Has anyone tested out of Pharm?

U.S.A. Arizona

Published

I'm going to take the test in 2 weeks and just wanted a heads up. How long is it? How many questions? Do you need to know the generic and the trade name? Thanks!!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Please tell me you're kidding.....people are testing out of pharm???

Yes, we had to know the generic and brand names, as well as the class, mech of action, side effects, uses, contradicitons etc, etc.

It was a difficult 16 week class. If you are able to test out of it, then you aren't getting a good pharm background...

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I already took Pharm in the Spring of 2006, 18 months ago. I'm applying for advance placement into block 3. Pharm expires after 12 months. I either have to take the class over, or test out. I'm opting for testing out.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Oooh, gotcha! Well, good luck then!

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Specializes in generalMedical surgical; MICU/SICU/CVICU.

Believe it or not, but I work with a few nurses who somehow didnt have pharmacology in nursing school and work in critical care areas. And in nursing homes, there are medication aids that give meds, that never take a pharmacology class. So you got the nursing home pt in the critical care and no one knows med. Yikes, what is nursing coming too?

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Specializes in Cardiac.

The nurses who didn't have a pharm course had the pharm integrated into the entire program.

Medication aides are something else--I will never support that...

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What exactly is a Medication aide? I have never heard of them.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

A CNA in a nursing home who takes a very short course (like, over a weekend) on how to give meds.

And then they give meds to the elderly in nursing homes.

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Specializes in NICU.

Pharm was a tough class, but I don't think I actually remember a whole lot from that actual class. I mean I remember some major drugs and classes of drugs, major uses, side effects, etc.

But at work, we look up the meds constantly in the neofax or online. I will never give a med unless I know exactly what it does and what it is/isn't compatible with, what to watch for, what the recommended dose is, etc. A basic pharm class is useful and I agree that there needs to be some kind of basic pharm knowledge, but anyone giving a med needs to be up to date on their stuff.

Good luck to you with the test!

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Specializes in none yet.

okay so what am i totally missing here??? i have just gotten accepted into the mesa boswell program for spring 08 start and according to all my paperwork pharm is REQUIRED in i believe all 4 blocks of the program....i dont think testing out is a good idea,you may not remember much of the class material, but i wouldnt want to be sayin a year after grad...ooo i wish i took it!

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I know Gateway's Pharmacology is in Blocks 1 and 3.

I don't think Pharm is one of those classes that just because you took it you are going to remember everything. It's a lot of information in a short amount of time. Pharmacology is one of those things that you learn be repetition. Looking up the drug every time you give it. Just as RainDreamer stated.

I just get frustrated that the class expired I haven't even been out of the program a year, and I have to retake everything.

I have decided not to test out. I found out the test is $100 and Rio is offering the class for 6 weeks for a little over $100. So I'm going to take this semester and get in some experience and apply for Fall 2008.

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