Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about our program.
- 1. Am I required to apply using PhORCAS?
- 2. What is the service component of the residency program?
- 3. What have former residents gone on to do after completion of residency?
- 4. What about housing?
- 5. Are all your residents from the Chicago area or Illinois schools of pharmacy?
- 6. What are the board requirements in Illinois?
- 7. Does the pharmacy have a good relationship with the other health care professionals at NMH?
- 8. What is unique about the NMH program compared to other programs?
- 9. Does the NMH PGY1 program participate in PPS at ASHP Midyear?
- 10. What is the interview process like?
- 11. Do PGY1 residents at NMH have the opportunity to early commit to NMH PGY2 programs?
- 12. How does the NMH PGY1 program promote wellness of residents?
- 13. What resources does NMH offer its PGY-1 residents to conduct their research/quality improvement projects?
Yes, all prospective candidates may only apply to the NMH PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program by registering for the ASHP Match Program and submitting application materials to PhORCAS.
Our service component of the residency provides valuable experience for residents to gain independence and to practice clinical skills outside of rotation. PGY1 residents will work a weekday evening (rotating schedule), every third weekend, and one major winter holiday. PGY2 residents will work every third weekend, one major winter holiday, and one major summer holiday.
Graduates from NMH residency programs have been very successful. Within the last three years, 34 of our PGY-1s have pursued PGY2 or fellowship training in areas such as administration, hematology/oncology, cardiology, solid organ transplant, critical care, ambulatory care, emergency medicine, drug information, informatics, medication safety and infectious diseases, all of which successfully obtained a position. Of the 34, 26 of the residents continued their training at NMH. Currently, 80% of our staff are residency trained and a large portion of those pharmacists are past NMH residency graduates.
Many residents choose to live close to the hospital and walk or take public transportation to work. Many high-rise apartment buildings are available around the area. Chicago has a very convenient public transportation system, and most residents do not bring their cars to Chicago. Downtown Chicago is very safe and walkable, with most necessities within walking distance. After you match with us, you will receive an email with a housing guide from current residents.
No. Each year we match with students from all over the country, from west coast to east coast. Each of our residents have different interests and backgrounds and we consider all residency applicants regardless of geography.
Residents are required to take and pass the NAPLEX and the Illinois MPJE. After you match with us, you will receive instructions on how to obtain licensure from us. Residents are encouraged to obtain licensure as soon as possible.
Yes. Our pharmacy department has a strong, collaborative relationship with other health care professionals. Pharmacists actively participate in interdisciplinary rounds, and are involved in all P&T decision making processes. Pharmacists oversee therapeutic drug monitoring, including antibiotic dosing and anticoagulation. Residents will be benefit from the exemplary learning environment at NMH.
Our program takes a holistic approach to resident learning and places an emphasis on personal growth. Because of our unique integrated practice model, residents graduating from our program are competent in both clinical and operational aspects of pharmacy practice. Residents have the opportunity to interact with multiple preceptors during one rotation, and learn from different teaching styles. Being in a large residency class, residents establish a broad network early in their career and meet new people from different backgrounds. Many NMH pharmacists serve on committees of local and national pharmacy organizations, also presenting networking opportunities. Residents also have the opportunity to participate in professional pharmacy organization committees longitudinally.
Our PGY1 program does not participate in PPS. If you are interested in learning more about us, feel free to attend one of our informational sessions (shared on our Instagram account @nmhpharmacyresidency) and at the ASHP Midyear residency showcase.
Each year, we are extremely encouraged by the number of highly qualified applicants. It is always a tremendous challenge to identify the number of candidates for onsite interview offers. We review all applications submitted prior to deadline, and carefully evaluate each application. Based on evaluation, selected applicants will be invited for a live virtual interview during January or February. We try our best to coordinate interview days based on candidates' availability. During the interview, candidates will meet with residency program director, coordinators, preceptors, other departmental leaders, and current residents. There will be plenty of opportunities for candidates to ask us questions on interview day.
Yes, our PGY2 programs are early commit eligible at the discretion of the PGY2 RPD.
Our residency program at NMH values the promotion of wellness within our PGY1 and PGY2 residency classes. We do this by:
- Resident bonding activities throughout the year (both informal and formal).
- Residents have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through NMH to take full advantage of if needed.
- NMH residents are hospital employees who receive 18 days of paid time off each year and are heavily encouraged to utilize it.
- Multiple levels of support are available through advisors, formal and informal mentors, assigned residency program coordinator and RPD.
- Based on feedback from the previous residency class, we have implemented a research month elective that residents can choose to take in place of a rotation to dedicate to working on their research project.
- A six part seminar series is offered throughout the year to assist residents with the research and quality improvement basics.