I want to become a RN, how would being a CPhT be an advantage?

[bound4nursing]

Hello, I'm new to the site so bare with me

I am interested in going to school for a BSN with RN. Yeah! It took me a few months to decide. I went to a Pharmacy Technician program and am a CPhT. I make great pay but I know I want to do something more. I am fascninated with the human body and how medicine can change peoples lives.:heartbeat

So I've been through a lot (with my husband) He cheated on my but I forgave him. Turns out the "other woman" is a NURSE! AHH! So I totally removed any thoughts of becoming a nurse when all the "drama" came.

However, I did want to become a nurse before so bad, but it made me think , "How can someone who holds such an important job as a NURSE not care about another ones feelings?" Anyways. They are forgiven. I have to put that aside and let my own dreams come true. I started taking pre-reqs before all the "nonsense" and am glad I chose to continue studying for my BSN!

As a CPhT I know many drugs (brand and generic) and a lot about their pharmacologic classes. I asked a co-worker of mine (who happens to be a RPh) and he mentioned that because I am a CPhT that I should know enough to be ready and about the curve in my pharmacology class. Would this be true? Any comments? Thanks:D

[CathyLew]

I think any prior experience you bring with you helps, especially if that information was in some sort of medical field. the phramacological part of nursing should be a breeze for you.

there is a difference between book smarts, and brain smarts in nursing. My father is a Pharmacist, and is always quizing me about different drugs and interactions. Dad may know a lot more about the drugs than I do, but Im sure it would take him 5 hours to do one med pass if he were a nurse!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If you want to become an RN, being a CPhT would be advantageous due to the exposure you'll have to many different medications that the average person had never even knew existed.

[lizmatt]

Should help you in pharm class - for sure. I did the opposite and my nursing schooling really helped me become a pharmacy tech. I needed a job this past summer, and I got one as a pharmacy tech at a mail order pharmacy. My nursing schooling made the pharmacy tech class a breeze. ( I did not take the certification exam) but if I did not come back to nursing school I would have taken it.

[RXtech]

I'm a pharmacy tech and am starting nursing school in a few weeks. I know I will definitely have an advantage over my classmates when it comes to pharmacology. But, many of them have worked as CNAs so they will have a big advantage over me when it comes to direct patient care. Any kind of experience will be helpful! Good luck!

[rph3664]

I have worked with nursing students, and having that experience with drugs really helped them out in that regard. And when they worked in hospitals, they learned what really goes on in the pharmacy.

[lvnlrn]

I started as a CNA in high school, then worked as a CPhT for a few years before deciding I missed the patient contact and started nursing school. Being a CNA was advantageous when it came to learning how to do the most basic of nursing skills, such as bed making, toileting patients, etc, but I've seen a lot of my classmates struggle to make the mental "switch" to thinking like a nurse and not just as a CNA.

I took pharmacology last semester, and it was a breeze. Actually working with the meds, seeing them, makes it so much easier to retain information about them. My work experience making IVs and TPNs is invaluable. I definitely had an advantage over my classmates because of my experience as a CPhT.

If you can work as a pharm tech in the same hospital that you do clinicals, it will be even more advantageous, because you'll know the machines and the programs the pharmacy utilizes.

The only problem I've had is remembering that as a nursing student I can't just go into the med room to look at my patient's MARs and TARs without another nurse or my instructor present. (As a pharm tech I could badge in and refill the Pyxis, restock patient envelopes, etc.)

And I'm glad you didn't let a bad experience prevent you from pursing your dreams. I'm sorry you had to go through that with your hubby, but remember nurses are human and make mistakes, too. (But no, that doesn't condone what she did!)

Best of luck to you!! :)

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

Yes, you will have an advantage over other nursing students when it comes to pharmacology. I was a pharmacy tech just before going to nursing school. I actually passed the test a week before I was accepted to nursing school. It does make pharmacology a lot easier!!