Kelsey Burns

I grew up in Sydney, with a supportive family and one younger sibling. I completed my HSC at a local public high school, then went on to complete a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science at UTS in 2014. II then took on full-time work in a pharmacy before taking some time off to travel through South East Asia. In 2016, I returned to UTS to begin my Masters of Pharmacy.

I decided to enrol in this degree after gaining a few years of work experience in pharmacy. While I was studying my undergraduate degree, I worked part-time in a pharmacy, and then went on to work fulltime for a year after graduating. Having this exposure and experience allowed me to discover what I was passionate about, which was and still is community pharmacy.  I developed a strong appreciation for the vitally important role pharmacists play within their local community.

I chose to continue studying at UTS because I enjoyed the UTS learning environment. The design of the Master of Pharmacy program also appealed to me, so I chose to apply. The degree has not disappointed. The atmosphere, learning environment, teaching structure and people are just great.  

The course is so well integrated and I’ve enjoyed every element, however, the Clinical placements have been especially rewarding, because we’re actively involved in achieving positive health outcomes for patients.

I’ve definitely changed and evolved throughout my studies. This course has not only afforded me the skills and knowledge base to be a competitive graduate - it has also allowed me to realise and develop my own goals, nurture my aspirations and prepared me for a career in pharmacy. I have definitely become more confident in myself and my own abilities and I feel comfortable networking and interacting with multidisciplinary health professionals, which is an essential skill I will require throughout my career.

One of the most memorable tutors I’ve had is John Bell.  Having John as a tutor has been such an enjoyable and rewarding learning experience. John’s passion and enthusiasm for pharmacy is truly inspiring. He willingly shares his knowledge and vast experience of everything pharmacy-related, which has been immensely beneficial for us students. A great quality about John is that he never fails to put a smile of your face. His quick-witted sense of humour has afforded us many laughs. Honestly speaking, I’ve enjoyed being mentored by all the academic staff delivering the Master of Pharmacy at UTS.

In 2016, I was fortunate to be awarded the Chemmart Community Innovation Scholarship. This has been an exciting and extremely beneficial experience for me. My time with Chemmart Drummoyne has been an invaluable experience that has greatly facilitated my learning. I have since gone on to become a part of the pharmacy team at Chemmart Drummoyne.

In Clinical Placement 3, I undertook the Rural placement option, spending a month in Lismore. In Lismore I was able to spend time in various wards within the Base Hospital, a community pharmacy as well as numerous cultural experiences with the University Centre for Rural Health.

My first goal is to complete my internship within a community pharmacy. Longer term, I would like to help promote local pharmacies to develop a strong role within their communities through provision and promotion of professional health services and positive health initiatives. I’d love to be involved in devising sets of management strategies to achieve greater interaction between pharmaceutical professionals and patients within communities.

I see the community pharmacist as an integral societal role, which has a direct impact on the wider community. Ultimately, I would like to be able to provide patients with information to help them improve their health and wellbeing. This would be a truly rewarding professional outcome.

My advice for future students: apply for a job in a community pharmacy or hospital pharmacy. On the job experience really helps you put into practice the content you learn in the classroom. The Master of Pharmacy is not easy, so commitment is critical. Good time management is essential.

Studying within the Graduate School of Health at UTS is truly the optimal learning environment. The course structure and design is modern and engaging and the academic staff are first-class mentors that create a supportive and friendly atmosphere. GSH fosters a learning culture that promotes academic excellence and challenges students to become leaders in their field. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences at the UTS GSH.