Pharmacy Today contributor launches blog on social media

What started off as a diary of my frustrations with the lack of innovation and career progression…turned into a hobby that was nurtured by both international and national publications

Recently, I wrote an article for Pharmacy Today titled “Attracting and retaining pharmacists”, and it must have struck a deep chord with interns and budding pharmacists.

I received about 20 messages from early career pharmacists telling me how the article resonated with them. Some enquired about how I began writing, how they could progress their career, what to do if they feel stuck, along with a long list of topics that I felt could be addressed by a more productive and far-reaching method.

How I got writing? What started off as a diary of my frustrations with the lack of innovation and career progression – what I describe as my way of strategising my life and goals – turned into a hobby that was nurtured by both international and national publications.

My 60 minutes of writing a day turned into regular publications in Pharmacy Today, some of which are targeted at moving our industry forward in time (wishful thinking, I know, but good things come to those who believe, even if takes a decade!). Some are just reflections of the challenges pharmacists face in withstanding professional pressures.

I figured I am writing all over social media anyway, so exploring a new way of creating meaningful dialogue will hopefully energise these pharmacists and show them the way to fulfilling their career potential, from someone who has been there and done that.

This may plant a seed of hope in those budding pharmacists who are hearing nothing but doom and gloom in the sector.

So, starting a blog sounded like a brilliant idea (well, for me anyway!) This blog is really targeting student pharmacists, intern pharmacists and early career pharmacists and well…any other pharmacist who just wants to hear the reflections, ruminations and experimentations of a fellow pharmacist.

The purpose of it is to empower pharmacists to embrace their potential as invaluable health professionals in this sector, without which it simply cannot operate. To remind them of who they are, that’s something you sometimes forget that when stuck behind a counter the whole day.

It is a means by which I can instil hope that all career success and fulfilment are possible for those who wish to find it. A means by which I can share my experiences, learnings, failures and disappointments from my own journey in pharmacy, that may serve as a reflective, educational, building tool for others. And for them to know more than anything, you are not going through it alone.

Follow me on Facebook at The Pharmacist’s Diary

Happy reading!