battling Pharmacy Residency Burnout Through‍ Strategic Breaks

⁤ ⁣ Updated June ⁢08, 2025

The transition from pharmacy ⁢school ⁣to⁤ residency can be a demanding period, often leading to pharmacy residency burnout. Brianne Perry, a PGY-1 resident at LDS Hospital with Intermountain Health, experienced this firsthand. After completing a rigorous pharmacy program and board exams, Perry felt the need for a break that⁣ never came.

Perry soon realized she was running on fumes, questioning her⁣ choice of residency. A⁤ conversation with her residency director ‍highlighted the importance of taking breaks. The director emphasized that it’s‍ acceptable and ‍even encouraged to step away and recharge.this ⁣advice prompted Perry to rethink her approach to ‍time‍ management and self-care,crucial elements in preventing pharmacy residency ⁤burnout.

Implementing this advice, Perry ⁢began scheduling weekends off, incorporating activities like date nights and dinners with friends. ⁤This shift in ‍priorities⁣ made her weeks more manageable and underscored the necessity⁣ of mental ⁤and emotional breaks. She also focused on improving her time management skills,⁣ allocating specific periods⁣ for projects and personal activities.This ⁤approach led to better ⁤sleep,improved work-life balance,and increased presence during rotations,effectively addressing work-life balance issues.

Perry’s preceptor further advised her to celebrate her accomplishments, such as completing her fall seminar, by taking ⁣a day to relax and enjoy herself. She took this ‍advice, enjoying a new book and a dinner with‍ her husband.

“[As] you finished your fall seminar, your goal this ‍weekend is to take⁤ a break for a day and ⁣to take‍ some⁣ time to celebrate your accomplishment,” Perry’s preceptor said.

What’s next

perry advises ⁣current and‍ future pharmacy students and residents to embrace the chaos⁤ and prioritize work-life balance. She⁣ acknowledges that she is still‍ improving and sometimes feels guilty for taking ⁤breaks, but reminds herself ⁤that self-care is essential for providing quality patient care.