182 Sue Wong

9 Jun

This episode pulls back the curtain on what really happens after pharmacy graduation, focusing on the complex transition from university life to professional responsibility. Sue Wong shares her candid experiences from her foundation year at Great Ormond Street Hospital, revealing the challenges and insights that universities don't typically prepare students for. The conversation covers everything from managing mental health and professional expectations to finding your footing in a demanding healthcare environment.

The 10 Critical Insights From Sue:

1. Mental Health and Professional Support Sue emphasises the importance of normalising mental health conversations among healthcare professionals. She shares her personal struggle with depression during her third year of university, highlighting how acknowledging the problem was the first crucial step. She discusses accessing both professional help through campus GP services and private counseling, while stressing that talking to friends made the biggest difference.

2. Navigating the Transition from University to Professional Life The shift from flexible student life to structured professional responsibilities represents a massive change that Sue describes as going "from zero to a hundred" in terms of professional responsibility. University life allows for self-directed schedules, casual dress, and the option to skip lectures or catch up later, while professional life demands punctuality, appropriate presentation, and consistent performance with real patients depending on your expertise.

3. Managing the Emotional Impact of Pediatric Healthcare Working at Great Ormond Street Hospital exposed Sue to the intense emotional challenges of pediatric medicine that case studies and guidelines cannot fully prepare you for. She describes the shock of seeing critically ill children in intensive care units, surrounded by complex medical equipment, and how this reality differs dramatically from the theoretical knowledge gained at university. The experience taught her to appreciate both life and the healthcare professionals who care for these vulnerable patients. Sue found that while the emotional toll was unexpected and continues to be challenging, it also enhanced her appreciation for the meaningful impact pharmacists can have on patient care and family support.

4. Developing Professional Communication Skills University teaches basic patient communication and clinical reasoning, but professional practice requires mastering multiple types of communication simultaneously. Sue had to learn how to hand over responsibilities to colleagues, educate nurses about drug administration, counsel parents on complex medication regimens, and present cases to multidisciplinary teams. The communication extends beyond patients to include building relationships with supervisors, receiving feedback constructively, and participating in professional assessments like mini-CEXs and case-based discussions.

5. Career Exploration and Self-Discovery Foundation year rotations through different specialties revealed interests Sue never expected to have. Initially planning to be a ward pharmacist focused on direct patient care, she discovered an unexpected enjoyment of medicines information work and research trials, despite previously thinking office-based roles weren't for her.

6. Leadership Development Through Extracurricular Activities Sue's involvement with BPSA transformed her from someone who typically followed others to someone comfortable with leadership responsibilities. She learned to appreciate team members' different skill sets, communication preferences, and working styles, developing skills in brainstorming, project management, and team coordination. Leadership taught her the importance of respecting people's time, accommodating different schedules, and making time to truly get to know team members.

7. Handling Professional Uncertainty and Responsibility The transition from having clear timetables and expectations as a student to managing independent professional judgment represents one of the biggest challenges Sue faced. As a newly qualified pharmacist, she had to develop systems for prioritising patients, planning daily workflows, and making clinical decisions with real consequences.

8. Time Management and Work-Life Balance Sue developed a rigorous routine that included waking at 5am to study before work, a schedule she initially thought impossible but which became sustainable and effective. She discovered that morning study sessions worked better than evening revision due to fatigue after work, and she strategically scheduled BPSA meetings during lunch breaks to preserve evening time for rest. Her approach emphasises the importance of building in regular breaks, maintaining social connections, and preserving activities that bring joy, even during intensive study periods.

9. Cultivating a Growth Mindset and Professional Curiosity Sue describes her approach to continuous learning as driven by curiosity and the recognition that expertise develops over time through repetition and exposure. She draws inspiration from working alongside specialist pharmacists and passionate colleagues, finding their enthusiasm contagious and motivating. Her growth mindset involves accepting that feeling unprepared or challenged is normal and temporary, reflecting on her university experience where each year felt overwhelming until she successfully completed it.

10. Self-Care Strategies for Sustainable Practice Building on her experience managing mental health challenges during university, Sue emphasises that self-care must be intentionally built into professional routines rather than treated as optional. She advocates for maintaining regular breaks, continuing enjoyable activities even when busy, and preserving social connections throughout challenging periods like exam preparation or intensive work phases. Sue learned that isolation, even for short periods, can be detrimental and that friends and colleagues often provide the reality check needed to maintain perspective.

This conversation reveals that the transition from pharmacy student to practicing pharmacist involves far more than applying clinical knowledge. Success requires developing emotional resilience, communication skills, professional relationships, and sustainable self-care practices while navigating the significant responsibility that comes with patient care. Sue's honest reflection demonstrates that feeling uncertain or overwhelmed is normal and that professional competence develops through experience, support from colleagues, and intentional skill development rather than innate confidence or perfect preparation.

💡 Sleep Better, Work Smarter
If you're a pharmacy student or pharmacist spending long hours in front of a screen (especially in the evenings like I do when working on the podcast!), I highly recommend checking out the blue light blocking glasses from Ocushield. They've made a huge difference to my sleep quality and reduced my eye fatigue—plus, the frames are super stylish!

🎁 I've found a 20% off family & friends discount that you can access through the link below. Treat yourself—you deserve it!

👉 Grab your discount here

JOIN MY NEWSLETTER COMMUNITY:

This isn't your typical pharmacy newsletter - it's a weekly mentoring session delivered straight to your inbox, packed with actionable insights for ambitious pharmacy students. Each week, I share:

Building multiple income streams while maintaining clinical practice
Time management secrets and productivity hacks I swear by ⚡
Systems and strategies that keep it all running smoothly ⚙️
Personal reflections on growth, failure, and resilience
Behind-the-scenes looks at podcast production and brand building

If you are ready to think differently about your future in pharmacy, sign up 👉⁠⁠ ⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠!

PARTNERSHIPS and DISCOUNTS:

The Naked Pharmacy is a brand I LOVE and use daily. They are offering my podcast listeners a 20% discount on all their products. Use discount code PD20 at checkout to receive the offer.

⁠⁠⁠https://www.thenakedpharmacy.com/⁠⁠⁠

🚀 Check out our Amazon storefront dedicated to podcasting gear! We will keep adding/reviewing the list but there’s a selection of microphones, audio interfaces, and more to help you elevate your podcasting game. Explore Our Storefront⁠⁠ ⁠Here⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH Sue:

Linkedin: Sue Wong

182 Sue Wong

181 Harvey John