My Pharmacy Journey....

Hi guys, 

Recently after six years of education and training I became a qualified pharmacist *does a happy dance* and I thought I'd share with you my journey of how I got to where I am today....

2002-2006: Boots the Chemist

I first became interested in the world of pharmacy when I was 16 and I started my first Saturday job in Boots the Chemist. I started out on the healthcare counter and I soon found it really interesting. I trained to be a qualified healthcare assistant (medicines counter assistant) and the role involved selling over-the-counter medicines and being trained to offer advice on common minor illnesses (under the supervision of a pharmacist). 

2006-2008: Basildon Hospital 

The knowledge I gained from my time as a healthcare assistant lead me to want to be a pharmacy technician and I went on to train at Basildon Hospital as a student pharmacy technician. This role involved the preparation of medicines and the supply to patients; there was also an active role in providing patients with guidance on how to take their medicines. It was during these 2 years of training that I decided I wanted to become a pharmacist as I enjoyed having a role in patient care and I wanted to further develop my knowledge in medicines. 

2008-2013: University of Reading

In October 2008 I moved to Reading to start a five year journey at the University of Reading to achieve a Masters in Pharmacy (MPharm) degree. The MPharm degree is a four year undergraduate course however, my first year at university was actually a foundation year as I needed to achieve A-Levels in chemistry and another science to continue onto pharmacy (my A-Levels included drama, media and history). In the summer of 2013 I graduated from the University of Reading with a 2:1 Masters in Pharmacy degree. It was a fantastic day spent with friends and family. 

2013-2014: Colchester General Hospital

Once you have completed your degree in pharmacy you have to complete a pre-registration (pre-reg) training year, which is designed for you to be able to demonstrate that you have the skills, knowledge and character to practise the standards expected of a pharmacist. This next chapter of my pharmacy journey took me Colchester where I completed my training year at Colchester General Hospital. I got to work with an amazing pharmacy team and I really enjoyed my pre-reg experience.

At the end of the training year there is a registration exam set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) that must be passed in order to join the GPhC register of pharmacists (in addition to meeting all other criteria) and practise as a pharmacist. Results are released by the GPhC via their website that announce the names of the pre-registration trainee pharmacists who have passed the registration exam. I'm going to be honest here and say it was the most nerve-racking experience of my life waiting for that list to be released. I actually found out I had passed from my friend Ronnie who called me to congratulate me - I was too scared to look!

The future....

Unfortunately my time at Colchester has come to an end, but I am soon to be starting a new chapter of my life as a clinical pharmacist at Medway Maritime Hospital in Kent. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone at Colchester Hospital for all their help, support and encouragement throughout my pre-reg year and I wish the "newbie" pre-regs the best of luck! My six years of hard work paid off and I'm looking forward to starting my career as a pharmacist. 

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

Westfield Stratford City Haul

Hi guys!

A couple of weeks ago I took myself  shopping at Westfield Stratford City and I promised you guys a haul post......so here goes........

Burt's Bees Essential Collection

First stop was Boots as my sister (Beauty and the Chic) had recommended the Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream as I've always suffered with quite poor nails. I ended up purchasing the Burt's Bees Essential Collection that contains the Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream and Beeswax Lip Balm - I love all three! The cuticle cream is an intensive treatment that nourishes and moisturises  nails and cuticles; it also smells good too! The hand repair cream with cocoa butter and sesame oil keeps hands soft and smooth, whilst the lip balm with vitamin e and peppermint works wonders to keeps your lips soft and healthy.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I

Also whilst I was in Boots I wanted to purchase a product from the French skincare line La Roche-Posay. This is a range of skincare designed for all skin types, even sensitive skin. I have suffered with oily and blemish prone skin ever since I was 14 and even now at the age of 28 I'm still visiting the doctors to try different things to help clear my skin. I was intending on purchasing the La Roche-Posay Effaclar K from their oily/anti-blemish range, which I have been using for months, however I spotted the Effaclar A.I product, and after plenty of 'umming and ahhing' I decided to give it a go to see if worked better for me. I thought it might be ideal as it is a targeted breakout corrector that "purges imperfections in-depth to accelerate their resorption and prevent residual skin marking". I've noticed a slight improvement in the week or so I've been using it but I will persevere with it and let you know my thoughts. 

Do you guys have any recommendations for acne prone skin? If so, send them my way please!

MOTO Pansy Blue Wash Leigh Jeans

As some of you will know from previous posts I am obsessed with the 'Leigh' jeans from Topshop; I live in them. I wear them so often I decided to get a more summery colour instead of wearing the usual black. They are as comfy as ever and at the moment I own them in 5 different colours! 

Petite Zig Zag Printed Shell Top

Along with Oasis and Topshop, Dorothy Perkins is another of my favourite clothing shops as they have great clothes, accessories, shoes - the lot, at great prices. I went in to check out their sale but spotted this coral colour back tie shell top instead. I love the colour, style and the pattern of this top and think it's ideal for the summer time. It is from the petit range but a size 8 still fits me fine. It is also available in blue (not petite) if you prefer (Blue Chevron Tie Back Shell Top).

Palm Print Playsuit

Ahhh Oasis........seriously guys, I could buy the entire shop at the moment! I actually saw this palm print statement playsuit on the 'Oasisfashion' Instagram page and loved it. It has a high crew neckline, a small cut-out detail on the back and a skinny waist belt with metallic buckle fastening. It's perfect for summer time whether you're going shopping of heading out for lunch with the girls. It is in the sale so you need to hurry to snap this up at £25 (from £50!).

Mono Palm Print Skater Skirt

Continuing with the palm print theme is this gorgeous skater skirt from Oasis. It features a high waistline with a concealed zip fastening on the reverse. I think the pattern is a bit different and it's the first skater skirt i own! They usually look weird on me but the wide set pleats give the skirt a full shape that suits me better. Also in the sale ar £18 (from £40), another bargain not to be missed!

 Slinky Stone Collar Necklace

My last stop was Accessorize as their jewellery is amazing, especially their statement necklaces; they add that finishing touch to your look. This pretty blue stones of this necklace sit below sparkling crystal studs. I have been wearing this necklace layered over the Dorothy Perkins top above, as I think the colours work really well together. This is another sale piece priced at £11.90 (from £17). 

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Well guys, that's it for my Westfield shopping haul. What have you purchased recently? Hope you are having a good weekend and thanks for reading.

Birthday BBQ Outfit

Top and shorts - Oasis | Bag and blue earrings - Accessorize | Sandals - Next | Charm bracelet - Thomas Sabo 

Hi guys,

Last weekend I went home for my cousins 30th birthday BBQ, and as I went shopping for a new outfit for the occasion I thought I would show you guys what I bought. Both the top and shorts are from Oasis; the minute I saw the top I had to have it - I love the pretty lace trim. I spotted the shorts and thought they would be perfect for the summer months, and as they are quite casual were a perfect match for the top. Oasis have some lovely clothes in store at the moment and even better is their sale - make sure you grab some bargains guys!! The earrings and bag are both from Accessorize (though the bag I bought last year), and they add a touch of colour to the outfit. The sandals are from Next (also purchased last year) but they are really comfy and are one of my favourites.

Below are the links for the top and shorts if you would like to take a look:

http://www.oasis-stores.com/lace-trim-kate-vest/tops/oasis/fcp-product/4580002206

http://www.oasis-stores.com/casual-detail-short/trousers-&-shorts/oasis/fcp-product/3460015708

Watch this space for a haul post coming soon as I went shopping at Westfield's today and bought myself a couple of presents....

Hope you guys are having a good week.

A Summer's Day Outfit | Feat. Oasis & Topshop

Blue top - Oasis | Black jeans - Topshop | Hat - Primark

Hi guys,

Firstly I would like to apologise for the lack of blogging activity; I had a laptop breakage and I am revising for my pre-reg exam, but I hope to get back into the swing of it now!

Now onto my outfit....my family visited me for the day and we went out for lunch to a Toby Carvery - it was delicious! As it was a gorgeous day my sister (Beauty and the Chic) and I decided to take some pictures of the outfits that we wore. My jeans are the "Leigh" jeans from Topshop; they are my favourite jeans and I wear them with everything! I spotted my top in Oasis as I love the royal blue colour and thought it would be perfect for summer. My hat is from Primark but I bought this last year, though I'm pretty sure similar styles are still in the shops.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and enjoy the nice weather!

Outfit of the day!

Blazer - New Look | Sheer shirt - H&M | Necklace - Dorothy Perkins | Jeans - Topshop Leigh jeans | Boots - Next | Bad - Oasis | Charm bracelet - Thomas Sabo.

Hi guys. I came home for the weekend as it was my birthday yesterday and I went shopping with my sister Claudia from Beauty and the Chic and this is the outfit that I wore. I live in Topshop's Leigh jeans as they are sooo comfy and they fit me perfectly. I pretty much wear them with every outfit so they will appear in many, many posts. I do like my blazers and I'm currently on the hunt for one in a royal blue colour -  can any of you help me out? My Oasis bag is very well loved, but I will continue to use it until the very end! 

Have a lovely day,

Thanks for reading!

Welcome to PharmacyGirl

Hi everyone, I'm Viv and welcome to PharmacyGirl. I'm a pre-registration pharmacist working in my local hospital. I've finally graduated from university after 5 years of studying, I have more spare time to create and write my fashion and beauty blog. Being a big lover of fashion, I would rather buy clothes than food any day...unless it's Krispy Kreme dounuts or Mini Eggs of course.

Other hobbies include collecting anything penguin related, eating donuts, drinking coffee and dreaming of Paris...Oh la la!  I hope you enjoy my little space on the net. Thanks for stopping by!