Do I need a schedule for an APPE rotation?
Pharmacists—do you have a rotation schedule for your students?
For pharmacy residents and new practitioners, especially when precepting for the first time, having a structured schedule can be very helpful. It guides students through daily responsibilities and helps them make the most of their rotation experience. While each school provides its own learning objectives and checklists, the core components should be consistent and aligned with real-world pharmacy practice. Organizations like the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists offer valuable resources for preceptors, so be sure to explore them
In my experience, using a structured schedule encourages students to be more active, take initiative in their learning, and tailor their experience to their career goals. It also allows me the flexibility to complete my own responsibilities without needing to direct them constantly throughout the day. I’m not a fan of having students wait for assignments each time they finish a task or sit idle unsure of what to do. I also don’t find it beneficial to limit students to just one or two tasks for the entire rotation.
For each student, I always try to
Introduce the student to the team, especially the ones they will work with day to day
Assign a pharmacist or lead tech or intern to support the student when you are unavailable
Discuss the student’s experience and rotation goal to help tailor elective days and align with learning objectives
Involve students in professional activities such as grand rounds, CE presentations, or shadowing another pharmacist or department
Set aside time for required projects and elective days (so they can explore or focus on their area of interest)
Stay flexible when things don't go as planned. For example, if technology or computer access issue arise, know who to contact and have back up activities that don’t require a computer
Stay tuned for our next post on Sample Schedule for APPE Rotation (Community Pharmacy Setting)
