APPE

NACDS offers an opportunity for pharmacy students to enhance their national comprehension of community pharmacy practice and the issues impacting the chain drug industry through an elective rotation in Association Management. This application-based APPE rotation will allow pharmacy students to see firsthand the priorities of a national pharmacy association and utilize their clinical knowledge and experiences to address key pharmacy policies and issues. Selected students will have the ability to develop their written and verbal communication skills, participate in events to promote the profession of pharmacy, and research the enhanced role of pharmacy in innovative patient-centered care models. In addition, the student will have the opportunity to participate in meetings and other healthcare related events.

The duration of the rotation is 4 to 6 weeks subject to the applicant’s experiential program. Rotation students will receive experience in the following:

• Pharmacy care
• Emerging patient care models
• Policy
• Research

Rotation experiences vary due to the changing nature of projects and the current environment of the organization, as well as the need to ensure that each student has the flexibility to shape their experience according to their interests and goals. Please review NACDS.org for more information about the trade association.

NACDS offers flexible work arrangements. Selected students will work onsite in our Arlington, VA office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. They will have the option to work remotely on Monday and Friday.

Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an accredited US school or college of pharmacy, be in good academic standing, and in their final didactic year of pharmacy school. Chain community pharmacy experience is preferred.

1. A cover letter explaining your career goals and interest in chain pharmacy and/or association management (Must specify dates available for the rotation – if your schedule is flexible, please indicate)
2. Current resume or curriculum vitae
3. Writing sample addressing one of the following topics: community pharmacy, provider status, pharmacy scope expansion, advanced technician roles, pharmacy advocacy, national pharmacy associations, advanced pharmacy practice, or a pharmacy-related topic of your choice (Limit to 500 words or less)
4. Letter of recommendation from a pharmacy faculty member, dean, recent employer, or pharmacy mentor/preceptor (Must come directly from recommender to research@nacds.org)

Elective APPE rotation application for the 2025-2026 school year must be submitted no later than January 17, 2025.