Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

How long should you study for the NAPLEX?

As a pharmacy student gearing up to take the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), determining how long to study for this crucial test can be a daunting decision. The NAPLEX is a standardized exam that pharmacy graduates must pass in order to practice pharmacy in the United States. When contemplating your study timeline, consider these three essential factors: your familiarity with the content, your study resources, and your personal learning preferences. Balancing these aspects effectively can be key to achieving success on the NAPLEX and advancing towards your pharmacy career goals.

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Pharmacy Residency, Pharmacy School, Pharmacy Career Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Pharmacy Residency, Pharmacy School, Pharmacy Career Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

Pharmacy Residency Q&A: Does Your Pharmacy School Ranking Matter When You Apply for a Residency?

Each year U.S. News & World Report releases their rankings for the Best Pharmacy Programs in the United States, but does your pharmacy school ranking actually matter? Will going to a top rated pharmacy school program improve your chances of matching into a residency program? Let’s get into it…

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Patient Care, New Pharmacist, Pharmacy Career Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Patient Care, New Pharmacist, Pharmacy Career Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

What Kate Middleton’s Cancer Diagnosis Can Teach Us About Patient Care

It turns out, while the world was speculating and spreading conspiracy theories, Kate Middleton was dealing with a cancer diagnosis. As a mother and a public figure she had to balance sharing this sensitive situation with her children, but also the world. While most patients don’t have to cope with a difficult diagnosis in the eyes of media, there are lessons that can be learned about how we can improve patient care for those who receive a similar diagnosis

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New Pharmacist, Pharmacy Residency, Pharmacy Career Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS New Pharmacist, Pharmacy Residency, Pharmacy Career Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

5 Things To Do After You Match at a Pharmacy Residency

As you absorb the news of your match, you may find yourself contemplating the next steps in your journey. Transitioning from the anticipation of match day to planning for the upcoming months before your residency starts is a crucial period. With the months ahead of you, it’s wise to use this time to equip yourself for the demanding year or two awaiting you. To help pave the way for a successful pharmacy residency, here are five essential steps that all incoming residents should prioritize.

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Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

Navigating Personnel Placement Service (PPS) at ASHP Midyear with Dr. Micaela Hayes

PPS or the Personnel Placement Service could be a game changer for your pharmacy career, but what exactly is PPS? How should you prepare? Is it really worth the cost? Dr. Micaela Hayes and I dive into navigating the PPS process at ASHP Midyear so you are ready to make the most out of your ASHP Midyear experience!

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Pharmacy Career, Burnout, New Pharmacist Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Pharmacy Career, Burnout, New Pharmacist Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

Empowering Women in Pharmacy: A Journey Through History and a Path Forward with Dr. Carlene Link

Women have been involved in pharmacy since they were called apothecaries, but as the profession transitioned into modern medicine, women were left behind. It wasn’t until the mid to late 1800s that women were being recognized as pharmacists. In this special episode for Women Pharmacists Day, Dr. Carlene Link and I discuss the current state of women in pharmacy, our experience as women pharmacists, and our predictions for the future of pharmacy.

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New Pharmacist, Board Certification Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS New Pharmacist, Board Certification Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

The Pharmacist’s Guide to Board Certification: Pros and Cons

Join me as I dive into the world of board certification in pharmacy specialties. If you're a recent pharmacy graduate, in a residency, or within two years of graduation, this is just for you.

Discover the pros and cons, gain insights on making the right choice, and get ready for a deeper dive into this important career decision.

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Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

Stop Email Overwhelm: My Strategy for Tackling Your Email Inbox as a Busy Pharmacist

Inbox overwhelm is a real thing. If you have ever stared at your inbox hoping all the emails would magically disappear, you understand what I'm talking about. I’ve been there. That’s why I wanted to share how I manage the 15,000 emails that come through my inbox each month as an investigational drug service pharmacist, as well as my organizational strategies to keep everything straight.

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Pharmacy School, Pharmacy Career Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Pharmacy School, Pharmacy Career Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

What pharmacist career path is best? Community, Hospital, or Industry Pharmacy

Pharmacists play a crucial role in healthcare, but their many roles often remain underappreciated by the general public. While most people are familiar with community pharmacists, those who work in hospitals or the pharmaceutical industry often work behind the scenes. Here, I dive into the three of the more common pharmacist roles: Community Pharmacy, Hospital Pharmacy, and Industry Pharmacy.

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Pharmacy Residency Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Pharmacy Residency Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

Pharmacy Residency Survival Guide: Co-Resident Edition

Completing a pharmacy residency comes with it’s own set of unique challenges. You may need to move across the country, spend time away from loved ones, and experience some of the most challenging work hours you’ve ever encountered. Another challenge that many residents face is building relationships with their co-residents. Whether you have one co-resident or one dozen co-residents, this episode is designed to help you set realistic expectations surrounding your relationship with your co-residents.

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How to Boost Your Clinical Confidence in Just 30 Days

Graduating from pharmacy school is a significant accomplishment, but the journey of learning doesn't end there. The transition into real-world practice can often lead to a lack of confidence, even after completing additional training such as residency. I'm excited to share with you the number one strategy that can improve your clinical confidence in the next 30 days and I am breaking it down step-by-step.

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Imposter Syndrome, New Pharmacist, Pharmacy Residency, Pharmacy School Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Imposter Syndrome, New Pharmacist, Pharmacy Residency, Pharmacy School Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

What a Sandwich Taught Me About Confidence

There was a time in my life, however, when his words would have bothered me a lot more than they did that day. In fact, there was a time in the not-so-distant past where I wouldn’t have considered eating a meal by myself. My confidence has grown and so have I. Which is why I want to share 3 things I’ve learned about confidence since making it a priority in my life.

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Pharmacy School, New Pharmacist, Pharmacy Residency Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Pharmacy School, New Pharmacist, Pharmacy Residency Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

Why You Should Start a Personal Brand as a Pharmacist

Through my 4.5-year journey with Happy Pharm Life, I've experienced incredible opportunities, from speaking at pharmacy conferences to going on a behind-the-scenes experience with NASA, thanks to my personal brand. So let’s explore why building your personal brand matters, even if you're not into social media.

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Pharmacy School Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Pharmacy School Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

Study Smarter, Not Harder: 3 Essential Tricks for Pharmacy Students

Starting pharmacy school is exciting as you prepare for your future as a pharmacist; however, the reality of pharmacy school is spending countless hours studying medications. While learning these medications is a critical part of becoming a successful pharmacy student, there are ways to optimize your study strategy, save time, and still find academic success.

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Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

We moved our pharmacy…here’s what I learned

If you’ve had the pleasure of moving, you know how many things go into making it happen: the packing, the planning, the logistics. Now, add in a few Board of Pharmacy regulations and some FDA Clinical Trials requirements and you have what it takes to move an investigational drug service pharmacy. This was the task at hand for us recently which required several planning meetings as well as coordinating with multiple teams from IT to architects to electricians in order to make it happen! During the process I learned a few lessons…

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Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

Pharmacists: How Are You, Really?

The truth is, being a pharmacist is a difficult job. We hold a great responsibility to patient care that often conflicts the metrics and bottom line that the business side of the job is constantly tracking. So, when someone asks how we are doing, what if we said our typical “good” in passing but took that as an opportunity to reflect more. What if we took it a step further and asked, “How are you, really?”

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Burnout, New Pharmacist, Pharmacy Residency, Pharmacy School Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Burnout, New Pharmacist, Pharmacy Residency, Pharmacy School Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

5 Ways to Reduce Stress During Your Shift at the Pharmacy

Working in a pharmacy can often feel like navigating through a storm of prescriptions, inquiries, and time-sensitive tasks. Whether you're a pharmacist, a technician, an intern, or a resident, the demands of the job can quickly lead to stress and overwhelm. By incorporating these stress-relieving strategies into your rough shifts, you'll be better equipped to go through your workday with a sense of calm and control.

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Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS Sierra Richard, PharmD, BCPPS

The Secret to NAPLEX Success

As a pharmacist, one of the most significant challenges you'll face is the NAPLEX exam—the ultimate test of your pharmacy knowledge and skills. However, succeeding in this high-stakes exam isn't solely determined by the number of hours you spend studying.

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