First Shadowing Opportunity - advice?

Started by CorrieNC
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CorrieNC

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This weekend I am going get to shadow a clinical pharmacist for the first time. It will be all day in a hospital setting, I also will be talking with a current pharmacy student that works with the pharmacist.

Is there anything I should do in preparation? What are some good questions to ask or things I should take note of? Is one day enough or should I pursue more shadowing time?

I was planning on wearing a nice polo and kaki's, is that appropriate?

I am very excited (even though I know it will probably be a bit dull), so I appreciate any advice you have to offer.
 
Khakis and a polo should be perfect. As far as trying to get questions together, it depends on your current level of knowledge of the field.

Some definite questions I would ask the pharmacist: Where did you go to school? Why did you become a pharmacist, and did you consider anything else? What's your opinion on where pharmacy is going?

These few questions would be enough to get the conversation going. Don't ask all of your questions at once, either. Let the pharmacist answer and follow their train of thought, and then if you hit a lull, pull out another question.
 
Khakis and a polo should be perfect. As far as trying to get questions together, it depends on your current level of knowledge of the field.

Some definite questions I would ask the pharmacist: Where did you go to school? Why did you become a pharmacist, and did you consider anything else? What's your opinion on where pharmacy is going?

These few questions would be enough to get the conversation going. Don't ask all of your questions at once, either. Let the pharmacist answer and follow their train of thought, and then if you hit a lull, pull out another question.

Ask what he likes/dislikes about his job. Ask what lead him to his current job (what positions did he have in the past for instance). Try to get a feel for what the responsibilities of the pharmacists there are. You can inquire about the hospital as well: number of beds, how the pharmacy is setup, etc.