by Katie A. Tuck, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP
Assistant Professor, Regis University, School of Pharmacy
BPS New Practitioner Ad Hoc Committee
When was the first time you were exposed to board certification? Perhaps you were a student pharmacist, intrigued by the extra letters that followed faculty members’ PharmD credential? Or maybe you were just starting your career, thinking that passing the NAPLEX marked the end of your test-taking days, only to find the enticing opportunity and benefits of validating the competencies you mastered during post-license educational and training experiences.
I distinctly remember my first encounters with board certification as a student pharmacist. One such instance occurred during a meeting with a faculty advisor who shared that she was preparing for an exam of her own. I couldn’t help but wonder, “what exam could she possibly be taking?” She explained that she was due for recertification of her BPS Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) credential and rather than complete continuing education, she was opting to sit for the exam to reaffirm her competencies.
Another early memory was shared with a preceptor who found himself in a psychiatric pharmacist role somewhat serendipitously. After years of serving as the pharmacist for a hospital with primarily psychiatric beds, he prepared for and passed the BCPP exam. I still recall the sheer size of the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists’ psychiatric pharmacotherapy review book he used, which left me stunned.
While both mentors achieved board certification through different career pathways, what stood out most from these experiences was the immense pride exhibited by these mentors upon attaining and maintaining their certifications. Their dedication served as a source of inspiration, even as I lacked the confidence in my own capability to follow in their footsteps.
Today, as a faculty member, I find myself guiding students who share the same self-doubt I once harbored as a student pharmacist. Many assume their mentors effortlessly possess all the answers, unaware of the internal moments of uncertainty we all face. Much to my students’ surprise, I share that I once was in the same position as them, struggling with imposter syndrome. One reason I continue to maintain both my BPS Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) and BCPP credentials is that they serve as a personal reminder of my growth from being an awe-struck pharmacy student.
In the classes I teach, I emphasize building valuable preparation techniques, some of which I gleaned from my certification journey (yes, including the use of mnemonics). I share with my students the sense of pride and fulfillment that comes with being dual-board certified, emphasizing how it reflects my dedication to ongoing learning and professional development.
Ultimately, my journey from student to mentor has been shaped by the invaluable lessons learned from my own mentors and experiences with board certification. As I pass the torch to the next generation of pharmacists, I strive to instill in them the same sense of pride, dedication, and commitment to excellence that was passed down to me – a testament to the essence of being a board-certified pharmacist.