Welcome to the October 2023 PDA Education Update

We continue to support trainees in various ways, including with our online revision programme for those sitting the November assessment, a recent workshop on getting mentally prepared for exams, and the launch of our new Early Careers Network.

Trainee revision programme

As a trainee, the PDA can support you throughout your year. The revision programme is now open to those who are sitting the November assessment and will be available to those sitting the June assessment from early April. You can access it here.

The programme offers trainees access to mock exams, questions, and revision tips. It is free for all PDA trainee members. At the PDA, we want trainees to have access to quality revision support without having to spend money.

Following on from the summer assessment we wanted to find out more about how the support accessed has helped trainees. Here is an example of some of the feedback we received from trainees who used the revision programme this summer.

“A challenging course and mock assessment that, of many resources available, most closely reflects the level of difficulty to be expected from the CRA.” – Christine Hay

“There are so many expensive revision courses which try to pressure trainees to purchase them to ensure they pass the exam – I think it’s great that the PDA provide theirs free of charge, making it accessible to all!” – Rachel

Early Careers Network

The Early Careers Network is a space for trainee pharmacists and pharmacists in the first five years of their careers to connect with each other on the issues that matter to them. You also have a community to talk to other PDA members at similar stages of their careers and a space to share information and support with your peers.

You can read the recent Early Careers Network newsletter here.

Anne Davies, Community Pharmacist, PDA Wales and West England Regional Rep, NEC member, and PDA Rep in Boots recently attended the PDA Reps Health, Safety and Welfare training at Quorn Grange. The two-day programme brought pharmacists together to learn how to support and deal with common hazards found in pharmacies, the employer’s duties, and how to progress change.

The issues that arise around Health, Safety and Welfare are applicable to all members and knowing how to advocate for your and others’ health and safety is a large part of this programme.

When discussing the event, Anne said, “I learned so much regarding health, safety and welfare in the workplace that now feel empowered to take this learning back to my workplace and help to improve the working environment for members.”

Find out more about becoming a PDA Rep.

We have had a supportive summer of learning with our 2023 summer school. The programme gave you access to three brand new courses, which were all designed to help you with your interpersonal skills and support you as you progress in your career.

Interpersonal skills and the ability to build, maintain and manage relationships are a part of every role in pharmacy. At the PDA, we want to support all pharmacists to develop the breadth of skills needed in every role. We have also supported those PDA members who are looking for work or changing their roles with our programme on CV-writing and interview skills.

Sara Cunning, a PDA member who completed our CV-writing and interview skills course said, “I feel more educated on the preparations I must make before my pre-registration interviews in this, my third year of my MPharm degree, to give me the best chance at obtaining my favoured placement for my training year.”