As the world faces the new health challenge of COVID-19, our communities are being affected financially, mentally, and professionally. Pharmacy students and preceptors around the nation must adjust to a new opportunity for experiential learning: remote rotations. It must be emphasized that without this opportunity, many students would be facing a delay in graduation dates because of APPE rotation cancellations and an overall scrambling of the curriculum. Many preceptors have stepped up to provide a virtual professional experience, hoping students will continue to apply their knowledge and skills in delivering pharmaceutical care.

However, this unprecedented situation comes with challenges for preceptors as well as students. Some preceptors struggle to find ways to keep students engaged while creating an enjoyable and rewarding experience. In addition, preceptors fear students may not find them accessible because of the lack of face-to-face contact. However, some students find it difficult to remain motivated when working from home because of the struggle of balancing work and home life. Below is a compilation of skills to showcase during your virtual rotation, together with some tips on how to succeed.

Before the rotation:

1. Openness/Active Listening: Ask your preceptor about the expectations of your virtual learning. If provided with a student calendar before the experience, ask about the specific activities and workflow of the location (before the pandemic and how preceptors had to adjust). Rotations are a chance for you to find a potential career path, and having the preceptor explain workflow to you is the best way to fully understand the experience.
2. Communication: Ask for the best way to reach out to your preceptor f or check-ins and contact information in case of emergencies such as Internet issues.
3. Readiness: Have all web-based platforms set up before the first day (Webex, Jagger, Zoom, Epic). If you have Internet issues, try to address them before starting the rotation (call your Internet company or Wi-Fi extenders).
4. Professionalism: Choose your “work area.” Have an area where you will take your meetings/calls. Make sure it is well-lit without a distracting background.
5. Time Management: Choose a calendar of your choice to keep track of your meetings/calls.
6. Adaptability: Make a routine and stick to a regimen as if you are still heading out for a rotation.

Throughout the rotation:

1. Communication: Speak up. Properly use the “open-door” policy virtually. Share status updates about your work. Ask for feedback early and often. If you think of ways to create your own experiences, communicate them to your preceptor to see whether they are feasible.
2. Problem-solving: Be patient with any technical difficulties and adjust properly (have headphones available; call by phone, if necessary).
3. Productivity: If you have not heard from your preceptor in a while, ask your contacts whether they need anything: “Do you want me to call this patient?” Follow up with your preceptors about any unanswered questions.
4. Critical Thinking: Discuss any patient care recommendations with your preceptors.
5. Organization: Create a to-do list for the day (e.g., a daily diary): These are also experiences to consider bringing up in your future endeavors (e.g., residency, fellowship).
6. Teamwork: If there is available time, ask other people on the team whether they need assistance with any tasks. During meetings, mute your mic when you are not speaking, and be prepared to share your screen at any time.
7. People Skills/Networking: Get to know the team around you, and build these relationships as if you were at an on-site rotation.
8. Self-Care: Take water/walking breaks. Have fun and enjoy the ride! You are living through interesting times, and it is an adjustment for everyone.

After the rotation:

1. Leadership: Provide feedback to your preceptor on how to improve for the next students: Preceptors welcome constructive feedback and are always seeking ways to improve their precepting skills. If your experience as a student lacks something important, provide a “guidance sheet” to your preceptor with things that future students might find helpful to know about that experience.
2. Recognition: Express your gratitude toward your preceptor for providing a virtual experience.

Overall, remote rotations have proved to be a valuable experience for both preceptors and students. For preceptors, it is an opportunity to practice flexibility, adjustability, and creativity in developing strategies for students to have a valuable experience. Remote rotations provide students with a unique set of skills and challenge them as professionals to prepare for the future.