2016 has seen a strong cohort of pre-registration students – we’ve had the highest registration pass rate in recent years. It boosts our confidence and inspires us to make a difference with our practice. We’re equipped with extensive knowledge that we have worked incredibly hard to acquire over the past five years. But was it all worth it?

By focussing too hard on passing the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC) exam, you can forget to consider what comes next. The exam may seem like the most daunting hurdle to overcome – but this isn’t quite the case. There are a few more hurdles to go and they can be even tougher.

The period between completing our training and becoming employed as a pharmacist can feel uncertain. Many of us forget there is a certain amount of investment required – both financially and time-wise – before you get your first job. 

We must apply to be on the GPhC register, get professional indemnity insurance, sign up to locum agencies and complete medicines use review, emergency hormonal contraception and flu jab courses. 

The list can seem endless and confusing, and the expenses do stack up – because without these attributes we are deemed unemployable by prospective pharmacy employers.

After all this, there is no guarantee of a job at the end. This period of unemployment and the need for regular locum jobs or a permanent position is the main worry amongst us newly qualified pharmacists. 

Locum rates have dramatically decreased over the past 20 years. What is more worrying is that with nearly 3,000 potential new pharmacists joining the register following June's exam – there is fierce competition. Employers can take advantage, knowing that there will be someone out there willing to work for a lower rate. This domino effect is detrimental. 

Newly qualified pharmacists face being unemployed if we don’t accept these lower rates. This is why we are trying to build a loyal community of freshly qualified students who are deciding together what rates are below what we consider acceptable. Our value and skills must be recognised and we shouldn’t undersell ourselves.

The threat of budget cuts means the current pharmacy climate is uncertain. Can our roles be replaced by robots and other healthcare professionals? If so, where do we turn our skills to? What does the future hold for newly qualified pharmacists?

Our reaction is split. Some of us are disillusioned with pharmacy and are heading down entirely different routes – such as dentistry or medicine – while others are applying their skills elsewhere, in industries such as health informatics, health policy or PhDs. So do not be disheartened if you realise the traditional pharmacy roles are not for you – try something else.

The other half of us are passionate about community – or hospital – pharmacy, but there are certain worries about the future. Many of my friends are discouraged by cynical pharmacists who have been in the game for 20 or 30 years. This can be disheartening if we are made to feel five years were wasted. Luckily, my pharmacy friends are optimistic and that is how it should be.
 
This blog is not written to discourage current pre-reg trainees or those that are newly qualified – rather it is highlighting the problems we will face and help us consider a solution.

So what are my plans? It is all about planning it step by step. At the moment, I am a little unsure as to what my career path will be, but I am exploring some ideas. I love to write, so perhaps there is a future for me in scientific journalism or writing. 

In the meantime, I intend to locum to keep me going. My advice to newly qualified pharmacists is: follow what you’re passionate about and do not settle for less. 

And never forget: pharmacists are awesome, and we have a lot to offer.

Listen to C+D's podcast on standing out as a newly qualified pharmacist: