Over the past few years, the ACCP student chapter at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has grown, both in membership and in engagement. We noticed that a large proportion of our membership had specific interests in hematology/oncology and wanted to create a designated space for them to create their own programming, which led us to create Student Practice and Research Networks (S-PRNs). Designed after ACCP’s PRN groups, the S-PRNs bring together students with similar interests to foster clinical exploration and growth. With the S-PRN model, we can ensure that events positively influence members’ professional development and education. To reach the most student members, our executive team wanted to gain a picture of our membership’s interests with respect to both clinical specialties and types of interactive events. A survey of our student body showed that hematology/oncology and critical care were specific clinical areas of interest, and specific events mentioned were patient case discussions, topic discussions, and journal clubs. In spring 2021, we set out to meet these programming goals for our student members and created both hematology/oncology and critical care S-PRNs.

The S-PRNs have been designed not only to be student focused, but also to foster engagement at the national level. With robust national PRNs in a variety of specialty areas, including hematology/oncology and critical care, we sought to use these networks to provide unique opportunities and connections for our student members. Our executive team wanted to create a stronger connection between our student chapter and ACCP on the national level, and we welcomed all guidance and inspiration from the national PRNs. One example of this was when the national ACCP Hematology/Oncology PRN Learners’ Committee put together the “Oncology Pharmacy Resources Bootcamp” workshop. This event provided oncology clinical pharmacists with perspectives on the most valuable resources to use in clinical practice as well as a unique “breakout room” activity that allowed students to implement their new knowledge. With an influx of new members who could not experience the original workshop, we collaborated with the national PRN to share the presentation and a recording of the event with our students. People loved the experience and the hands-on engagement that the breakout room activity provided:

It was an awesome idea and I did not expect how effective it would be, especially since that was the first time many of us even saw those databases.

–Jorden Mandel, Pharm.D. Candidate

This was undoubtedly the most popular hematology/oncology S-PRN event of the semester, and we hope increased collaboration with the national PRN will lead to continued successful programming and engagement in the future.

To start the new school year, we welcomed students to join the Hematology/Oncology and Critical Care S-PRNs with a combined topic introduction trivia game challenge. This event had record attendance, and we even had to move to a larger space to accommodate all of the interested students. Because this was our first in-person event after a completely virtual semester, it truly showed us the tremendous interest in specialty-focused clinical events. Just as we incorporated student feedback into creating the S-PRNs, we encouraged input from our newest group of members on the type of programming they wanted in the future. Most professional interests included networking with pharmacists and residents, learning about current research and ways to get involved, and national opportunities such as membership, councils, and conferences.

Other S-PRN events have included journal clubs, patient case discussions, topic explorations, research presentations, and even a critical care residency panel. Each S-PRN aims to have one event per month during the semester, and each event is designed to expose students to a new aspect of the specific practice area – ranging from clinical treatment options to the different types of careers each field has to offer. Because our curriculum does not heavily introduce or explore critical care and oncology topics until the spring of the third year, S-PRN events allow students to meet and form early connections with others who share their clinical interests. These peer-to-peer connections have been particularly valuable as we start to regroup and return to in-person classes after almost a full year online. PY3 and PY4 members provide relatable insight into rotations they have had specific to these specialties. Through these connections, senior members have even been able to provide interorganizational mentorship by sharing further insight into experiences that might otherwise seem difficult to navigate, including internships, conferences, and national engagement.

Since implementing these S-PRNs, we have increased membership from 118 in the 2020–2021 school year to 146 this school year. Students are excited about the opportunities put forth by these newly found subgroups.

I joined because I wanted to learn more about what being a critical care pharmacist entails, and I feel like I’ve been able to gain a deeper understanding and perspective for my future career.

–Courtney Jackson, Pharm.D. Candidate

The Heme/Onc PRN has been a great way to explore the role of a pharmacist in oncology. The PRN has also provided opportunities to learn about the specialty beyond what is covered in the curriculum. I am looking forward to attending future events!

–Sara Jubas, Pharm.D. Candidate

With the early successes of these S-PRNs and the growing interest in ambulatory care in our student member population, we look forward to providing more specialized opportunities through creating and implementing an Ambulatory Care S-PRN this spring. We are confident in the success of a new S-PRN, given the previous success in our existing specialty subgroups, both of which have provided hands-on, clinical learning experiences in specific pharmacy specialties. Ultimately, these S-PRNs have provided opportunities for professional connections and career development of our members. Implementing this new S-PRN structure has allowed our Student Chapter of Clinical Pharmacy to support our members in their achievement of excellence in practice, research, and education, and we are proud to share our progress with you.