After having an interest in chemistry and encouragement from her parents to follow a career in pharmacy, Vanessa, a Pharmacist Support Ambassador, recently completed her trainee pharmacist year in community and GP settings. She now hopes to go into the cosmetics and aesthetics industry. In the meantime, she shares how she avoided burnout so she could make the most out of personal and professional growth during the foundation training year.
Before beginning my foundation training, I had very high expectations of myself.
I expected to complete a significant amount of revision and portfolio work after every working day while balancing the demands of full-time employment. In reality, the transition from university life to working full time was much more challenging than I anticipated. Adjusting to the workload, routine and responsibilities took time, and I quickly realised the importance of being realistic with my expectations.
One lesson I learnt early on was to stay focused on my own development, portfolio and registration assessment. Every placement is different, and trainees receive varying levels of support, opportunities and supervision. It can be discouraging to compare yourself to others, particularly if your placement is not exactly what you had hoped for.
Balancing full-time work alongside revision, portfolio completion and maintaining a personal life was undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges of the trainee year.
After a full day at work, I often felt mentally exhausted but still felt pressure to continue studying. Over time, this approach led to burnout and made it more difficult to maintain consistency with both revision and portfolio tasks.
One key insight I learnt was the importance of allowing myself time to rest without feeling guilty. Taking regular breaks, spending time with family and friends, and engaging in activities outside of pharmacy helped me return to work feeling more refreshed and motivated. Looking after your wellbeing is not a distraction from your training, rather it is essential for maintaining long-term productivity and preventing burnout. Especially since I have been suffering with chronic stress for as long as I can remember, finding an outlet that provides a sense of calm amidst the commitments of being a trainee pharmacist allowed me to step away from the pressure, restore my sense of balance and fundamentally, decrease my cortisol levels.
I was fortunate to work alongside pharmacists who were supportive, patient and always willing to share their knowledge.
Their encouragement gave me the confidence to ask questions, learn from mistakes and continue developing my clinical and professional skills. Regular meetings with my supervisor also played an important role in keeping my portfolio on track and ensuring I was making steady progress throughout the year. Equally significant was the support I received from my family, who consistently encouraged and motivated me during the more demanding periods of training.
The foundation year has helped me develop both professionally and personally.
Working in busy community pharmacy and GP settings has strengthened my ability to remain calm under pressure, particularly when managing challenging situations or communicating with unhappy patients.
The fast-paced nature of pharmacy has improved my organisational and multitasking skills, enabling me to prioritise competing demands effectively. Most importantly, caring for patients with sensitive concerns has reinforced the importance of empathy and adapting each consultation to meet the individual needs of the person in front of me. These experiences have helped me grow in confidence and prepared me for the responsibilities of becoming a registered pharmacist.
The trainee year passes much more quickly than you expect, so make the most of every opportunity to learn.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek feedback and learn from mistakes, they are all part of becoming a competent pharmacist.
Most importantly, give yourself grace. You have already successfully completed four years of an MPharm degree to reach this stage, so trust in your abilities. There will inevitably be challenging days but remember that they are temporary and contribute to your growth as both a healthcare professional and an individual.
Finally, prioritise your mental wellbeing. The trainee year is demanding, but maintaining a healthy balance between work, study and personal life will make the experience far more manageable. Looking after yourself will ultimately allow you to perform at your best and enjoy the journey towards becoming a pharmacist.
