Allergies...?

Had someone come in today for their prescription. Unfortunately, it wasn't ready b/c there was an allergy on file which had a cross-allergy with the pending prescription. This person was NOT happy that the prescription wasn't ready...nay, they were FURIOUS that it wasn't ready. All...because...we didn't want her to have an allergic reaction to her new medication. Sorry for trying to keep you safe...don't go and have trouble breathing or anything...

Random community pharmacy experiences...

I am currently a grad-intern for a big box pharmacy! Woo! Yeah! Here are some random retail experiences...

-Giving an immunization to a child DEATHLY afraid of needles. It took me about 15 minutes to give this shot! Every time I reached for the needle, she squirmed in the chair away from me and her chin would end up trying to shield her upper arm. That was awesome. Eventually, her mom had to cover the girl's eyes so she couldn't see me lol...
-Giving an immunization to a special needs child...who is also DEATHLY afraid of needles. This time was more interesting as BOTH parents held the child down. Similarly, every time the needle was being lifted off the table, the child went ape shit and wouldn't stay still. Finally, my pharmacist came over to tell the parents that this was not safe and we could not administer the shot
-Had a patient call in and say that they couldn't taste anything anymore and wanted a recommendation for an OTC...I told them about 5 times that they needed to go see a doctor.

That's all I got so far...#retailproblems

72 hours...

72 hours a week is what my district supervisor approved for graduate interns at my store. At first I was a little bummed about only 3 days a week, but actually it's kinda nice. Considering I haven't worked in about 2 years, it's nice to be eased into the work force. Also, I'm still studying for my NAPLEX and law exam...so it's nice to have the days off.

However, I must say that working 2 days in a row was EXHAUSTING!!! #retailproblems

Now let me get back to answering phone calls...

Oh you know, just studying for board exams...

Sorry for the inactivity. Like most of my fellow recent graduates, I've simply been studying for my NAPLEX and CPJE/MPJE. Oh, and a quick vacation to Cabo, but I digress...

Anyways, sometimes I wonder if the errors we find in these NAPLEX review books are there to keep us on our toes...or because the editors are just lazy as hell. Food for thought...

Graduation...yup it happened...

My college of pharmacy recently graduated!!! Hooding ceremony was on 5/17 and graduation itself was 5/18. What a rush!!!!!!!!!

For hooding, I was graciously chosen as the student speaker for my class. I'd like to think I delivered and gave a speech to remember, but who knows :)

The whole weekend was fun...but exhausting! So many trips to make, back and forth, party to party...but well worth it.

Here's my graduation cap :) Inspired by a beer pong cap I saw at my undergrad graduation, but with a pharmacy twist

$485 poorer...

Just registered for the NAPLEX exam!!! Now it's the waiting game for the BOP to issue my authorization to test...

For all the P3s today taking the pre-NAPLEX...

License application...

The other day, I mailed in my huge application for a pharmacist's license. So relieved to get it out, but so nervous to eventually receive my authorization to take the NAPLEX!!!

School's out...

So last Wednesday was my last day of rotation and school...EVER. The feeling was crazy! I can't even explain it! So much emotion...both good and bad. It is a very bittersweet feeling because I'm about to leave behind a ton of lifelong friends. However, to be done FOREVER...you can't beat it.

Now, it's just sitting around and studying for the NAPLEX and CPJE. Let the fun begin!

Funny pharmacy article...

Via CollegeHumor:

http://www.collegehumor.com/article/210525/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-pharmacist

It's a MUST READ for anyone who works in a pharmacy. It's hilarious, yet sad. Happy, yet maddening.

A day in the life...

Even more happenings...

So the most interesting in my pharmacy life happened not too long ago: the FBI raided our facility. In order to protect who I am, where I rotate, etc etc, I can't tell you the business I am currently at. Of course, I'm sure a simple google search might uncover everything I've tried to hide. Anyways...

So ya, the FBI (and I don't mean Female Body Inspectors) came by for 2 days and apparently took away tons of information. We are told no charges have been filed, but that a high ranking official is in deep poop. Pretty scandalous stuff concerning bribes and kickbacks...

Makes sense why my only rotation assignment the past 4 weeks has been to shred EVERYTHING.

(JUST KIDDING about the shredding...everything else is true).

One more full week of rotation here...can't wait to be gone

Long update of random things that don't even make sense...

Well readers, it's been a while. Sorry for the delay, but there were a lot of things going on in my life...well I take that back. Mostly just been bored during this drug information rotation. And dammit, as it turns out, the meme generator website I was using is not working anymore, so all of the old memes I made are all gone. Bummer.

So what's new? Well, more like "so what's missing?" Right before this rotation started, a robber broke into the house and stole my laptop. Long story short, my roommate apparently came home in the middle of the robbery because ONLY my laptop was gone while a few things in the living room were messed up. *SIGH* Luckily, the IT department at my school is AWESOME and were able to replace my laptop the 1st business day I reported it stolen. Thank you IT department <3

Aside from that, we are all on our last rotation. Matter of factly, we are now in our 4th week of our last rotation!!!!!!!! Crazy how time flies!

Slightly funny story of the week: on Friday, me and my rotation partner took an extended 2 hour lunch. Our preceptor didn't notice one bit :P

So it begins...

*Welp* Guess the studying begins...

First world problems...

Snowday today...

One more week...

Damn, it sure is hard to keep up with a blog...even just posting once a week! Sorry folks (all 3 of you?).

One more week to the 7th rotation! The finish line is so close! Graduating is quieting sneaking up on us...and so is real life. Lots of people have jobs lined up already (myself included), while many people just submitted their residency match list. The match day is March 22nd, when all hell will break loose with people trying to scramble. Good luck to you all!

Meanwhile, I have a presentation due Tuesday and it's not gonna just write itself...

Worst part of being done at noon...

None of your friends are available for lunch :(

This past week of rotation...

Monday - off b/c the VA observes federal holidays
Tuesday - lecture day on campus
Wednesday - stayed home due to the flu :(
Thursday - anticoag clinic for a few hours
Friday - snow day

If you do the math, I had 1.5 days of rotation last week

Back on campus...

For the first time since October, I stepped foot onto my campus. It was a weird feeling being back! Walking through the mall and the building...memories...and also the feeling I had no clue who anyone was.

Graduation is coming up quicker than we think!

Been a long time...

So I'm logging on to my school's BlueLine site for the 1st time in about 7 months. How does this stuff work again?

On to the next one...

6th rotation done (psych - in patient).

Boy, I'm really going to miss that pager...

VA vs Psych...

So my friend the other day was talking about his patient population...

Friend: you know, it's amazing how much hepatitis there is at the VA...and history of drug abuse

Me: ya, it's kinda like being on the psych ward...everyone complains of hearing voices

Interviews...

Everyone's talking about residencies and interviews. You know what I tell them? I'm 100% on interview offers too. 100% of 0. 

Boom goes the dynamite!

ECT...

Saw an ECT this morning...it was a shockingly good time.

Rich people problems...

A friend's facebook status:

"People who drive luxury cars and complain via the drive-thru about meds that are less than $5 after insurance can die in a fire. Like seriously, go fuck yourself."

Amen brother. 

Tech problems...

Made a friend...

I made friends with a 3rd year med student who is also on a psych rotation and a part of the "medical team" with me. He says, "oh I love pharmacy students! You guys know so much about the medications!"

Then I nervously laughed.

Back at it...

Well, we are back at rotations after a nice and long winter break...the last winter break of our LIVES. The only break we have left between school and life is just before graduation for about 3 weeks.

Anyways, today I started my psych rotation at a renown west coast hospital. I am very VERY excited for this rotation as this will provide a strong base for my future as a community pharmacist...cuz we all know people all have their "issues" and need some meds.

My hours kinda blow at 730 am - 4 pm...but it works out just right in terms of beating all sorts of traffic chaos in California.