Finding my Script
It started with shelves of medication bottles; all lined up alphabetically. "Count by Five" I was told on my first day and handed a metal spatula with a wooden handle. "Line the label up just right," we call that pharmaceutical elegance. You know, it's been 18 years since my first pharmacy manager told me that, and it's still a phrase when training a new hire. But, because the term is valid, there is an elegance to the pharmacy, which makes it a unique career.
I had just turned 18 and was officially starting as a technician in the pharmacy. I was only available after 5 pm and on the weekends. Looking back, with that availability, I'm not sure why they hired me, but I am grateful they did! I loved the crisp feeling of the pharmacy labels and then the endless learning potential. Back then, the labels and leaflets were printed on the same paper. Long before the invention of the thermal printer. That paper carried weight, and on the other side of the paper was a section labeled "indication," which was my favorite.
As I would walk to the shelf to find the drug, I would read what it was for and try my hardest to commit it to memory.
Fast forward 18 years, and while it hasn't always been perfect, the career has served me well. Even after periods of burnout and questioning my career choice, I still find a thrill in tackling a counseling session in the pharmacy. Or an opportunity to teach someone new to the profession a task or educate them on a topic.
Looking back on that young aspiring woman, the pharmacy was a great landing spot. It opened many doors and introduced me to some of the best people I know. Cheers to every mentor, pharmacist, technician, intern, or supervisor I've had the pleasure of working with. Each of you has made me a little bit better and collectively fulfilled my life with your presence. You've left a mark on me.