STUDENT UPDATE: AMY’S FIRSTTHREE MONTHS AS A FOUNDATION TRAINING YEAR PHARMACIST
Three months into her Foundation Training Year (FTY), Amy reflects on the steep learning curve, the support she’s received and her hopes for the year ahead.
Finding her feet “It’s not necessarily a learning curve, but a realisation of how much there still is to learn beyond university,” Amy says. “With pharmacy continuing to evolve and expand, there’s so much more to understand and put into practice.”
Balancing study, work and life Although her exam isn’t until June 2026, Amy has already built a structured routine. “I’ve eased myself into revising early, so it doesn’t become overwhelming later,” she explains. “Recording reflections soon after key events helps me remember details and I always make time at weekends to switch off - it keeps me refreshed for Mondays.”
Developing new perspectives Having worked previously as a dispenser and pharmacy student, Amy expected the transition to a pharmacist’s mindset to be gradual.
“Surprisingly, I’ve adapted quite quickly,” she says. “I now find myself thinking through each situation as if I were the responsible pharmacist.”
Building patient relationships While no single interaction stands out, Amy already values her connection with local patients. “It’s rewarding that regulars recognise me and feel comfortable asking for advice or support,” she says. “It’s what makes community pharmacy so personal.”
Support that makes a difference Amy credits her supervising pharmacist and the wider team for creating an open, encouraging environment. “I can ask anything - no matter how silly it feels,” she laughs. “The team challenge me with questions that help me grow. I also stay in close contact with my university friends, which really helps as we’re all navigating similar challenges.”
She’s also benefited from collaboration with local GP surgeries, gaining valuable prescribing experience alongside practitioners.
Challenges and goals ahead “As part of the FTY prescribing cohort, there are some outcomes I might not meet in my current branch,” she explains. “But the flexibility to work across other RMP pharmacies offering more private services will help me achieve them.”
Amy’s next three-month focus is to stay organised, plan additional prescribing hours and identify a quality-improvement project for her pharmacy.
Looking ahead Having started in pharmacy at 16, Amy is optimistic about the profession’s future. “I’ve seen how much pharmacists’ roles have expanded and how much trust patients place in us. It makes me proud to be part of a profession that keeps evolving.”
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IT’S REWARDING THAT REGULARS RECOGNISE ME AND FEEL COMFORTABLE ASKING FOR ADVICE
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