An Alumna's Advice to Aspiring Pharmacists

Fellow alumna Fatima M. Elzin ’15Pharm.D. shares her experiences as an in-patient pharmacist at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital throughout the pandemic and offers advice to aspiring pharmacists. 

Can you walk us through a typical day of an in-patient pharmacist?

It can look different depending on where I work in the pharmacy that day. So, suppose I’m in the central pharmacy or working at our satellite location. In that case, it mainly consists of verifying orders in the queue while managing phone calls and medication requests from doctors and nurses. We have recently started decentralizing pharmacists, so some of us work in the units directly with physicians and nurses while also counseling patients. 

What made you interested in in-patient pharmacy, and was this role something you always wanted to pursue?

I never imagined myself as an in-patient pharmacist. I started in retail and felt unfulfilled in that role, so I transitioned into the hospital setting—a great decision. I’m utilizing much of the clinical knowledge I gained in school and learning much more on the job.

There are many different career paths in the pharmaceutical world. If you were a student again deciding on which pharmaceutical career to pursue, what questions would you ask yourself? 

If I were a student again, I’d ask myself what I’m genuinely passionate about or what subjects/ areas in health care spark excitement in me and proceed to gain experience in those areas. 

The pandemic made many reflect on the importance of our pharmaceutical community. I’d love to hear about the mid-pandemic days from an inside perspective. 

Working during the pandemic was a life-changing experience. I felt happy that I was able to help during the pandemic, but it was also very overwhelming. Not only were the hospitals packed and our workload increased but seeing how many people were genuinely affected by this was a heartbreaking experience. 

How would you describe your work-life balance as an in-patient pharmacist?

My work-life balance is good. I work 12-hour shifts three days a week and four days the following week. Although 12-hour shifts can be a little brutal, I have more time off. Vacation time is also great; I usually take off one week per month (only two working days off due to the 12-hour shifts) and try to get away as much as possible!

Did you take on any internships or jobs that have benefitted your career? 

Before graduating, I was a Resident Assistant at St. John’s for five years; this was probably my favorite position. I also interned at CVS for four years. 

Looking from the perspective of a pharmacy student in clinical rotations, was there anything you experienced entering the field that took you by surprise? 

Yes, absolutely everything! Working as a pharmacist is a different experience than being an intern or learning as a student. When I started, I often received advice to use my “clinical judgment.” However, fresh out of school, you don’t have much! It took me some time before I could utilize everything I learned in school and everything I experienced on the job to make better clinical decisions. 

Did you have any favorite memories during your time in the pharmacy program?

My favorite memories involve my time with many classmates; we were tight-knit, and the countless hours we spent studying together—or at least trying to—were always a good time.

What would you say if you had to advise anyone in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences? 

I would emphasize trying your best to find an area in which you are genuinely passionate. Suppose you cannot find something while in school, after a few years of experience, hopefully, you’ll have a better idea of what sparks joy in you. You spend most of your day at work, and it’s much more enjoyable when you pursue your passion. 

Not a question but a sentiment: Thank you for contributing to our healthcare industry! Your work does not go unrecognized.