New challenges as a new mom

Brittany Caskey is a second-year PharmD candidate at the Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 

When one little pink line turned into two, that is when my life changed. 

I experienced a surge of emotions as it dawned on me, not only am I taking care of myself, I’m taking care of another life while being a student pharmacist. In my first year of pharmacy school, I was already working to stay afloat and take care of myself in an intense, scholastic environment. Finding out I was pregnant just added to the excitement of school as well as the fear. I learned early on to balance my anxieties and to begin creating my tribe.

My support team

I found that being pregnant throughout my first year forced me to grow up while also showing me the support I had all around me. Over this past summer, I had a community rotation where my preceptor was super insightful when it came to pregnancy, having a child, and balancing life. I was supposed to start this school year and have my baby after the first week of classes; however, due to health concerns, I had to have my baby 2 weeks earlier than planned, meaning I missed out on seeing all of my friends on the first day of classes. So there I was going through pharmacy school and my first semester virtually.

I still go into class whenever there are quizzes, block exams, and for case presentations and group assignments. I am missing the camaraderie of being there with my cohort; however, I have enjoyed being home. I can watch lectures at my leisure, pause lectures whenever the baby begins to fuss, and rewind lectures whenever I don’t understand something, all in the comfort of my own home. I have had significant support from my cohort and also the professors, which I know that I am very lucky to have.

No years off

There are the challenges though, as not everyone is as supportive—there are those who thought I should have taken the year off. But I knew what I was getting myself into.

I knew that having a baby meant that there will be no years off until he has graduated high school, and even then, a whole new set of challenges will unlock at that point. I have found that being a new mom and a student pharmacist has helped me overcome my procrastination habit, helped me with my critical thinking and leadership skills, and has also helped show me I am capable of greatness.

Becoming a stronger pharmacist

Being a new mom has been one of the most exciting times in my life and one of the most challenging. I feel that being a new mom while in pharmacy school is helping me to become a stronger pharmacist when I am out in the field practicing by teaching me to control my emotions when I am frustrated, ask for help when I am burdened, and celebrate the victories when they occur.