Students interested in pediatric pharmacy may face difficulty choosing a postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) Pharmacy residency program. These students can complete their PGY1 Pharmacy residency in a traditional PGY1 Pharmacy program, a program with less than 50% of pediatric rotation experiences, or a pediatric-focused PGY1 Pharmacy program, a program with at least 50% of pediatric rotation experiences. These programs differ in rotational experiences, types of projects available, service commitment, and preceptor backgrounds. This article provides potential advantages and disadvantages that students may consider when selecting between these 2 different PGY1 Pharmacy residency programs. In addition, the article includes advice for students to consider when evaluating the best fit for themselves, and many of the recommendations were developed following a presentation that was given to students at the Pediatric Pharmacy Association's Annual Meeting in April 2019. Ultimately, the best residency program fit for a student interested in pediatrics should be based on each student's priorities, preferences, and career goals.
Keywords: education; pediatric pharmacy; postgraduate training residency.
Copyright Pediatric Pharmacy Association. All rights reserved. For permissions, email: mhelms@pediatricpharmacy.org 2020.