128 Anisha Patel
In this week's SOLO episode, I take us on an insightful tour of the twists and turns of my pharmacy career. The episode provides an in-depth look at my career journey, sharing insights into the various pharmacy roles I have held and how each experience shaped my interests and passions.
If you'd like to visualise my career pathway, I've created a PDF Career Roadmap that you can access, for FREE, right here.
I discuss starting my career in hospital pharmacy before moving abroad to the UAE, where I worked in emergency medical services and helped transform their pharmacy operations. This exposed me to new skills like leadership, training, and project management outside of traditional clinical pharmacy.
Though rewarding, I felt isolated being the sole pharmacist and missed patient interaction, so I returned to hospital pharmacy. After having a child, my priorities shifted and I moved back to the UK, rebuilding my clinical skills through locum work. I then held roles across paediatrics, palliative care, and academia, finding my love for working with children. Teaching undergraduate pharmacy students helped me to find my true passion and launch the Pharmacist Diaries podcast. However, the demands of my job, a second baby and commute caused burnout. I emphasise the importance of reflection, stepping outside your comfort zone, and finding what brings you joy in your pharmacy career.
My pharmacy journey has been one of twists and turns, overcoming obstacles through perseverance, learning on the job, and playing to her strengths. My story provides an inspirational reminder that career paths rarely follow a straight line - unexpected opportunities can lead to discovering your true calling.
Key learnings from this episode:
Started my career in UK hospital pharmacy before moving to UAE. I faced the obstacle of lacking connections and struggled to find a pharmacy role. I overcame this by networking and persevering until an opportunity arose in emergency medical services.
Gained project management, leadership, and teaching skills in UAE - very different from a clinical pharmacist role in a hospital
I returned to hospital pharmacy in UAE to regain a pharmacy community and patient interaction. Faced work-life balance challenges after having a child, so moved back to UK.
Rebuilt clinical skills through locum work. Lacked confidence being away from NHS so reflected on strengths/experience to target 8a roles.
Discovered passion for paediatrics during maternity leave cover role. Combined this with teaching role which was a dream job for me! Faced burnout from demands of role, a second baby, and long commute. Resigned to prioritise my wellbeing.
Launched online business and Pharmacist Diaries podcast by following joy and creativity. Stepped outside comfort zone to grow a platform and build a community.
I emphasise the importance of reflection, discovering passions, taking chances on new ventures, and finding fulfillment in your pharmacy career.
If you'd like to visualise my career pathway, I've created a PDF Career Roadmap that you can access, for FREE, right here.
SIGN UP to my NEWSLETTER below so you’ll be the first to know when new episodes are being released. You’ll also receive regular inspiration, tips, tools, and free content. https://pharmacistdiaries.ck.page/newsletter
PARTNERSHIPS:
The Naked Pharmacy is offering my podcast listeners a 20% discount on all their products. Use discount code PD20 at checkout to receive the offer.
Healf is offering my podcast listeners a 10% discount on all their products. Use the following link to purchase products and the discount code will be applied at checkout.
FREE PDF GUIDE:
5 Steps to Streamline Your Week and Add 5 Extra Hours to Your Schedule! Inside these digital pages, you'll discover a carefully crafted strategy designed to bring order to the chaos, providing you with the keys to unlock additional time in your week. As we step into a new year, it's the perfect moment to redefine how you approach your days, allowing you to reclaim precious hours for what truly matters. Let's make 2024 the year of transformation and unparalleled efficiency!
Don’t miss out on all this FREE content friends. Here’s the link to snag that FREE pdf!
EDITED BY:
Sunjay Vyas: https://www.sunjav.uk/
Follow me on My Website, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and/or Twitter. Feel free to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite podcast platform so you can be notified when a new episode is released or leave a review on apple podcasts. If you have any suggestions for guests you want me to talk to or if you’d like to come on yourself, please feel free to contact me via social media, or email at info@pharmacistdiaries.com.
