QLD Intern of the Year 2024

Antonia Hurd MPS traversed multiple Queensland pharmacies during her internship to gain vital experience in specific aspects of practice.

Why study pharmacy?

I have always had a keen interest in chemistry, but wanted to be able to engage and learn from the community at the same time. Pharmacy allows these two passions to come together for me, where each and every day I have at least one meaningful conversation with someone. I love that pharmacy gives me the freedom and flexibility to apply my clinical knowledge and empathy as equal skills to serve the rural community.

Which rural and regional areas have you worked in?

The LiveLife Pharmacy Group offered me multiple opportunities to expand my clinical experience in rural pharmacy, where I have been fortunate to practise at multiple rural sites throughout the year. At Agnes Water, I developed practical skills in patient care due to the higher incidence of acute conditions such as bites, sting sand wound dressing management. Cooroy gave me amazing insight into Home Medicines Reviews, while Peregian Springs provided invaluable compounding experience. I have been lucky to have seen the specialisations of community rural pharmacies come to life, and found a common theme across all sites is an unwavering commitment to the community and the profession. Practising rural pharmacy fosters an incredible environment of support that locals are so grateful for.

Would you recommend that experience to other interns?

I could not recommend rural pharmacy more to interns unsure of their place in pharmacy or their direction in the profession post-graduation. I took my job at LiveLife Pharmacy Kepnock while it was still a construction site, and diving in headfirst was the best decision – not only for my career, but for my well being.

Rural locations are beautiful with plenty to explore for individuals who love the outdoors. While Bundaberg is a rural town, it is coastal and offers beautiful beaches I can walk along each morning before work. Even if it is just for the intern year, I recommend all interns get out of their comfort zone and go rural.

What was a standout lesson?

Do not be afraid of becoming the type of pharmacist you have never seen before. As an intern, you are learning from multiple pharmacists around you, and are often asking yourself: ‘What kind of pharmacist will I be?’ As someone who wears their heart on their sleeve, it’s not uncommon for me to be deeply moved by consumers every day – offering hugs, support and a listening ear. In the past, I had never seen pharmacists operate in this manner, and didn’t realise my empathy for others had a place in my career. I have been fortunate to have a mentor and preceptor who embraces my strengths and encourages their use in my work to benefit the community. I cannot express how grateful I am to have had this support throughout the year, and could not be more fulfilled by my work as a result.

Did the PSA Intern Training Course equip you with what you needed?

Absolutely. The course armed me with a robust skillset, practice experience, and a supportive network. All those elements have been instrumental in my succeeding as an intern, and in the future as a fully registered pharmacist.

How will your experiences as an intern be applied to your career?

In my final year of university, I was fortunate to have achieved First Class Honours for my thesis on the comorbidities and challenges experienced by individuals who experience severe and persistent mental illness. I have maintained a keen interest in this area throughout my intern year, and have a clear goal in ensuring that our attention to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar and mood disorders is equal to that dedicated to anxiety and depression. Stigma still surrounds these severe and persistent mental illnesses, and I am committed to breaking down this stigma to ensure mental health care is accessible and consistent to all.