Choosing professional organizations

[Rx MPLS]

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If you're a student or practicing pharmacist, which (if any) professional pharmacy organizations are you a member of? Which professional pharmacy organizations do you like or dislike, and why? What was the most useful thing you've gotten out of your professional organization memberships?

I'm just curious who gets involved and what they get out of their respective organizations...there are so many to choose from, and some seem to encroach on each other. It might also help if you mention what type of pharmacy you are interested in or currently working in.

 

[owlegrad]

I was a member of ASP for awhile, due to it being a requirement for an activity that I wanted to do. I would say my utility was minimal, other than the one activity it was required for. Other than that, I have a pretty negative attitude about them in general.

YMMV, of course.

 

[deleted205891]

I've been a member of APhA-ASP ever since my U1 year, and an active member since my P1 year (our school pays for 1 professional organization membership per year, though now I don't think they do it for the freshmen). Though its utility for practicing pharmacists is questionable, I think it's the organization with the most potential for student involvement. It is also the only pharmacy organization where students can get involved in advocacy. I will most likely not be a member next year though unless I'm persuaded otherwise.

I only joined ASHP this year for the Midyear discount. Otherwise, I know they do things on campus, just not as much as our APhA-ASP chapter (I believe our chapter was the largest in the country when I was on chapter E-board, so maybe that is why).

I am also a member of our state pharmacy association, and I think it's very beneficial to be involved on a local level as a student. Time will tell whether I'm still a member next year as a federal pharmacist who really doesn't fall under the auspices of the state board/laws.

 

[glory4england]

I'm a P3 about to go on to my rotations, I was in various student organizations through my three years, here's my take on some of them -

NCPA (member for 1 year) - really great organization if you're interested in doing independents, has a lot of benefits including scholarships, loans, workshops, networking with independents looking to pass on their stores, etc... I realized independents is not for me so I didn't stay on.

State Pharmacy Association - All students from our school are given free membership, doesn't really do anything for us except like a 10% discount on our law book.

APhA- member for 4 years, get a free NAPLEX study guide, but was never really involved much with the school chapter here, joined mainly to support them since I'm involved in the student council of our school

ASHP and TSHP - 4 years, discount to midyear and to state meeting, was involved in a couple of committees state level but nothing major, stayed on because I usually/want to present posters at midyear/state meetings and to learn more about residency

KY/PDC/KE/other fraternity - great way to meet friends

I'm also involved with other smaller organizations at my school like CPFI (Christian Pharmacy Fellowship International) MAPSA & VAPPS (Mexican and Vietnamese Pharmacists) and SIPS (Industrial), but those have to do more with my duty with the student council at our school rather than for professional developments.

 

[mustang sally]

Good question. I was a member of numerous associations during school, but now that I'm graduating, I'm wondering which ones will be worth it to continue on in.

 

[rxlea]

Meh... I'm not overly impressed with the fraternities. They seem clique-ish. I dropped PDC for various reasons. I'm a member of the state association, SSHP, and APhA. I go to annual and will be going to Midyear this year. Other than that, I don't really get much benefit. Sometimes SSHP brings in good lecturers.

 

[pharm B]

APhA seems to have the loudest voice when it comes to general advocacy, so I've kept my membership with them while a student. After graduation, I plan on keeping it for a year or two while pushing for them to advocate and push certain changes (like adding us to the healthcare reform act). If they don't do it, I'll drop my membership.

ASHP is the voice of the hospital/clinical pharmacist, and they also advocate at the state and national level. I love the Clinical Skills Competitions done on the local and state level (have yet to go to Midyear). Kept it the whole time, and will probably make this my "one" real organization after graduation.

SNPhA I've all but ignored. It seems like APhA but with a mission statement that they wish to advance only minorities in pharmacy. I've never heard anything from the national organization like I have with APhA and ASHP.

The frats are good for networking, and alumni dues are optional.

State level organizations can be nice, but you have to ask what they're doing with your money. Here in Texas, we saw Medicaid reimbursements drop to a looooow low, and some independents are closing as a result. Where was TPA when that happened?

 

[delano2000]

I can echo what some of the other posters have posted about regarding orgs and frats. Personally, I love the 2 organizations and the frat that I am a part of (biased towards APhA-ASP since I am the chapter president).

APhA-ASP opened a lot of doors for me when it comes to networking with members from other schools and practitioners in general. I love the fact that our chapter and state org has a real infliuence in what happens in my neck of the woods.

ASHP/CSHP is a nice way to network with members from the clinical/hospital setting.

Currently in PDC as well. Lots of networking opportunities.

All in all, these organizations can have a huge impact on you in the future (from my experiences). Lots of networking opportunities.