example, I’ve included some marketing campaigns that I’ve worked on through my blog as well as articles that I’ve been included in. By adding in multimedia to your digital resume, you’ll give the hiring manager or recruiter to see a visual representation of the quality of the work you provide as well as the extent of your skillset.

Ask for recommendations

Similar to multimedia, recommendations provide an additional layer of creditability to your LinkedIn profile. Recommendations are statements or testimony from people you are connected with on LinkedIn that can showcase more about your professional work ethic. It’s a great place for a former boss or co-worker to explain why they enjoyed working with you in detail, such as why you were a great leader or how you improved the team dynamic. Don’t forget that you can also leave recommendations on other people’s profiles, which is a double win-win for you. You get to increase your profile’s visibility and help boost a co-worker’s career too.

Practice consistency

Just like Rome wasn’t built in a day, your network also takes time and consistency to grow. As you get more comfortable being on the platform, create a new habit of checking in once a day to like, comment, and share content from others. If you’re looking to land a new job in the future, you’ll need to be consistent to get noticed by hiring managers and recruiters. While a great profile will help you stand out for sure, the real magic happens when you plug in into the pharmacy community on LinkedIn. Consistency is probably the most important tip or way to use LinkedIn more effectively.

What are some ways that you are using LinkedIn more effectively this year?

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The post How to Use LinkedIn Effectively as a Pharmacist appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

With the competitiveness of the pharmacist job market, it’s so important to learn how to market yourself and showcase your abilities to the hiring team. A skill that is often overlooked in pharmacy school for whatever reason. In this blog post, we’re going to be discussing some tips on how to stand out and land your first pharmacist job after graduation.

Before we dive right into the meat of this post, let’s first clarify that searching for a job is not only time consuming it’s also emotionally and mentally draining. Make sure to take care of yourself during this tiring time with self care and positive enforcements. Finding your first pharmacy job is going to take a lot out of you, but it’ll be so worth it in the long run. 

Practical Tips on Finding Your First Pharmacist Job 

Build Your Professional Network

Have you ever heard the saying, “Your network is your net worth”? Turns out that the saying has a lot of truth in it. Networking should always be in your professional plan because it could be the difference between landing your dream job versus not even knowing your dream job even exists.

The rule of thumb that you should follow when it comes to networking is to start building the relationship and trust with your network before you need to use it. If you have no idea how to grow your network, here are some tips to get started:

Use platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook Groups

These are great places to find like-minded people who share similar interests. The goal with social media is to network with others, share your ideas, and to explore emerging fields within the pharmacy profession. When I was on my job hunt, I was able to connect with other pharmacists that were able to give me career advice and guide me into unique fields that could potentially interests me.  It’s okay to put yourself out there by messaging people that you admire or who have the pharmacy job that you want for advice. Ask for a zoom meeting to take the conversation even deeper!

Continue the conversation

Once you start building your network, don’t leave them high and dry! Just like real life friendships, you’ll want to check in every few months to keep the relationship strong and healthy. Also don’t forget to connect with your former classmates, alumni groups, and even friends who have their own network that you can tap into.

Research Potential Companies

As you’re considering future employment, take time out to learn all that you can about these potential companies. You’ll want to read reviews, learn about the culture, and anything you can find in the media so you won’t be surprised in the future.

Researching your potential employer also allows you the chance to see what the company is about and tailor your resume to fit the type of person they are hoping to employ. You may also want to consider looking up the company on LinkedIn to see if you are connected with anyone who has worked or currently works for the company. If you are connected with someone, reach out to ask some more questions about the company the position.

Reach Out to Recruiters

If you want to get a leg up on the competition, consider networking with a recruiter that either works with the company that you’re interested in or for a staffing company. Recruiters are paid to find the perfect candidate for a role. So if you can showcase to them why you’re a good fit, you’re can usually get an interview with them and increases your chances of moving to the next round.

If you have no idea what to say to a recruiter, here’s an example that you can work from:

Hey (insert name of recruiter),

I’m (insert your name), a pharmacist based in (City, State). I was reaching out because I think I would be a great fit for the (insert job title), and I would love to chat more about the position if possible. Thank you and have a great day!

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

Gather Relevant Experience

As a new pharmacist grad, you’re likely not going to have the years of experience that many entry-level positions require. Don’t get discouraged by this fact! When applying to positions that aren’t looking for new grads, highlight the skills, experiences, and background that you do have that could help you in the position. Employers may be willing to make an exception if they see you as a good fit for the position and for the team.

If you aren’t lucky enough to land your dream job right out of school, don’t be afraid to take a job that isn’t exactly what you were hoping for. The experience of working at any job as a pharmacist is super valuable and will help you in the future to transition into something that you do want. The best time to look for a new job is when you’re already employed at another. So think about that before turning down any offers that you may receive as a new pharmacist.

Create a Stand Out CV or Resume

Before you begin your job search, the singular most important that you can do is to create a stand out CV or resume that highlights your abilities to the max. You can’t have a good application if you don’t have a good resume that is visually appealing and showcases exactly what you have to offer to the employer. If you need help crafting your CV, you can buy my CV template to help you get started, which is what I still use to this day! Typically you have about 20 seconds to grab the recruiters or hiring manager’s attention and convince them to invite you to an interview. This means that your resume needs to be concise, highly effective, and attractive. 

As a guideline, your resume shouldn’t exceed more than 2 pages and should be tailored to each job that you are applying for. You’ll want to only include information and keywords relevant to that pharmacist job position otherwise you risk your resume getting tossed out by the computer system. When you’re going into details about your past jobs, you want to make sure you try to quantify your accomplishments as much as you can. An example of this could be “increased revenue by $5,000 each year through xyz”. 

Maximize Your Social Media Prescence

In pharmacy school, students are told to be mindful of your social media presence and to keep it private if you don’t want your college or future employers to see what you post. While this isn’t completely wrong, you lose the benefit of having your employer see what you post and for them to learn more about you as a person. It’s a catch 22 because it could go either way.

Before turning your accounts to private, assess your accounts and see if your online presence could hurt or support your job search. You’ll want to delete any comments or posts that are heavily political or inappropriate. On LinkedIn, choose a professional headshot as your profile picture and make sure your profile includes the same information as your resume. If you need some inspiration, you can check me out and even follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram! 

Be Geographically Flexible

Being geographically flexible opens up a lot of doors for job positions, especially as a new grad. Many people, including myself, want to move to bigger cities or cities with pharmacy schools, which can make it harder to find a job. If you are able to move and be more flexible on location, you’ll find yourself in a better chance of landing your dream pharmacist job sooner rather than later. Shoot for small towns that have the role that you want and less competition shooting for it.

Learn How to Market Yourself

The one thing that I wish pharmacy schools focused on more on is teaching students how to market yourself. You may have a good looking resume, a completed application, and an enticing cover letter, but if you don’t know how to market yourself, you won’t get very far in the interview process. Before going into your next interview, get comfortable with talking about your accomplishments, achievements, and the skills that you can bring to the table. While you don’t want to be bashful, you do want to be direct and confident in your skillset.

Prepare For Your Interview

Every successful interview starts with the prep work beforehand. You don’t want to go into an interview without the slightest clue of what job you’ve applied for and what the company is looking for. If you’re confused, then the hiring manager is probably going to be too. A day or two before your interview, spend a few hours researching the company and practice answering commonly asked questions. I like to write down the company’s mission statement, values, specialties/departments, recent media coverage, and other things that may be important for me to know. When you’re practicing your interview answers, try to tailor your answers into the STAR Method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

Ask for Feedback if You’re Not Successful

You’re not going to get a job offer for every position that you interview for, but that doesn’t mean that you should take a “No” and leave it be. The best way to improve how you interview is by asking for specific feedback afterwards. Ask them what they liked about your application or resume and what are things that you could improve in the interview. You’ll not only gain valuable feedback but also get to highlight to the hiring manager that you are willing to improve in areas where you may lack.

Next time you have an interview, take a peek at the feedback that you’ve received and use it to improve your technique. You can’t expect to improve in something if you have no idea what you need to focus on. If you want to more of a live action, ask a friend or mentor to do a mock interview where you can practice your skills and tailor your answers to the specific job you’re looking for.

Finding a pharmacist job after graduation won’t be an easy feat for new graduates. It’ll push you to your limits and provide the opportunity for growth, one way or another. Don’t be afraid of taking a job outside of your comfort zones or in something that you may not enjoy. Every job opportunity that comes your way is a chance to gain experience, further your career path, and learn something new about yourself.

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The post How to Land Your First Job as a New Pharmacist appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Why It Matters

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you know that right now there are over 15,000 new graduates every year. The pharmacist job market is very competitive right now because essentially everyone looks the same on paper: a decent GPA, organizational involvement, work experience, and maybe even a certificate or two. The only way to stand out in the job application process is to nail a job interview, which can only happen through the proper prep work.

How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Develop Your Narrative

One of the most common mistakes that job candidates do is allow the job interviewer to guide and direct the conversation. While you may think that you only need to answer the questions that you are given, you should be guiding the conversation to showcase why you are the perfect candidate for the role. In order to do that, you need to have a strong grasp of what the role entails and how that role fits within the company. 

Research the company and the position

The first step in preparing for a job interview is to research the company and the position in detail. You’ll want to understand how the role fits into the overall company, what department or specialty you’ll be working in, and other deciding factors. This is also the time to understand the job description, inside and out, so you can understand how your skills correlate to the necessary tasks.

Some of the questions I like to answer before the interview are:

• What kind of company is it? (hospital, clinic, insurance company, etc)
• What is the mission and values of the company?
• What services do they offer?
• What kind of patients do they see? How many beds (if it’s a hospital)?
• Any recent accomplishments or news?

Connect the dots

Once you feel comfortable with the job description and the company, you can now start to understand and connect the dots of what skills you can bring to the table. At this point, print out the job description and write on the side any skills or accomplishments that could relate to what they are asking for. Continue doing this until the sidelines are full with details. Nothing is too small or large to be included in this exercise.

After finishing this up, you’ll start to notice some things standing out and some skills seem to be a better match for the position than others. Turn those accomplishments or skills that you picked out and turn them into stories that your interviewer can understand. Not all interviewers are going to have a background in pharmacy, so you may need to tailor your story to your audience.

Rehearse for common questions

An easy way to prepare for a job interview is to rehearse your answers to common interview questions, such as the dreaded “tell me about yourself” and “tell me about a time when…”. While they may not be your favorite questions to answer, they are highly likely to be asked of you so it’s better to prepare ahead of time.

When answering interview questions, try to utilize the STAR method as much as possible. The STAR method is an interview technique that helps you answer behavioral questions in a way that discusses the specific situation, task, action, and result. Instead of rambling about a story, use the STAR method to structure your story that allows you to get across the point quickly and effectively. Something that I like to do is to is rehearse the different stories that could answer the most common questions that I’ve thought of. An example of this could be practicing a story that showcases your leadership style, a story that showcases how you manage angry customers or even a blurb of how you handle work stress.

Brainstorm your potential questions

When the interviewer asks you if you have any questions at the interview, you should always say “yes”. I say this because your interview is also your opportunity to scope out your potential new employer as well. Whatever questions that you ask should be tailored to the things that matter to you the most, such as PTO, work-life balance, etc. Brainstorming your questions beforehand is such an easy way to prep for a job interview. 

Some good questions that you may want to consider asking are:

• What is your ideal candidate for this role?
• If I were hired, what would a typical day look like?
• What makes someone successful in this position?
• How do you measure success in this role? How often are employees evaluated?
• What are the next steps? When can I expect to hear from you?
• What is the best part of your job and the hardest part?
• What are the opportunities for advancement here?
• What do you love about [Company Name]?

Showcase your personality

Don’t forget to showcase your personality despite your nervousness! People want to hire people who they can either relate too, so you’ll want to let your personality shine during the interview. You can easily do this by adding in jokes, smiling during the interview, and being excited about the overall conversation.

Wear the right outfit

Regardless of whether your interview is virtual or in-person, first impressions are very important and can be a deciding factor during the interview process. To leave a good first impression, I would suggest dressing to impress by wearing proper professional attire, such as a blazer and button up. Depending on what kind of role that you’re applying for, you may be able to get away with sprinkling in your personality with accessories or patterns. But be mindful and tasteful so you don’t go overboard.

Practice!

Just like anything, practice makes perfect, and nothing is different when it comes to your interview. Practice answering common interview questions in front of a mirror, a friend, or even a career coach. Because here’s the tea: when you practice enough times, your stories and narratives flow easily, and you end up being more relaxed during the interview. Another side effect of practicing is that instead of worrying about your answers, you can be more engaged in the conversation, which is something that interviewers look for.

As you prepare for a job interview, I hope that these tips help you land your dream job at your dream company. Don’t forget that you deserve happiness in your life, including in your professional career. What is your #1 interview tip that has helped you in landing a new job?

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The post Interview Prep: The Key to A Successful Job Interview appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Raise your hand if you have a dedicated and beloved pen that you can’t go without! Because of my professional work and side hustle, I am pretty picky about the writing utensils that I like to work with. If you work in the healthcare field, then you already know how crucial a good, rapid drying pen is. It’s taken me a few years of trial and error, but I’ve finally found my favorite pen that I love to use. Allow me to introduce the G-450 Gel Retractable Pen from Zebra Pen! This everyday, affordable, premium pen is durable enough to last through a hectic workday.

With my G-450, I have the confidence and tools to accomplish both my professional and personal goals with ease. Check out more information here on how you can Choose Different.

In my new role as a hospice and compounding pharmacist, the G-450 Gel Retractable Pen is exactly what I need to take emergency orders, write out new formulas for compounded prescriptions, and research solutions for other healthcare providers.

Working in a busy pharmacy means that you must be prepared for anything that comes your way. What I love about the G-450 is that it truly feels like a different writing instrument, from the high-quality metal to the crisp black matte finish. It delivers the same high quality of Zebra Pen’s other metal items while still being stylish, weighted, and balanced. It feels like a luxury writing utensil without the hefty price tag. Plus, when I’m taking orders over the phone, I can easily write them down without running the risk of the ink smudging and getting all over my hands. The ink that this pen has is so quick drying that it’s pretty unbelievable, and it doesn’t bleed through the page either. Choosing Differently with the G-450 was an easy decision to make and one that I will gladly keep making.

Once I clock out for the day, I head straight home and start working on my side hustle, aka my lifestyle blog. I love using the G-450 to write down my to-do list, plan out content ideas, and piece together my content calendar. With managing two big time commitments, it’s important for me to write down everything in my planner, such as deadlines, meetings, and my to-do list. What I like to say is that if it isn’t written down, it doesn’t exist because I won’t remember it when I need to.

Despite living in a digital age, it just makes more sense for me to keep a good quality pen on me at all times for this reason. By writing everything down in my agenda, I’m able to be more productive with my time. The main reason is that I no longer have to waste time scratching my head trying to figure out what I should be doing. I can get straight to work once I get home and get more done in my limited amount of time, which is only possible because of Zebra Pen.

The post My Favorite Pen for Work, Life, and Business appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

1.Get a good night’s rest

You can be the best pharmacist in the hospital or clinic that loves what they do, but if you don’t sleep enough while working 12 hour shifts, none of that will matter. You can’t perform at your best or be your best self when you’re exhausted from lack of sleep.

Here are some ways to make sleep a priority in your life:

Go to bed early

I know, I know that going to bed early can truly feel like a task and it may make you feel like you’re missing out on time at home. But getting that extra hour of sleep will make a world of a difference when you clock in the next day. Try it for a week and see what an hour difference can do for you  

Make your bedroom feel like a 5-star hotel

Good sleep hygiene starts in the bedroom literally. After a long day at work, the only thing that you want is a comfortable bed to fall into with a supportive pillow and even comfier sheets to cuddle into.

If you’re trying to have a blissful night of sleep, then you need to invest in quality sheets, a mattress that actually supports your bones, and a pillow that isn’t completely flat. I’ve heard so many great things about Cozy Earth Bedding that I’m about to make the investment myself very soon!

Turn off the TV and phone 1 hour before bed

Turning off your TV and phone before bed not only gives your eyes a rest from all of the blue light rays, it also gives your brain a chance to actually reset. Instead of strolling through social media, pick up a book that you’ve been meaning to read and truly relax before bed. It doesn’t seem like much, but I promise you’ll be able to see the difference quickly if you are consistent with the new habit.

2. Squeeze in some exercise when you can

While exercising sounds like it would be an easy task to accomplish, it can be hard mentally to make yourself get up out of bed, put clothes on, and head outside for a workout. After a 12 hour shift at work, the last thing that you may want to do is go to a crowded gym full of people. But you have to get your heart pumping for 30 minutes daily for your mental and physical health.

Here are some strategies that’ll help you squeeze in some daily activity:

• Walk your dog or neighborhood’s dog
• Take a workout class at home using the equipment you already have
• Jump rope for 10-15 minutes
• Follow along to a Youtube video
• Complete a yoga routine

3. Eat a healthy breakfast before your 12 hour shift

We’ve always been told that breakfast is the most important part of the day, and this is especially true for those that work long tedious shifts. A good healthy breakfast in the morning gives you more energy, improves concentration, and keeps you full for longer.

I know that cooking a healthy meal every morning isn’t reasonable, but maybe making a smoothie or overnight oats is. Both are easy meals that are packed with the nutrients you need to feel your best at work. Titi and I have this KitchenAid blender for a few years now, and we both love how it makes our smoothies so smooth.

4. Drink water consistently

Raise your hand if you’ve ever gotten so busy at work that you forget to drink water? Yep, I’m a guilty offender too! It’s incredibly easy to do when you are busy trying to do a million and 1 things while being short staffed with high expectations from management. Don’t do that!

Staying hydrated is so important for your body, and you literally need it to survive. Invest in a good water bottle or travel mug (I got this amazing one from Hydrapeak and it keeps my water cold all day!). Keep it with you at your station or desk to make sure it’s always by your side. A good tip to help you remember to drink water is to take a sip every hour of your shift.

5. Bring foods that you’re excited to eat

One thing that I’ve learned since working 12 hour shifts is what you eat during your shift can make or break your day. Maybe not as literal, but it can be a deal breaker. Stuffing a sugary sweet or boxed meal into your lunchbox may satisfy your hungry tummy during the moment, but it’ll leave you feel unsatisfied, tired, and hungry for more.

Instead of eating the overpriced cafeteria food or ordering DoorDash, try meal prepping your meals for the week and freezing your leftovers. You can store the extras in individual glass containers or Ziploc bags. If you’re like me and cooking isn’t your favorite activity, get yourself a slow cooker! It’s been such a game changer if you need to cook larger meals without the time commitment and burden of actually cooking.

6. Stay organized

It may not come as a surprise for other pharmacists and healthcare workers, but working 12 hour shift, especially back to back, doesn’t leave a lot of time for anything else in your personal life. The main reason being that you work during most people’s working hours and you get off when everything is closed.

Instead of getting caught up about the limitations of your work schedule, you can utilize your days off to the max. Here is what I like to focus on when I have days off:

Run any errands, especially the ones that have typical working hours

The night before, make a list of any errands that you need to run and list out their priority levels. On my off days, I like to focus on things that get me the most bang for my buck, which includes picking the errand or two that I can get done that are either the most urgent or bring me personal joy. This may include running to the bank, checking out a new book at the library, or stopping by the post office to send out a return.

Tidy up at home

Recently I start doing this habit where I spend 15 minutes every single day tidying up. It could be washing my dishes, vacuuming the floor, or putting away some of the clutter that was left out from the days prior. These mundane tasks make me feel more put together and like myself again. A clean house can do wonders on your mental health and doesn’t have to take a good chunk of your day.

7. Use your breaks wisely

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but working through your breaks doesn’t make you a better employee or a more productive employee. It just makes you more likely to get burnt out, frustrated at work, and feeling less valuable overall. Taking a break from work gives you a mental break that you desperately need.

It’s hard to work a 12-hour shift and be a leader to your team 24/7. Take the break, drink some water, and if you can, go outside and sit in the sunshine. Working as a pharmacist, we are usually working in the corner of a building without any windows and are deprived of sunshine. If you can leave the pharmacy for a few minutes, do so just to sit outside for a little bit.

8. 12 hour shifts = dressing for comfort

Gone are the days of uncomfortable business clothes! If you are allowed to wear scrubs at work, I highly recommend you doing so. Since most pharmacist jobs require a lot of movement, you’ll want something that is easy to move in and lightweight enough to wear all day. My favorite scrubs right now are WearFigs (even tho they’ve been conversational lately in the media) and Care + Wear scrubs (so comfy!).

9. Get a comfy pair of shoes and compression socks

Speaking of wearing clothes that are comfortable, that also means comfortable shoes. It’s not uncommon for pharmacists to be standing on their feet for hours at a time, especially if you work in retail. Trust me, you’re going to want to invest in a good pair of shoes that are comfortable and protect your feet. I currently wear my Rothy’s for 12 hour shifts and my Birdies for 6-8 hour shifts. Both are very comfortable and are cute for work!

If you’re working on your feet all day, then you should also be wearing compression socks, which may look a little like grandma’s socks, but they are totally worth it! I don’t go into work without them on because if I do, I know I’m going to feel it later in my feet. The reason why you should wear compression socks is because when you stand on your feet for long periods of time, all of your blood pools in your feet causing painful varicose veins.

10. Self care, self care, and self care

As a healthcare worker, it’s also important to take care of yourself first and for most. You can’t expect take care of your patients at your best if you aren’t taking care of yourself when you clock out from work. Self care doesn’t have to be an elaborate plan to put everything on pause or take a few hours to do. It could be as simple as reading a book you’ve been wanting to read, soaking in a bubble bath when you get home, or unfollowing people on social media.

If you need help on making self care a priority in your life, I have a 30 day self care challenge that is currently going on that you can join in on. It helps you get into a habit of making self care a daily habit instead of a one off concurrence.

Managing a work schedule that involves 12 hour shifts can be exhausting, but it’s nothing that you can’t handle as long as you remember a few things. Take care of your mind, body, and soul and don’t worry about what others are doing. Your goal, as a pharmacist and healthcare worker, should be prioritizing yourself and making sure that you are prepared to be there for your patients. Hopefully these tips help you manage this type of work schedule! If you work 12 hour shifts, how do you manage your days with this schedule? Let me know in the comments below!

You may also like: The Best Mobile Apps for Pharmacists, 11 Ways to Invest in Yourself this Year, and How to Save For an Emergency Fund

The post Pharmacist Health: 10 Tips for Surviving 12 Hour Shifts appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Why You Need a Self Care Routine

As cliché as it sounds, self care is important for your personal wellbeing. As healthcare providers, it’s easy for us to work, work, and work until we are burned out, frustrated, and depressed. It happens all of the time, and the only way to prevent yourself from burning out is to spend time taking care of yourself. You can’t expect to be able to do your job at the best of your ability when your energy bank is at 20%. Spending time doing something that you do enjoy will not only make you happier, it’ll also make you more productive and improve your physical and mental health.

Tips on How to Get Started

Now that you know why self care is so important in the pharmacy profession, let’s jump right into how to actually start and maintain a self care routine. Remember the goal is to find your peace and happiness on a daily basis. This process may make you feel uncomfortable because it requires you to take a break, let go, and to reset, which is hard for a busy pharmacist and stressed out pharmacy student.

1. Figure out what makes you feel happy, relaxed, and centered

The first thing that you should on your journey to incorporating self care into your life is to write down as many things that you can think of that makes you happy. It can be as simple as a candle burning, reading a book, a rainy day, or even drinking a frozen hot chocolate (highly recommend the one from Dunkin!)

2. Brainstorm how to add in those things into your daily life

The one thing that stops people from incorporating self care into their daily routine is the fact that it has to take up a significant part of their day to be meaningful. That is definitely not the case and a common misconception. It can be something small that’s in the background that you enjoy like burning your favorite candle or it could be a set time in your schedule for a certain activity. Think about ways that you can add your favorite things to your routine regardless of the time commitment.  

3. Give yourself a goal to stick with on a daily basis

After your done brainstorming your favorite activities and how much time they require, now it’s time to set a goal for yourself on how you incorporate one thing from your list to into your daily routine and how often. With any goal that you set, start off with something small and that is measurable. Maybe your goal is to read for 10 minutes before bed, start there and as you get into the habit of reading increase the time to 20,30 minutes. Give yourself time and patience as you start to develop this new habit. It won’t be an overnight change, but hopefully the activity will bring you so much joy that you won’t want to stop.

4. After two weeks, re-evaluate and adjust your plan if need be

Habits take time to form and that is still true for habits that involve improving your mind, body, and spirit. Once you’ve completed two weeks of your new goal, assess how you feel, anything that you could improve or change, and go from there. It’s okay to adjust your plan now and choose a different activity if you need to. You should also note any mood changes. Do you feel less irritated and anxious after the two weeks trial?

5. Get creative and try new things

Your journey to loving yourself should be fun and exciting! Don’t put yourself into a box when it comes to finding out what brings you joy and what doesn’t. Use this time to try out new things that you wouldn’t have tried otherwise and see what you end up liking. Have you always wanted to try roller skating or testing your skills with calligraphy? Take a chance and see what sticks. 

20 Simple Self Care Ideas

I rounded up a list of simple, practical self care ideas to inspire you to spend time recharging this year. While these ideas are relatively simple, they can make a world of a difference in your mood and mental wellbeing. Remember that the goal is to take care of yourself so you can show up as the best version of yourself.

Actually take a lunch break

It’s common practice for pharmacists in the retail setting to not take a lunch break, but I promise you that you need to start taking it for a necessary mental break and a fuel recharge. Try to clear out your queues as much as possible, let your techs know ahead of time, and take your 30 minutes to sit down, eat some food, and relax for a little bit. You need that break from checking prescriptions, dealing with customers complaints, and the constant ring of the phone in the pharmacy. 

Get lost in a good book 

When you can’t escape from reality, you can most definitely escape into the pages of a good book in a world that only exists on those crisp white pages. Even if you only have time for 10-20 minutes to read, use it. The good thing about reading is that it helps decompress you because you’re not concerned about your own life. You are highly invested in the one that you are reading about.

Soak in a bubble bath

As cliché as taking a bubble bath sounds, there’s a reason why it’s on every single self care list. It’s because it actually works to help you relax so light a candle, throw on your favorite playlist, and enjoy the soapy water. Take your bubble bath up a notch by adding in a bath bomb (these are my favorite on Etsy!).

Jot down three things that you are grateful for today

Before you rush into work or school, take a second to start of your day by writing down three things that you are grateful for today. It could be as simple as enjoying your bomb coffee that morning, waking up this morning, or whatever it is that made you smile. By writing down a few things that you are grateful for regularly, it brings our everyday life back into perceptive and begins our day with a positive note.

Spend 15-20 minutes decluttering your space

Nothing says a reset than a clean home and a clean car. Something about the mundane task of cleaning your house makes you feel like a whole new person. A new habit that I’ve been doing lately is to set 10-15 minutes every few days to clean my space, whether it be cleaning the dishes or putting away the clutter that is always on the dining table. It’s easier to keep your space clean if you are proactively keeping it clean throughout the week. 

Try that new workout class

With more things opening back up, there’s no more excuses as to why you don’t go try that new workout class. Self care is supposed to be fun, but it’s also meant to get yourself out of your comfort zone. If you don’t feel comfortable going alone, turn into a date with a friend or a significant other. You’ll get to spend time with someone you care about and get your blood pumping.

Start your day with something pleasant

Nothing is better than starting your day out with something that you enjoy such as a warm cup of coffee, patio time reading a good book, or a morning soak in the bath tub. Start your day with a positive note and spend a few minutes enjoying a few minutes of bliss.

Plan a date with a friend 

Go ahead and plan that date with a friend (even if it’s only a virtual girls’ night in). Having a solid social life keeps you busy, balanced, and more productive later. When I plan my dates with friends, I make sure to find something that we’ll both enjoy. The date could include a movie, shopping, checking out a new event in town, or going on a mini adventure. 

Move your body for 30 minutes daily

Exercise isn’t just for losing weight; it’s also a great mental tool to decrease depression and anxiety. As I’m sure that you already know as a pharmacist, you should be getting around 150 minutes of exercise a week, which translates to 30 minutes for 5 days. To keep your exercise journey spicy, switch up your workout routine and add in new elements that you might end up enjoying, such as yoga, weight lifting or boxing.

Just say no

Saying “no” is a lot harder than it looks, but it’s something that has to be done if you want to take care of yourself in this new season of life. You simply can’t do everything in life and you shouldn’t have to. Say yes only if you brings you joy or peace because I promise you more money won’t make your life better. 

Unplug from the world

It can be easy to get overwhelmed and feel burden by the curated feed on social media and the disaster stories on the news. Instead of tuning into the chaos, turn off the news, delete the apps, and shut off your emails for a little bit. Don’t feel bad about doing so either! It’s is totally necessary for your mental peace and well-being.

Go to therapy

If you’ve never been to therapy before, now is the time to add it into your self care routine. It’s such an underrated activity, which I don’t know why. Therapy helps you improve as a person and actively deal with the trauma from your past, present, and future. Talking to someone about your inner thoughts will be difficult at first, but once you find a person that you click with, the process gets easier over time.

Make a playlist

Everyone needs a go-to playlist filled with songs that makes them want to get up and dance. Make a playlist for this season in life and that inspire you to move. Bonus points if you make a playlist that inspires you for the next phase in your life, almost like vision board playlist.

Open up the blinds and let in the morning sunshine

As soon as you wake up for the day, go ahead and open up your blinds to let in the glorious sunshine. It’s been shown that people who are exposed to the morning light fall asleep faster, which means you’ll be more likely to get more quality sleep at night. Getting enough sleep (6-8 hours a night) not only curbs your crankiness but also lessens your chance of heart disease.

Cook your favorite recipe

Tired of ordering take out or are you just stuck in a kitchen rut? I can’t be the only one sick of cooking and tired of overpaying in food delivery fees. Carve out time in your busy day to make and try a new recipe. Enjoy the process, add in your own twists, and hope for the best! You might even find a new recipe that you can add to your go-to cooking meals. If you need a new cookbook to find some bomb recipes, check out this one by Gabrielle McBay called “You Have Food At Home”. I mean the name says it all honestly.  

Go to a farmer’s market

Not only will you be supporting small local businesses, but you’ll also get to grab some fresh produce, unique items, and a glorious bouquet of flowers. I love adding a trip to the farmer’s market to my self care routine in the spring and summer time because I always find the coolest stuff that I wouldn’t have found otherwise.

Create a vision board

A great way to show yourself some self care and to create the life that you want is to create a vision board. You can buy a bunch of magazines and create a physical vision board or you can create one using Canva, both options are easy to do. The goal of a vision board is to help you visualize where you want to go in life. When life gets hard or you feel like quitting, you’ll be reminded of what actually matters to you.

Change your sheets

So simple but oh so sweet. When is the last time that you swapped out your sheets? More than likely you aren’t doing it often enough. There’s something so refreshing about sinking into a fresh set of sheets that makes you feel ready to start a new day. 

Donate your clutter to a local charity

A quote that I’ve always been taught was that a clean space equals a clear mind. Add a decluttering session to your self care routine and pend some time decluttering your home. You can then go donate whatever you don’t need anymore. You’ll be surprised how much stuff you have that you don’t even use or wear anymore. I like to declutter my closet every quarter so that I’m not hoarding items that I’ll never wear again.

Enroll in a fun class that you’ve always wanted to do

Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn calligraphy, take better photos, or learn how to roller skate. Use the quality time with yourself learning something new and exciting. It’ll keep your brain active and give you the opportunity to meet some new friends, which we already know is much harder to do as an adult.

I hope this blog post was helpful for you as a pharmacist or pharmacy student. I know it’s hard for us as healthcare professionals to set aside time for ourselves, but it’s a necessary requirement if you want to be our best selves for our patients. Which activity are you thinking about adding to your routine?

You may also like: 11 Ways to Invest in Yourself this Year, 30 Day Self- Care Challenge to Decrease Anxiety, and Chatbooks: The Perfect Photo App for Millennials

The post How to Kickstart Your Self Care Routine for Burnt Out Pharmacists appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

What is an emergency fund?

An emergency fund is exactly what it sounds like: it is money set aside for any larger expenses that come up unexpectedly throughout the year. This could be something such as losing your job, having to make major repairs on your car unexpectedly, or having to replace your roof after a crazy storm. In these instances, it’s totally appropriate to dip into your emergency fund so that you’re not putting that expense on a credit card or loan.

Why you need an emergency fund

Life is so unpredictable, and emergencies will come up where you have to spend a chunk of change that you weren’t expecting. As we all saw in 2020, a ton of people lost their jobs or jobs went on hiring freezes. People were having emergencies left and right, which is why it is so important to have an emergency fund.

Another big reason why it’s a good idea to have an emergency fund is that if you’re already in debt (I’m talking about those student loans, mortgages, or brand new car you bought after graduation), it is very easy to stay in debt. What I mean by this is that if an emergency comes up, it can cause you to skip a debt payment one month. Then next month, another emergency comes up and it can snowball from there. The amazing thing about an emergency fund is that it acts a buffer to keep you on track with your financial goals.

How much should you have in your emergency fund savings?

Most people are going to say you should save 3-6 months of expenses, but I’m going to say that it really depends on the type of job you have (+/- what job your partner has), any side hustles you have, and your current financial situation. If you’re just getting started or maybe you don’t have a lot of extra money to save, then start out with $1,000. It’s a small enough goal that once you hit it, you’re going to feel so good about yourself that you’re going to want to keep going.

After you hit the $1,000 emergency fund amount, then you can shoot for more lofty goals such as having 3 months’ worth of expenses or even a year’s worth of expenses.  Another great tip that I’ve learned is that if you have a stable employment (you know one that isn’t affected by pandemics or recessions), then you should shoot for 3-6 months of expenses for your emergency fund. What I mean by stable employment is any job that we saw were still in high demand when COVID hit, such as any healthcare job, government jobs, and any job essential for everyday living.

Now if you’re kinda in that camp but there’s a good chance that your job could be scaled back, outsourced, or computerized, then you should shoot for 6-9 months of expenses in your emergency fund. For those that have jobs that are seasonal or considered unstable employment, you’re going to want to save up at least 9 months if not longer for your emergency fund. This would include anyone that waits tables, is self-employed, and the like.

The best way to figure out what your 3,6, or 12 months’ worth of expenses looks like for you. You’ll want to take a look and see what your monthly expenses are. Then times that by the number of months you want to save. You can also look at your annual spending if you have that readily available to figure out this number.

If you’re not really sure how much you should save, I say go big or go home. Shoot for the stars and shot for a goal that scares you. Maybe that’s 10k or 20k or even more!

Where should you put your emergency fund?

Your emergency fund savings should be put in a separate account away from your account where you pull for your regular, daily expenses. Keep it separated from your savings/checking account. This way you’re less likely to spend it on something non-emergency related when it’s not in your view 24/7.

If you’re trying to figure out where to park your emergency fund, then I would recommend putting the money in a high-yield savings account that has a digital bank for easy access. You won’t get rich off the interest, but if the money has to sit somewhere, it can least make you a few dollars in the process.

Tips on building up your emergency fund savings

Now that you know what an emergency fund is and how much you should save for your current financial situation, now it’s time to actually make a savings plan. I promise that saving up for an emergency fund is not as daunting as it seems. It’s actually quite easy once you get started. You can even make it into a game if you have a friend or partner who is also interested in building up their emergency fund.

1. Set a monthly savings goal that is realistic for your budget

No amount is too small to add to your emergency fund savings. Whatever amount you feel comfortable saving from your paycheck, go ahead and automatic your savings into your emergency fund. This way you don’t even have to think about saving. If you need help with this, I highly recommend downloading the app called Qapital. It’s a finance app that helps you save money without you even realizing it. I used this a ton when I was in college and even had $2,000 saved at one point just by using the app.

2. Got a little extra money? Add that in too

I know you got that little stimmy check (it’s a joke from Twitter) at the beginning of the year. If you don’t need the extra money to pay off any necessary bills or expenses right now, then add it to your emergency fund for later. Same goes for your tax refund check, any money you got for the holidays, or etc.

3. Cut out ONE unnecessary expense

I’m not saying go crazy and cut out all unnecessary spending. But without going overboard, take something that you do regularly and cut it out for a certain time frame. Maybe you enjoy going to Starbucks in the morning before work three times a week. Or maybe you cut down your shopping budget for the month or cook more meals at home, instead of eating out. It’s honestly the small repeated expenses that can add up over the year that can really help boost your emergency fund.

4. Start a side hustle or sell your old clothes online

Highly recommend if you’re looking to make a little bit of extra money to put towards your emergency fund, then you should definitely start a side hustle. Some of the ways that I’ve made some extra cash over the years is by selling my old clothes on Poshmark, dogsiting and dogwalking on the Rover app, and through my blogging business. Titi has even made quite bit of cash by DoorDashing (or basically as a food delivery man). Do you have a skill or hobby that you could monetize this year to help you grow your funds?

5. Reward yourself with something small at the end of the challenge

Once you’ve hit your emergency fund goal, reward yourself with something small, but reasonable to celebrate your win. It takes some dedication and persistence to reach a financial goal. Be proud of yourself and celebrate your accomplishment! But don’t get lazy. Once you’ve hit the first goal, go ahead and start on the next one.

You may also like: How to Manage Your Credit After Graduation, The Hidden Secrets of Selling on Poshmark, and the Hidden Secrets of Dogsitting on Rover

The post Emergency Fund: Why You Need One + How to Save it Fast appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Epocrates

Epocrates is one of those go-to mobile pharmacy apps that is reliable, easy to do, and updated regularly. The app contains clinical reference information on drugs and includes features such as a pill identifier, drug interaction checker, and resources for COVID-19, all of which is available on the free version. You can pay a monthly fee for the premium features, which includes access to labs, disease monographs, ICD-10 codes, and even an infectious disease treatment selector.

Cost: $16.99 a month

Lexicomp

A lot of hospitals, schools, and larger organizations will partner with Lexicomp to have access to this resource for free. It is a charge if you don’t have access with your school or employer, but Lexicomp is a gem if you need a resource to look up evidence-based drug information. It also includes tabs for drug calculators, IV compatibility, patient education forms, toxicology, and drug interaction.

Cost: $29.99 a month

UptoDate

This app is kind of similar to the Lexicomp as in that most hospitals or larger organizations will give free access to their students or employees. So make sure to ask around before paying for this app and Lexicomp, since they are both on the heftier price tag. But UptoDate is a great resource if you are looking for general clinical information. I will say that for the pharmacy students, make sure to NEVER (I repeat never) cite UptoDate on any presentation, research paper, or any assignment. It looks really unprofessional. If you did find something useful, go to the bottom of the page on UptoDate and read the articles that they used to make the resource instead.

Cost: 57.00 monthly (or $559 for 1 year subscription)

Sanford Guide – Antimicrobial

Another amazing app for pharmacists is the Sandford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy! If you find yourself working in the clinical or ambulatory type of settings, then this app would be amazing to have on your phone. This pharmacy app includes clinical reference for the treatment of infectious diseases, dosing tables for different drugs, information on clinical syndromes as well as pathogens. From what I hear, it’s concise and easy to use in a pinch.

Cost: $29.99 for 1 year subscription

Journal Club: Medicine

Do you need access to landmark trials (you know those trials that changed clinical practices) on a regular basis? Then this pharmacy app may be exactly what you need. This app makes it easy to reference landmark clinical trials and gives you a concise summary so you don’t have to read the entire 30-page document.

Cost: $6.99

CDC Vaccine Schedules

As a retail pharmacist, I’m asked on a daily basis what vaccines my patients need to receive and when. This free app from the CDC has been an easy resource for me to access on a regular basis. Nobody has time to go the website and filter through pages of information, but with this app, I can give an answer quickly and effectively.

Cost: Free

Google Translate

The Google Translate definitely comes in handy if you work with non-English speaking patients. Right on the app, you can translate words and phrases in more than 60 other languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, and more. It evens offers the option to do an instant two-way speech so you can answer any questions that your patients may have.  

Cost: Free

Mendeley

I actually learned about this app from Dr. Erin Mays recently, and I’ve started to slowly utilize it for myself. She has a great blog post explaining the app in more details as well as sharing how she set it up. But basically Mendeley is an app where you can save a ton of documents and articles that you’ve accumulated over the years. This would be great to save like your journal clubs, research articles, and clinical guidelines. One of my preceptors actually used this app to have a ton of research articles in her field so she had easy access to everything she needed.

Cost: Free

What is your favorite apps that you use as a pharmacist or pharmacy student? Did I miss one of your favorites? Let me know in the comments below!

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