Student Spotlight – Megan Ragsdale Shares Her IPPE Rotation Experience

Megan Ragsdale recently finished her first year of CHSU’s College of Pharmacy program in the spring of 2018. As part of the four year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program, first year pharmacy students, who have finished their coursework for the academic year, begin their summer Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs). This first IPPE rotation includes 160 hours in a community pharmacy working under the supervision of a Pharmacist as an Intern Pharmacist.
Megan just completed her first IPPE rotation at Rite Aid Pharmacy, under the supervision of her preceptor Tony Cho, PharmD, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to interview her and find out more about her experience completing her first IPPE rotation and why she chose a career in pharmacy. Here is what she had to say:
Why did you decide to pursue a career in pharmacy?
I was inspired by my mother, who is also a pharmacist, to pursue a career in health care at a very young age. CHSU College of Pharmacy allowed me to stay close to my family and friends, while following in my mother’s footsteps and pursuing a career in pharmacy.
What do you like about the pharmacy profession?
I love the pharmacy profession because I want to be a valuable member of the health care team. Being able to interact directly with patients, while providing them with the tools and medications to get healthy, allows me to give back to my community.
What was your experience like at Rite Aid?
I had a very positive experience during my rotation at Rite Aid. The workplace culture at my location was very friendly and open towards helping me to learn and grow in my skills. The entire pharmacy staff welcomed me with open arms and were all willing to teach me from the ground up, since I had never stepped foot behind the pharmacy counter before and needed guidance. I learned so much in a very short period of time from customer service and counseling patients, to refilling and recording a prescription by phone. I hope to have the opportunity to work with this particular store again.
What did you enjoy about your IPPE experience?
I mostly enjoyed helping and interacting with patients. I also enjoyed seeing firsthand what it is like to work at a retail pharmacy because from an outsider’s perspective behind the counter may appear to be a very calm, relaxed, and slow environment, but come to find out it is quite the opposite. It is always extremely hectic and there is constantly something to do or catch up on every day.
Tell us about one thing your pharmacy preceptor taught you
My preceptor, Dr. Tony Cho taught me when to slow down, put other duties aside, and focus on the one patient who needs you most. For example, there was one time that the pharmacy was very busy and this elderly lady kept saying that she could not read the prescription labels on the bottle and needed assistance. Dr. Cho stopped what he was doing and took the time he needed to help her in a calm, empathetic manner.
Is there any advice you would like to give to students that will start their IPPEs next summer?
Absolutely! The advice I would like to give to students is to soak up all the information, be willing to learn, and do not be afraid to ask questions. This pharmacy staff is there to help you learn and answer any questions along the way. This will help you to get the most out of your IPPE rotation.
Great advice, thanks Megan! We hope to feature more Student Spotlights in our future blog posts, so we can share the experience of being a pharmacy student with others. Add a comment here and tell us if you would like to share your interesting student story or if you have an idea for an upcoming student spotlight!