Welcome to your 2025/26 Foundation Training Year!

Four years ago, I was exactly where you are now, starting my foundation training year (back when we still called it pre-reg), filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

I remember clearly the overwhelming feeling of trying to prove myself. Although I had already worked at the pharmacy for two years, stepping into the trainee role felt like starting all over again. My responsibilities had changed, and I had to re-learn how to fit into the team from a new perspective. On top of that, the pressure of the registration assessment was a constant presence.

I understand the thoughts that might be running through your mind: “What if I make a mistake?” “What if I don’t fit in?” “How am I going to remember everything for the exam?” These worries are completely normal, and more importantly, you’re not alone in feeling them.

The training year is a steep learning curve, and that’s okay. It’s meant to challenge you. I remember second-guessing my interventions and feeling unsure whether my suggestions were safe or appropriate. My manager had signed me up to the ProPharmace Training Programme, and over time, with guidance, experience, and asking a lot of questions, those decisions became easier. Trust me, the confidence builds, until one day you realise you’re no longer checking the BNF every five minutes.

Fast forward to today, I’m now an Education and Training Pharmacist here at ProPharmace. Part of my role is to support trainee pharmacists like you. I remember the doubts, the pressure, the “am I doing enough?” mindset. But I also remember the first time I truly felt like a pharmacist, and how rewarding that moment was.

Here are a few tips that helped me (and many of my pharmacy friends) get through the training year:

• Ask questions, always. There’s no such thing as a stupid question in pharmacy.
• Get involved. Don’t wait to be asked. Join consultations, get involved in services, speak to patients, and share your knowledge with your team.
• Find your support network. Whether it’s your supervisor, a fellow trainee, or a university friend – stay connected.
• Start revising early. I began five months before the exam, building knowledge gradually. You don’t need to know it all now – little and often really works.
• Find what works for you. Mind maps, printed notes, rewriting, highlighting, flashcards, typing… (Side note: I tried flashcards but realised quickly I couldn’t fit the entire BNF onto them!)
• Post-it notes were my best friend. Anything I couldn’t remember went on a post-it – on my walls, in my car, on the dispensary bench, even on the pharmacy walls. Eventually, the information just stuck – both literally and mentally.

And finally, be kind to yourself. You’re developing into a healthcare professional, not just preparing for an exam. You’ve got a big year ahead, but also one of the most important and rewarding in your career journey. Keep going. You’re building the foundation for the rest of your career.

To help you get started, we’ve developed the ProPharmace Quick Guide to Foundation Training. This guide walks you through the full timeline of what to expect during your Foundation Year, from preparing for your first day to sitting the registration assessment.

Whether you’re feeling excited, nervous, or a bit of both, this guide is here to help you feel prepared and supported, We hope you find it useful!

– Farah Ali, Education and Training Pharmacist