What did you learn in Pharmacology?

[Scrub MD]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I got accepted to medical school and right now am working as a pharm tech in a IV room at the hospital making all the IVs, syringes, chemo for the whole hospital.

It seems like pointless work just simple calculations for concentration of drug into bag, finding drug and injecting it in. Every once and a while I look up what the drug is used for.

My question is should I try learning more about the drugs (class, clearing time, uses, side effects, conflicts) or should I just continue the grunt work and wait for the real knowledge in medical school?

 

[PickyBicky]

I got accepted to medical school and right now am working as a pharm tech in a IV room at the hospital making all the IVs, syringes, chemo for the whole hospital.

It seems like pointless work just simple calculations for concentration of drug into bag, finding drug and injecting it in. Every once and a while I look up what the drug is used for.

My question is should I try learning more about the drugs (class, clearing time, uses, side effects, conflicts) or should I just continue the grunt work and wait for the real knowledge in medical school?

I wouldn't stress yourself out over it, but why not try to pick something up on the fly? I would focus on class, mechanism of action, side effects, route of clearence (hepatic Vs. renal), and whether the drug can be used in pregnancy. Dosing is generally less important... pharmacists are on hand at most hospitals to help answer difficult dosing questions.

-PB

 

[tupac_don]

I got accepted to medical school and right now am working as a pharm tech in a IV room at the hospital making all the IVs, syringes, chemo for the whole hospital.

It seems like pointless work just simple calculations for concentration of drug into bag, finding drug and injecting it in. Every once and a while I look up what the drug is used for.

My question is should I try learning more about the drugs (class, clearing time, uses, side effects, conflicts) or should I just continue the grunt work and wait for the real knowledge in medical school?

Wait for the real knowledge in med school. Having been both a pharmacist and a tech, I can tell you that it's a huge waste of time as a tech to try to know drugs. You will learn what you need to know in school. Lates.

 

[latinfridley]

I was a pharm tech in college, and worked in an IV lab as well. Its not worth worrying about learning drug stuff now. You'll inevitably pick up stuff as you go, but there is not point making a concerted effort, wait until med school.

 

[usnavdoc]

Completely agree with previous posters. Wait till med school. Pharm is generally a second year course anyway.

If you want to pick up a book and read some before school. Then I would suggest physiology, as there are plenty of books out there that give you a fair understanding as well as being easy reads.

If I were you I would more concentrate on friends and family and enjoy your time prior to school.