During my rotation with RxPharmacist, I entered the experience feeling intrigued but uncertain about what to expect. Unlike clinical rotations that emphasize direct patient care, this setting centered around education, content development, and creativity. For clinical rotation I had a general idea of what my days would look like. For this rotation, I did not have a clear picture of what my daily responsibilities would be going into it.  However, this initial unpredictability became one of the most valuable aspects of the experience, as it encouraged me to approach each task with an open mind and a willingness to step outside of my comfort zone. Over time, I came to appreciate how integral education and effective communication are to the pharmacy profession, even outside of direct patient interactions.

Throughout the rotation, I had the unique opportunity to actively participate in selecting the types of assignments I wanted to complete. This allowed me to not only build on my existing strengths but also intentionally challenge areas where I felt less confident. One of my responsibilities was creating multiple continuing education (CE) courses for different states. This experience significantly expanded my understanding of pharmacy law beyond my state and exposed me to different regulations across various state jurisdictions. This work required me to navigate legislative documents and regulatory language, unlike the clinical research I was more accustomed to in previous years of pharmacy school. However, through repeated practice I developed stronger research skills, particularly in identifying credible sources and interpreting complex information. This process broadened my perspective on the different types of research pharmacists may encounter and reinforced the importance of being adaptable in how information is gathered and analyzed.

In addition to strengthening my research abilities, developing CE courses also improved my writing skills. I learned how to present information in a way that is clear, concise, and engaging. Writing is often a skill that remains in the background during pharmacy school, where the focus is typically on memorization and clinical application. However, this experience highlighted how essential strong writing skills are, especially when creating educational materials or communicating important information. Being able to translate complex concepts into digestible content is a skill that applies directly into patient counseling and professional communication. As I progressed through the rotation, I became more confident in my ability to write efficiently and purposefully, which I anticipate will benefit me in both academic and professional settings. On top of that, I gained a new appreciation for the professionals who provide educational material and their hard work.

Another major component of my rotation involved updating the Pennsylvania MPJE guide and the Retail OTC guide. At first, this task felt overwhelming due to the length and complexity of the documents. I found myself needing to re-familiarize with formatting tools and carefully review large amounts of existing content. However, this challenge quickly became an opportunity for growth. Rather than passively reading, I had to critically evaluate the material and consider what could be improved, clarified, or expanded. This process strengthened my attention to detail and encouraged me to adopt a more proactive mindset by asking myself, “What can I contribute?” Over time, I became more comfortable suggesting changes and thinking creatively about how to enhance the guides. This shift in perspective improved the confidence in my ability to contribute meaningful ideas, which was an area I had previously struggled with.

In addition to written content, I also created five presentations and corresponding video lectures. This aspect of the rotation allowed me to further develop my communication and educator skills while also exploring my creativity. Designing presentations required me to carefully consider how to organize information in a way that is visually appealing and easy to understand. Initially, I found this challenging, as creativity and graphic design was not something I considered a strength. However, with practice I began to experiment with different layouts, visuals, and methods of presenting information. I noticed a clear improvement in the quality of my work over time. Recording video lectures was a completely new experience for me, as it involved learning how to use an unfamiliar platform for recording and editing. Although recording myself initially felt intimidating and a little awkward, it ultimately became one of the most enjoyable parts of the rotation. Hearing my own recordings also allowed me to reflect on my pacing, tone, and diction, helping me improve on public speaking skills that will be valuable in both professional presentations and patient interactions.

Across all of these assignments, one of the most consistently challenging yet rewarding tasks was creating practice questions. At first, I underestimated how difficult it would be to design effective questions. I quickly realized that in order to create meaningful questions, I needed to have a strong understanding of the material and be able to anticipate how learners might interpret and apply the information. Striking a balance between questions that were too simple and those that were appropriately challenging required significant thought and effort. However, this process ultimately strengthened my critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By the end of the rotation, I felt more confident in my ability to create questions that not only assess knowledge but also encourage deeper understanding and application.

This rotation also reinforced the importance of adaptability. Many of the tasks required me to learn how to use new platforms, websites, and tools. It also required me to have a more comprehensive understanding of tools I had used before. However, being able to quickly adapt to new systems and technologies is an essential skill in modern pharmacy practice. Whether learning a new electronic health record system or adapting to updated clinical guidelines, pharmacists must be able to navigate change effectively. This experience helped me become more comfortable with learning new tools and approaching unfamiliar tasks with a problem-solving mindset rather than hesitation.

Overall, the skills I developed during this rotation will directly support my future career goals in hospital or ambulatory care pharmacy. The research and writing skills I exercised will be valuable when composing patient notes, consults, and other forms of clinical documentation. My experience with presentations and video lectures will enhance my ability to communicate effectively with both colleagues and patients. Additionally, the attention to detail I developed while updating the guides will be critical in ensuring accuracy and safety in medication management. Finally, the creativity and problem-solving skills I cultivated will allow me to approach complex clinical situations with greater flexibility and confidence.

In conclusion, my experience with RxPharmacist was both unexpected and highly impactful. While it differed significantly from traditional clinical rotations, it provided me with opportunities to develop a wide range of transferable skills. Each assignment challenged me in new ways and contributed to my growth in communication, writing, creativity, and critical thinking. By the end of the rotation, I not only gained a deeper appreciation for the role of education in pharmacy but also developed greater confidence in my ability to adapt and contribute meaningfully in unfamiliar settings. This experience has reinforced the importance of continuous learning and effective communication, both of which will be essential as I continue to grow in my career as a pharmacist.

-Hannah Y., University of Pittsburgh