Nathan Burley argues that younger pharmacists have a distinct perspective on the challenges they face in pharmacy – that all require a strong sense of optimism to navigate.

As a millennial healthcare professional, I often find myself caught between two conflicting worlds. On one hand, there’s the relentless pressure of healthcare — burnout, staff shortages and the, often thankless, task of working in a crumbling system. On the other hand, there's a deep, unshakable commitment to the patients we serve, the communities we belong to, and the promise of improving health and care we entered this field to fulfil.

It is this duality that defines the experience of being a millennial in healthcare today. We are the incoming generation that have experienced our formative years through a global pandemic, political upheaval, economic uncertainty, and a broken system. But we are also the generation with the tools, the drive, and the capacity for innovation to rebuild what has been shattered.

The state of healthcare: A perfect storm

It is impossible to talk about being a millennial healthcare worker without acknowledging the state of the system we work within.

The healthcare industry has always been challenging, but in recent years, it feels like we’re navigating a perfect storm. Rising patient demand, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with the growing shortage of healthcare professionals and resources, creates a sense of urgency that can be suffocating.

With every new challenge it’s easy to ask: ‘Is this really what I signed up for?’

For many of us, the day-to-day reality involves juggling patient needs, understaffed teams, and overwhelming administrative burdens that detract from the one thing that drew us into healthcare in the first place: patient care.

The stress we face is compounded by larger, systemic issues — rising healthcare costs, unmatched funding, and policy failures that often leave us feeling powerless.

With every new challenge it’s easy to ask: ‘Is this really what I signed up for?’ The optimism that once came with a fresh degree and the promise of making a difference can feel like a distant memory when weighed against the crushing pressures of the present.

The millennial experience: A generation shaped by crisis

As millennials, we’ve been shaped by crises. From the Great Recession (2007 to 2009) to the ongoing climate crisis, economic instability, and political polarisation, we are a generation accustomed to navigating uncertainty.

Many of us entered healthcare during a time of rapid technological advancement, which should have been a source of hope and innovation. Yet this often feels poorly implemented or neglected and left to atrophy. The expectation to adapt to jammed-up systems with low resources and maintain a high standard of care in the face of systemic breakdowns can feel like a Sisyphean task.

However, this experience has also given us unique strengths. We are adaptable, technologically savvy, and unafraid to question the status quo. In fact, one of the hallmarks of being a millennial healthcare professional is our collective desire to bring about real change.

A call to action: Embracing optimism in practice

So, how do we navigate this storm without being overwhelmed by it? How do we sustain ourselves when the work feels endless, when the problems seem insurmountable, and when the odds are stacked against us?

Rather than succumb to burnout and disillusionment, we have the opportunity to take ownership of the future of healthcare

The answer lies in a conscious shift in perspective. As millennials, we’re at the forefront of a critical moment in healthcare. While the system is undoubtedly broken in many ways, it is also in the midst of a transformation – a transformation we can shape.

Rather than succumb to burnout and disillusionment, we have the opportunity to take ownership of the future of healthcare. It starts by embracing optimism in our practice, even when the conditions around us may suggest otherwise.

Focus on the patient-professional relationship

Amid all the systemic challenges, the core of healthcare remains the patient-professional relationship.

By staying grounded in the human element of our work — listening to our patients, advocating for their needs, and providing compassionate care — we can remind ourselves of the very reason we chose this path.

Small moments of connection can have an outsized impact, both on our patients and on our own sense of fulfilment. By cultivating these moments of care and empathy, we combat the burnout that comes from feeling disconnected and overwhelmed.

Championing system change from within

The millennial generation has never been afraid to challenge the status quo, and this should extend to the healthcare system itself. We are not powerless bystanders — we are critical players who can advocate for better working conditions, improved patient care, and policy changes that reflect the needs of both staff and patients.

By becoming vocal advocates for systemic change, we not only contribute to a healthier environment for ourselves and our colleagues but also set the stage for the next generation of healthcare professionals to thrive.

Harnessing technology

Technology offers incredible opportunities for innovation and efficiency. We are well-positioned to leverage the digital tools available to us — from telemedicine to electronic prescribing systems to AI-powered diagnostics — to enhance the quality of care we provide and streamline our workflows. By properly and comprehensively implementing technologies, we can free up time and resources to focus on what truly matters: the people in front of us.

By focusing on our core values — compassion, adaptability, and innovation — we can remain hopeful, even in the face of adversity

Optimism as a practice

Living as a millennial healthcare professional through these times of doom and gloom can feel overwhelming but it also presents an unparalleled opportunity to reshape the future of care. By focusing on our core values — compassion, adaptability, and innovation — we can remain hopeful, even in the face of adversity. Optimism is not a passive emotion; it is an active practice, one that requires us to push through the difficult moments and continue striving for change.

As millennials in healthcare, we are not simply workers in a broken system; we are agents of change, the visionaries who can help rebuild the future of healthcare. And that future — though uncertain — can be one that is more sustainable, more compassionate, and that’s something worth holding on to.

Nathan Burley is immediate past president at the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists; advanced public health/sexual health services pharmacist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and visiting lecturer, University of Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences