Yep, that's right, today I pushed my first drug. Now, for those of you who do not speak "nurse", there is a difference between being a drug "passer" and a drug "pusher".
In all honesty, we have all been a "passer". If you have opened a bottle and provided medicine of any kind, you have been a "passer". Some people pass more than others. (see my sisters log of "passing" to her boys. My Handsome Nephews)
To be a "pusher", you have to spend 2-4 years in school. I won't even tell you how much it costs to learn this.
"Pushing" is when you have an IV and you get some medication through it. Today, I "pushed" Protonix. It is to be given over two minutes. That was the longest two minutes of my life. It makes it even longer when your patient is from the Philippines and has some trouble with English.
It's hard to start any kind of conversation with someone when there is a language barrier and you know that it will take longer to try to communicate then it will to give the medication. So basically, I spent two minutes looking at my watch, smiling and nodded towards the window and said "look, it's sunny out". To which she then nodded.
So, now I can officially add "pusher" to my "things to do in nursing school" list. I have "passed","pushed" and "shot people up".
All in a days work.
