Newly qualified guide

Pharmacy guide

Finding your feet as a newly qualified pharmacist? We've got your back.

To help you through your first few weeks and months of practice, we've put together a list of helpful RPS guides and resources.

Those returning to practice may also find these resources helpful.

^{First Published: June 2019
Updated: 15 July 2025}

Good professional practice 

Meet your professional standards and codes of conduct, feel empowered and learn how to use your professional judgment. Explore, read, understand and use our professional guidance and standards to strengthen your professional identity. 

• Professional standards – defines what good practice and systems look like, for the whole profession. Hospital, homecare, virtual wards, prison pharmacy and prescribing competency framework 
• Day-to-day practical guides – get fast, practical help and guidance when you need it most 
• Professional judgement – helping you use your professional judgement 
• Professional empowerment – recommendations, practical guidance and advice to empower you to manage pharmacy workplace pressures, improve working conditions, productivity and most importantly public safety
• RPS Professional Liability Insurance – our indemnity insurance policy, exclusively for RPS members
• Policies – be aware of what policies and strategies might impact your current or future practice
• Keep up to date with what's going on around you including upcoming changes and our big campaigns: 
  • News updates 
  • Newsletters (and you can follow us on social media).
• We also want to hear about the professional issues that matter to you – get to know our country teams, engagement team and ambassadors. 

Want to get involved?

If you want to do more for pharmacy and get involved in co-creating these professional standards and guidance, we want to hear from you. The RPS brings together groups, experts and volunteers from every corner of the profession. Discover a wide range of opportunities for pharmacists from every sector, career point and level of expertise. It also looks great on your CV! 

You could even consider joining our country boards and shape the work of the profession! Sign up to our newsletter to find out when elections take place.

Networking

• Early Careers Pharmacist Expert Advisory Group – our experts in early careers pharmacy advises and represents on all early career matters from professional development to advocacy. Find out more and expand your network. 
• Mentoring – looking ahead, to improve or looking to make a change? Discuss your next steps and unlock your potential with an RPS mentor. Sign up today and get connected!