As 2025 comes to an end, many pharmacists are starting to look ahead and think about what they want to achieve in the new year. Across community, hospital, and primary care settings, the role of the pharmacist continues to grow, bringing new responsibilities, greater clinical involvement, and increased opportunities to make a meaningful impact. With the profession evolving so quickly, taking time now to reflect and set purposeful goals can help you step into 2026 with clarity and confidence.
This blog is designed to guide you through that process. Whether you’re hoping to build your clinical expertise, enhance your consultation skills, develop leadership potential, or take a step towards a new role, this practical guide will help you set focused, achievable goals—so you can make 2026 a year of meaningful progress and professional satisfaction.
Reflect on Your 2025 Journey
Before looking ahead, take a moment to review the past year. Reflection helps identify where you've grown and where new opportunities lie. Ask yourself:
- What achievements from 2025 are you most proud of?
- Which challenges stretched you—and what did you learn from them?
- Did any areas of your role feel overwhelming or require more support?
- Are there tasks or responsibilities you want to become more confident handling?
Honest reflection builds the foundation for meaningful development.
Identify Key Areas for Growth in 2026
Pharmacy continues to evolve, offering many opportunities to expand your practice. Consider where you’d like to grow this year:
Clinical knowledge – Stay up to date with long-term conditions, prescribing updates, or vaccination programmes.
Consultation and communication – Enhance patient-centred care by improving your listening, explanation, and interpersonal skills.
Digital skills – Become confident with EPMA, digital prescribing systems, or automated dispensary tools.
Leadership and management – Develop skills to supervise teams or take on senior responsibilities.
Specialist interests – Explore areas such as oncology, diabetes, mental health, or antimicrobial stewardship.
Independent prescribing – For those aiming to take on enhanced clinical responsibilities.
Focusing on specific areas helps you set clear priorities for professional growth.
Create SMART Goals
Once you’ve identified your priorities, the next step is to turn them into clear, actionable goals. The SMART framework is a simple yet effective way to ensure your aims are realistic and achievable:
1. Specific – clear and well-defined
2. Measurable – able to track your progress.
3. Achievable – realistic within your role and capacity
4. Relevant – aligned with your development needs and career aspirations
5. Time-bound – supported by a clear deadline
Here are some SMART examples tailored for you:
- Complete a CPD module in antimicrobial stewardship by March 2026
- Attend two communication workshops to strengthen consultation confidence
- Gain structured clinical experience to support your independent prescribing pathway
- Mentor or supervise a trainee pharmacist to build leadership skills
Using SMART goals gives your development direction, focus and accountability—making it easier to achieve meaningful progress throughout 2026.
Build Your CPD and Training Plan
Once your goals are set, it’s time to map out the training and resources that will support them. This might include accredited CPD courses, specialist clinical certifications, webinars, workshops, and study days. Consider programmes offered by organisations such as the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE); their courses cover a wide range of areas from consultation skills to clinical specialities.
You could also look at options from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), where pharmacists can access online learning, webinars and educational resources via RPS Learn.
Shadowing colleagues and attending professional conferences or networking events are also valuable ways to learn and grow.
Importantly, keep a regular record of your learning. This will help you monitor progress and, when the time comes, meet the revalidation requirements set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Prioritise Wellbeing and Work–Life Balance
Professional success is sustainable only when paired with personal well-being. Setting goals that protect your health and energy is essential; this might include managing your workload more effectively, practising stress-management techniques, taking regular breaks, using annual leave fully, and establishing clear boundaries to prevent burnout. A healthier pharmacist is more confident, productive, and better equipped to provide safe, effective care.
Seek Constructive Feedback and Mentorship
Feedback is one of the most powerful tools you can use to grow professionally. By engaging with colleagues, supervisors, or mentors, you can gain insight into your strengths, identify areas for development, and uncover opportunities you may not have noticed. Ask yourself: What do others see in your practice that you might have overlooked? Which specialist areas could you focus on further? How could mentoring support your long-term goals?
Working with experienced professionals can help you create a clearer, more confident path for your development. To get started, you can explore the Royal Pharmaceutical Society mentoring programme or the NHS Leadership Academy to connect with mentors and enhance your professional skills.
Review Your Progress Regularly
Professional development isn’t a one-off task, it’s an ongoing process. Make it a habit to review your goals every quarter. Ask yourself:
What progress have you made so far?
Have your priorities or focus areas changed?
Do any goals need adjusting, expanding, or refocusing?
By reflecting regularly, you can keep your goals relevant, stay on track, and ensure that your development continues to align with your career aspirations throughout the year.
Conclusion
Professional growth is a journey, not a one-time task. By reflecting on 2025, setting SMART goals, and building a structured CPD plan, you can step into 2026 with clarity and purpose. Prioritising wellbeing, seeking feedback, and engaging with mentors will help make your progress sustainable and meaningful.
Whether you aim to deepen clinical expertise, expand leadership skills, or explore independent prescribing, setting intentional goals now will help make 2026 a year of real professional fulfilment—for you, your team, and the patients you serve.
Verovian Pharmacy Agency: Supporting Your Professional Journey
As you set your goals and plan for 2026, having the right opportunities to apply your skills is just as important as developing them. Verovian Pharmacy Agency connects pharmacists with rewarding placements across the UK in community pharmacies, hospitals, GP practices, and other clinical settings. Whether you’re looking to gain experience in a new speciality, take on additional responsibilities, or explore flexible locum work, Verovian Pharmacy Agency can help you find the right role to match your career ambitions.
By working with an agency that understands the pharmacy profession and your development needs, you can access placements that not only enhance your expertise but also support your career progression, helping you make the most of the plans and goals you’ve set for 2026.
Ready to take the next step in your pharmacy career? Register with us today to explore placements across the UK and start applying your skills in roles that match your goals for 2026.
