From HR Manager to Registered Pharmacist in New Zealand: Niharika's Inspiring OPRA Success Story July 2026

Changing careers is not easy. And especially when it involves returning to a field that you left a few years ago. The journey of Niharka is quite interesting. She worked as an HR professional, and she is a successful OPRA candidate. It proves that your determination and right guidance make the difference. 

A Pharmacist Who Took a Detour Into HR

In 2017, Niharika had completed her bachelor’s and Master’s pharmacy degrees and built a strong academic foundation in the subject. But soon her career took a different direction.

She pursued an MBA and spent around five years working in HR management roles with MNCs. This meant her hands-on pharmacy experience remained extremely limited throughout that period.

But when she and her partner moved to New Zealand, Niharika recognized a high demand for pharmacists. And then she started to search for how she could become a registered pharmacist there to secure a successful pharmacist career. 

The First Attempt That Didn't Go As Planned

Niharika joined another academy to prepare for the OPRA exam. But it did not work out for her. She lost in her first attempt. She was juggling jobs, and the years of difference made things hard for her. 

The pace of that course didn't match her needs, especially given her long academic gap. She felt lost during lessons and didn't dedicate enough focused time to preparation.

Key struggles during her first attempt:

• Balancing a part-time job with exam preparation

• A significant academic gap since her pharmacy degree

• A coaching pace that didn't suit her learning needs

• Limited confidence due to lack of structured guidance

Discovering Elite Expertise and Rebuilding Confidence

Niharika later learned about Elite Expertise, though she wished she had found the institute sooner. From her very first orientation session, she started feeling genuinely more confident about her chances.

The trainers explained the exam pattern clearly and reassured students that academic gaps were common among candidates. Many students had gaps of many years, like ten, fifteen, or even twenty. And this realization helped Niharika understand that she wasn't alone in this situation. The teaching styles of both instructors were different from each other, kept her consistently engaged and motivated.

Balancing Two Jobs While Preparing for OPRA

When Niharika joined Elite Expertise, she was doing two jobs. On a full-time HR position and a part-time position in a store. But she knew that to clear the OPRA exam, she had to give more time with dedication, so she sacrificed her job. And her sacrifice worked out; she cracked the exam. 

She attended live classes twice a week and relied on recorded sessions whenever timing clashed with New Zealand hours. By the second month, she had committed fully to attending every regular class.

What Made the Classes Work for Her

Niharika credited the teaching style for helping difficult topics stick in her memory. Storytelling and relatable examples made drug classifications and complex names much easier to recall.

Elements she found most helpful:

• Story-based explanations of drug classes and classifications

• Regular mock tests that mirrored the actual exam pattern

• Recorded lectures for topics covered at a faster pace

• Peer support through group chats sharing notes and tips

• Dedicated revision classes in the final month before the exam

She also noted that she barely needed to make her own notes. Following the classes closely and understanding concepts in real time was enough.

Exam Day: From Nerves to Confidence

Niharika admitted feeling slightly worried before the exam about missed mock tests. However, revision classes had already covered most of that missing content.

Her exam day approach included:

• Reviewing shared PDFs and screenshots until the last possible minute

• Staying focused only on reaching the exam hall safely

• Carrying her calculator and essentials without unnecessary distraction

• Trusting the preparation she had already put in

The first couple of questions felt tough and briefly shook her confidence. But she soon recognized that 40 to 50 percent of questions matched material covered in class.

And when Niharika reached question no 110 or 120, she felt relaxed and calm. She finished the exam feeling confident; it was a new and welcome experience for her.

The Moment She Saw Her Results

Niharika said she was excited for her OPRA exam result, not afraid, as she was on her first attempt. And when she got her result, she jumped with happiness and shared this news with her husband and the family. Her hard work paid off. 

She thanked Harika ma’am and Arief sir for this good preparation. Her relief was clear. This time, all her hard work and sacrifices had finally worked out.

Niharika's Advice for Future OPRA Candidates

Niharika shares practical and experience-based advice for candidates who are preparing for or going to take the OPRA exam. Her suggestions focused on consistency, planning, and making the most of available resources.

She also stressed that strong basics naturally develop through consistent class attendance. Concepts like the cardiovascular and nervous systems became much clearer over time.

Her OPRA Journey in Three Words

When asked to summarize her entire journey, Niharika chose three simple but powerful words:

• Present - Attend live classes and stay engaged throughout the course

• Dedication - Commit real time and effort, especially during final revision

• Positive - Maintain a hopeful mindset instead of dwelling on past setbacks

Why Choose Elite Expertise

Niharika’s success is not just luck. She prepared for it, and we prepared her. She had a loose first attempt with another academy, but how dedicated she is, she can do it on her first attempt. And she did it wth us. 

We have designed a structure and conducted a proven system for exam preparation that gives results. Here is what we provide to our students.