title: Using institutional track programs and block scheduling to help students prepare for postgraduate residency training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The development and implementation of institutional track programs and block scheduling to help students prepare for postgraduate residency training are described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Institutional track and block scheduling models were implemented into advanced pharmacy practice experience rotations to provide students with several of these experiences at the same practice site. Students at Purdue University College of Pharmacy (PUCOP) and Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (BUCOPHS) can apply for an institutional track or block schedule. The application process for the institutional track and block scheduling programs provides students with an opportunity to refine written and oral skills that are necessary for residency applications and interviews, since the process mimics that of the ASHP Resident Matching Program. Students are frequently provided with mentors to assist in the residency or fellowship preparation, curriculum vitae or cover letter design, and career planning. Students at the site may also be paired with pharmacy residents enrolled in blocked rotations to serve as mentors. The top students are matched with a practice site and then assigned to five consecutive patient care rotations. Since 2011, a total of 71 students have participated in institutional tracks at PUCOP or block scheduling at BUCOPHS. Most institutional track students (83%) and block scheduling students (81%) were successful in matching to residency programs or hospital pharmacy positions after graduation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Block scheduling and institutional track programs were offered to students at two colleges of pharmacy interested in pursuing postgraduate residency training. Most institutional track students and block scheduling students successfully matched to residency programs or hospital pharmacy positions after graduation.
authors.affiliation: Meghan Bodenberg, Pharm.D., is Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Site-Based Experiential Education, Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (BUCOPHS), Indianapolis, IN. Brooke Linn, M.F.A., is Assistant Director of Student Services, Purdue University College of Pharmacy (PUCOP), West Lafayette, IN. Tracy Sprunger, Pharm.D., is Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Residency and Fellowship Programs, BUCOPHS. Brian Shepler, Pharm.D., is Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Experiential Education, PUCOP. mbodenbe@butler.edu.
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bodenberg
authors.affiliation: Meghan Bodenberg, Pharm.D., is Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Site-Based Experiential Education, Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (BUCOPHS), Indianapolis, IN. Brooke Linn, M.F.A., is Assistant Director of Student Services, Purdue University College of Pharmacy (PUCOP), West Lafayette, IN. Tracy Sprunger, Pharm.D., is Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Residency and Fellowship Programs, BUCOPHS. Brian Shepler, Pharm.D., is Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Experiential Education, PUCOP.
authors.forename: Brooke
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Linn
authors.affiliation: Meghan Bodenberg, Pharm.D., is Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Site-Based Experiential Education, Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (BUCOPHS), Indianapolis, IN. Brooke Linn, M.F.A., is Assistant Director of Student Services, Purdue University College of Pharmacy (PUCOP), West Lafayette, IN. Tracy Sprunger, Pharm.D., is Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Residency and Fellowship Programs, BUCOPHS. Brian Shepler, Pharm.D., is Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Experiential Education, PUCOP.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sprunger
authors.affiliation: Meghan Bodenberg, Pharm.D., is Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Site-Based Experiential Education, Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (BUCOPHS), Indianapolis, IN. Brooke Linn, M.F.A., is Assistant Director of Student Services, Purdue University College of Pharmacy (PUCOP), West Lafayette, IN. Tracy Sprunger, Pharm.D., is Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Residency and Fellowship Programs, BUCOPHS. Brian Shepler, Pharm.D., is Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Experiential Education, PUCOP.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shepler
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D064172:Pharmacy Residencies / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy