Shaylee Mills didn’t set out to become a rural pharmacist. In fact, she spent 10 years chasing a career in classical ballet. But after flicking through a university course guide and landing on chemistry, she found herself on a very different stage, serving remote communities in some of the most stunning parts of Western Australia.

Now known online as The Rural Pharmacist, Shaylee is a powerful advocate for rural pharmacy in Australia, using social media to demystify what the job really looks like and why more young pharmacists should consider it.

“You can do anything in pharmacy, but it’s easier to do everything in rural pharmacy.”

From her base in Karratha, Shaylee wears many hats. She splits her time between three community pharmacies and a weekly stint at the Aboriginal Health Service in Roebourne. Her days aren’t just about filling scripts, they’re about building trust, solving problems, and advocating for care that meets people where they are.

One of the biggest misconceptions she encounters? That rural healthcare means outdated facilities. Shaylee is quick to correct that.

It’s the people, and the pace, that have kept her energised. Unlike city practice, rural pharmacy offers continuity and real connection. Shaylee knows her patients by name. She knows their families. And she sees them often enough to notice if something changes.

But rural doesn’t mean easy. From burnout to blurred boundaries, Shaylee is open about the challenges too. In high-pressure moments, support can be hard to come by, especially when you’re the only pharmacist on shift. It’s one reason she nominated the Pharmacists’ Support Service as her charity of choice for this episode.

Through it all, Shaylee remains deeply passionate about her work and its future. Her goal is to inspire more pharmacists to give rural a go, even just for a short locum placement, because the impact can be huge. Shaylee’s message is clear: rural pharmacy in Australia isn’t just rewarding. It’s career-defining.

Watch Season 2, Episode 18 of It Takes Heart to hear how Shaylee Mills is redefining rural pharmacy in Australia.

More about Shaylee’s organisation of choice, Pharmacists’ Support Service

The Pharmacists’ Support Service is a free service run by pharmacists for pharmacists. The service provides a listening ear over the telephone to pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and students, offering support related to the many demands of the profession. 

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