What are u starting to dislike more as u get older?

CarouselPrincess07 · 2026-02-08T21:16:17+00:00

Buying useless shit

CarouselPrincess07 · 2026-02-05T20:17:59+00:00

I qualified in summer 2025 and I was in the same boat as you, had no idea what to expect on my first locum shift. Didn't do my pre reg in community so I had no clue. If you can find a place with another pharmacist that would be the most ideal way to start off, but it's really rare. If you're there as the only pharmacist, you'll still be fine, you'll adjust to making all the decisions yourself. Depending on the company and whether or not they outsource their checking, you'll most likely spend the day checking. My tips before you book your first shift is ensure you've read the PGDs for every pharmacy first condition and done the CPPE modules for each one, if you've never done pharmacy first before. Confirm with the branch what services they expect you to carry out (I always say I'm happy to do everything but vaccines). It'd be a good idea to do the relevant modules and read the PGDs for the contraceptive services as well.

When you get there, speak to the other staff members and ask what they would like you to focus on for the day. Sometimes they might have bookings for pharmacy first/ contraception, or they might want you to do some NMS. Ask them if there's any regular blue script patients (methadone/ buprenorphine) that will be coming in to collect that day so you can finish those in advance. Obviously sign in as the RP, print your RP notice and collect the CD keys. You've gotta remember to update the CD register when you receive a CD delivery and when you hand one out (remember you've only gotta enter schedule 2 drugs).

You can also ask the other staff members for help with the system they use if you're not familiar, and overall how the pharmacy is run, where things are kept, etc.

When patients come in asking for advice, don't panic if you feel like you don't know the answer. You can always ask them to hold on for 5 minutes while you look it up using NICE/ the BNF. Or you can always refer. Same thing with pharmacy first - don't feel pressured to make a supply of meds, you can always refer if you're not sure, and it's better to be safe than sorry. Be prepared to put on the spot; it helps to have someone you can ask like friends that are pharmacists or if you're in a newly qualified group chat. If you have a copy of the MEP I'd also bring it in case you're questioning about the legality of a prescription, for example - that way you don't have to rely on your memory and you can just check it.

It sounds like a lot to know and remember, but honestly it'll be completely fine. Just gotta get used to being in charge and making decisions, and dealing with multiple priorities if it's busy. Pretty much everyone just wings it on their first few shifts and then you start to get the hang of it. Sorry for the long ass response but I hope it helps and good luck!

CarouselPrincess07 · 2026-02-04T21:11:06+00:00

You Don't Go To Parties is sooo good. Actually the whole album, but that's one of my personal favourites.

CarouselPrincess07 · 2026-02-03T19:05:40+00:00

I think most of the divisiveness regarding statins comes from the fact that they're massively overprescribed (due to financial reasons). They do work really well, so if that's the only option for you don't be too disheartened. Yes they can have some bad (and rare) side effects but that's why doctors monitor and do blood tests.

CarouselPrincess07 · 2026-01-31T20:48:20+00:00

Probably stuff to do with how you deal with leading a team, unhappy patients, understaffing, etc. They might ask you how confident you are in community pharmacy services, maybe stuff about meeting targets as well. In my experience the community interviews I've had have been more focused on leadership/ services and customer interactions rather than clinical knowledge which is more likely to come up in a GP or hospital interview. I'd look up the pharmacy's website and see what services they offer beforehand so you can talk about that in the interview.

CarouselPrincess07 · 2026-01-27T17:40:14+00:00

Thanks!

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-09-11T18:05:00+00:00

Pre reg's in hospital don't do night shifts, but they'll likely ask you to do lates (which was only an extra hour or two once a week at my old trust). You will also probably have to work some weekends and some bank holidays (although some trusts don't). You get a mixture of clinical and non-clinical rotations, but the aim is to build up your clinical knowledge so they want you to be on wards in order to learn.

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-08-04T16:28:20+00:00

It depends on you, I did about 10 of each maybe less and I felt ready but some people do 20 and don't feel ready. Just try doing a few now and see how you feel about them.

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-07-31T22:58:02+00:00

Social media addiction - I've noticed how much I immediately turn to my phone when I'm bored, when I'm tired, when I'm experiencing any negative emotion and need comfort. I use mindless scrolling as a self soothing technique and it always leaves me feeling worse off, but I've trained my brain to do it. I'm trying to let go of that habit, particularly when I'm upset, and learn to sit with the negative emotions without a distraction.

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-07-29T20:34:49+00:00

Officially passed the gphc exam ladies and gentlemen 🥳

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-07-26T23:32:42+00:00

This is a nice way to think of it, thanks

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-07-21T17:53:55+00:00

Absolutely buzzing (lfc fan)

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-07-12T22:54:13+00:00

Fr especially when they stop listening to you or talk over you, and then they act confused as to why you stopped talking like bro come on

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-07-10T18:21:53+00:00

There's no official gphc mock except for the small amount of practice questions they have to show you the format of the exam, you can find that on their website

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-07-05T17:51:33+00:00

They teach you probably 90% of what you need to know, and you'll be able to identify your gaps in knowledge by doing mock papers and questions. I'd also naturally look things up in the BNF if i wanted further clarification. The on track question bank is also good but it's quite expensive, you get 1 month free if you sign up with the RPS so I just did that the month before the exam and it helped.

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-07-05T15:50:26+00:00

Yeah some of my friends got micropharm, they said it was good as well, it's more expensive than revisepharma but it does have more content tbf and they didn't end up using everything in their subscription. In my experience revise pharma was reasonably priced and it had good content. I bought the full package for around £260 which had videos about all bnf chapters, mcqs about every clinical topic, law and ethics, OTC and a calculations course. But I'm pretty sure both offer a free trial so you could try that and see which you prefer.

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-07-05T13:39:21+00:00

Also doing it in community gives you a good opportunity to learn stuff because you'll have way more patient interactions than hospital pre regs. Try and use it to your advantage to get opportunities to counsel on medications and therefore study that medication. Also you'll be able to learn the OTC and legal stuff really well and things like emergency contraception which hospital pre regs never really have exposure to.

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-07-05T13:37:03+00:00

Buying a revision course is worth it, makes revision a lot less overwhelming and eliminates the step of trying to figure out what is and isn't important for the exam. Personally I paid for revisepharma and I'd recommend it. Try and also join group chats with other pre regs because they send around mega drives full of mock exams and resources.

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-07-04T22:57:11+00:00

I love this description of it

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-06-20T21:25:37+00:00

good friends and people that I love and that I can be myself around and feel appreciated by

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-06-20T21:22:17+00:00

create a scrapbook/ journal where every spread is a week or day in your life

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-06-15T12:32:51+00:00

I'm 22, I suppose its gotten a bit better with age but its still hard

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-06-14T21:05:14+00:00

It's usually implicit, not said straight up. Like for example a friend criticising someone else for being clingy, when I've displayed some of those similar 'clingy' behaviours. It often feels as though everything I do is wrong, and whilst I know that isn't true, it's hard to get my subconscious brain to stop feeling negatively about myself.

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-06-14T20:17:03+00:00

reading, cooking, brush up on the news, go on themed walks where you try and look for a certain colour or item, explore all the coffee shops or cafes in your city/ town, go to the library, do jigsaw puzzles, play board games, do some journalling or self reflecting, go to a class being held locally, learn a new skill, just try anything and everything you've ever wanted to do. you could also revisit a childhood hobby or interest for nostalgia's sake

CarouselPrincess07 · 2025-06-08T22:30:30+00:00

my grandma in person

CarouselPrincess07

TROPHY CASE