I recently completed my elective APPE rotation with RxPharmacist. This rotation primarily focused on medical writing, regulatory review, and content development. Throughout this experience, I strengthened my clinical research abilities, professional writing skills, and familiarity with state pharmacy laws while gaining valuable experience in educational content creation. The rotation challenged me in ways that fostered both professional and personal growth and allowed me to develop skills that will be beneficial throughout my pharmacy career.

At the beginning of the rotation, my primary responsibilities included refining my medical writing skills and reviewing pharmacy laws and regulations across various states. Each day presented unique tasks and challenges that required independent research, critical thinking, and attention to detail. I initially recognized that I had limited experience with advanced Microsoft Word formatting tools and other technological platforms used for content development. However, this rotation encouraged continuous improvement in these areas. Over time, I became significantly more comfortable using Microsoft Word, editing large documents, and navigating educational platforms such as LearnDash to create and modify course materials. These technological skills proved essential for producing accurate, organized, and user-friendly educational content designed to help learners prepare for Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) exams and complete required continuing education courses.

The first half of my rotation focused on updating and editing existing MPJE study guides. This process required comprehensive research into pharmacy laws and regulatory updates for various states, with emphasis on identifying legislative changes enacted within the past year. I learned to analyze legal statutes, board of pharmacy regulations, and policy updates to ensure all study materials remained current and accurate. Once I identified updated laws, I carefully integrated this information into the appropriate sections of the MPJE study guides. This task required strong organizational skills and the ability to interpret complex legal language into clear and understandable content suitable for learners preparing for licensure examinations.

In addition to updating written study materials, I contributed to revising and developing practice questions for the mock MPJE examination sections. I gained insight into the structure, format, and style of MPJE exam questions, which are designed to assess critical thinking and application of pharmacy law rather than simple memorization. I worked to ensure that each question reflected realistic testing scenarios while maintaining alignment with current state regulations. I also wrote detailed explanations for each answer choice, helping learners understand why specific responses were correct or incorrect. This strengthened my ability to apply pharmacy law concepts while enhancing my educational writing skills. Creating these questions reinforced the importance of precision and clarity since minor inaccuracies could potentially mislead learners preparing for high-stakes licensure examinations.

The second half of my rotation involved developing three continuing education (CE) courses required for pharmacist licensure renewal in Florida. These courses covered HIV/AIDS, medication errors, and controlled substances. Each course required extensive research to ensure the content was evidence-based, compliant with Florida regulatory requirements, and clinically relevant to practicing pharmacists. I gathered information from authoritative sources such as state statutes, clinical guidelines, and professional organization recommendations to develop comprehensive course content.

While developing these CE courses, I focused on presenting complex clinical and regulatory information in a clear and concise manner. I aimed to simplify course material so pharmacists could efficiently complete their continuing education requirements while still gaining valuable knowledge applicable to their practice. In addition to writing course content, I created assessment quizzes at the end of each module. These quizzes were designed to evaluate learner comprehension and reinforce key concepts covered throughout the course. Creating these quizzes required thoughtful consideration of question design to ensure they appropriately assessed knowledge while remaining fair and relevant to clinical practice.

This rotation provided me with a deeper understanding of the importance of continuing education in maintaining pharmacist competency and ensuring patient safety. Developing courses related to medication errors and controlled substances highlighted the pharmacist’s role in minimizing medication-related harm and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, creating content related to HIV/AIDS allowed me to expand my clinical knowledge in an area that requires ongoing education due to evolving treatment guidelines and public health considerations.

Beyond clinical and regulatory knowledge, this rotation significantly strengthened my technological proficiency. I became more skilled in navigating Microsoft Word’s advanced formatting tools, including document organization, table formatting, and style management. I also gained experience using LearnDash, which required me to input course materials, format online learning modules, and troubleshoot technical challenges. Overcoming these obstacles required adaptability, creativity, and persistence. I learned to approach technological challenges systematically by exploring available resources, seeking feedback, and testing potential solutions. These experiences enhanced my problem-solving abilities and increased my confidence in learning new software platforms.

Another valuable aspect of this rotation was the development of independent learning skills. Much of the work required self-directed research and project management, which helped me improve my time management and organizational abilities. I learned to balance multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines. This experience reinforced the importance of accountability and professionalism in completing complex tasks that directly impact educational outcomes for pharmacy learners.

This rotation also strengthened my communication skills, particularly in written professional communication. Medical writing requires translating complex clinical and legal information into language that is accessible and educational for diverse audiences. I learned to adjust my writing style based on the intended audience, whether pharmacy students preparing for licensure examinations or practicing pharmacists completing continuing education courses. This ability to communicate effectively through writing is an essential skill that will benefit me in clinical documentation, patient education, and professional collaboration throughout my career.

Overall, my APPE rotation with RxPharmacist was an extremely valuable and rewarding experience. It allowed me to expand my knowledge of pharmacy law, continuing education requirements, and professional writing while improving my technological proficiency and problem-solving skills. The rotation also enhanced my ability to work independently, manage large projects, and maintain accuracy in educational content development. These skills will be highly beneficial as I transition into my professional pharmacy career.

This experience reinforced my appreciation for the importance of pharmacist education and lifelong learning. By contributing to resources that help pharmacy students and licensed pharmacists succeed, I gained a greater understanding of the role educational tools play in maintaining professional competence and ensuring safe patient care. The knowledge and skills I developed during this rotation have strengthened my confidence as a future pharmacist and prepared me to contribute meaningfully to patient care, professional education, and the advancement of pharmacy practice.

Maddie L., University of Pittsburgh PharmD Candidate 2026