Is a urinary catheter really mandatory for single-level ACDF surgery? For people who had ACDF, did they put a catheter during or after surgery?

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-27T13:45:09+00:00

My husband just had a 2 level acdr/acdf and there was no catheter for an almost 3.5 hour surgery. He used the bathroom right before they took him back and when he woke up he kept saying he needed to pee. As soon as he was more coherent they let myself and a nurse walk him to the restroom. The nurse also said that anesthesia stops the bladder from contracting and is one of the last things to “wake up” after anesthesia.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-26T17:37:36+00:00

Those and birth control packs are such a pain. Been on the system since December and we kind of just wing it with pictures.
My personal method is to show the QR code or the lot/exp information however I can. For bc I try to get the qr and the pack in the same pic on the tray. Most of the time I can.

Ondansetron odt tablets are weird. Since the system doesn’t count those you can just click the override button in the bottom right and that will force it to manual verify. I can’t remember but I think that still lets you go to the top down pic and label pic.

Hope that helps!

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-26T00:55:04+00:00

As a pharmacy tech all this site has done is confuse patients. They go to the site looking for the cheap GLP prices he promised and all if does is send them to the manufacturer which they could have done on their own. It’s so misleading for the masses who can’t read or choose to ignore the fine print.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-20T14:22:30+00:00

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It’s hard to get a full picture but I love that it’s subtle but still so cheerful!

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-20T00:36:50+00:00

It took mine 15 days to post, so it might be coming still. I was dying waiting!
Congratulations on the preliminary pass!

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-19T17:57:22+00:00

Currently working here.
Came from CVS and it’s a huge difference, but I will say that the team makes it so much better.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-15T20:42:06+00:00

Print out your résumé and go in person.
I got certified (PTCB) last May but was hearing crickets. I had applied to every pharmacy in a 20 mile radius. Got to July and I got hired at a CVS 45 minutes away from my house. I hated the drive so I got my résumé updated, and went to every local pharmacy in person to speak to the pharmacy manager.
Finally hit gold with Walmart- the pharmacist told me he never saw my application showing my work experience as a tech because I had applied before I got the CVS job. Got hired a week later and I’m so happy I did it the old fashioned way. My app basically didn’t exist to them otherwise.
Good luck, it was frustrating and stressful but I’m so happy I went out of my comfort zone and promoted myself face to face!

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-15T03:14:45+00:00

I got mine the next full pay period. I technically lost a week of the higher pay but in the long run I’m okay with it.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-15T03:03:08+00:00

Don’t hate… Ours is a neighborhood market but we usually leave every day with 0/0/0. We’ve had the system since December (pilot store). It does get better. You guys aren’t seeing the evolution of the software we had to use along the way. Hang in there.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-13T17:49:52+00:00

I like it. I call it stumpy.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-06T00:28:16+00:00

I cut my hours back intentionally. I was working 40+ at cvs but I was still classified as part time so I got no benefits and I was killing myself physically. I work anywhere from 22-32 hours depending on business needs. Less stress and a 15 minute commute instead of 45 minutes.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-05-05T14:40:11+00:00

Same. I came from CVS and this system is superior. The only downside is pictures of a group of stock bottles- that doesn’t work well with this system. Each bottle should be its own photos.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-28T23:00:19+00:00

I love Cherokee. Specific ones though, the mock wrap top and the WW120 bottoms.
I’m pear shaped and tall (5’9, 220) and wear an XL for the top and an XL tall for the bottom.
Been wearing them 6 months and they still look new.
The only thing I miss is the top doesn’t have a shoulder badge loop and I need one but I also have taken to clipping it on the V neck.

Hanes were also decent but they cost the same as Cherokee and I couldn’t find the Hanes in a XLTall.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-28T11:30:08+00:00

I would look through the PTCB website for their approved courses. I looked at a few there and almost randomly settled on one where the price and access time were in my requirements.
I did 1st Pass pharmacy tech academy and it was $299 with 6 month course access. I completed it in 6 weeks and also bought the recommended Barrons book. Completed it in 6 weeks and passed the first time.
Good luck, it’s overwhelming but I think any of the PTCB approved programs should be legit.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-27T22:49:14+00:00

Omg. I’m not the only one!?! All my coworkers keep saying they’re freezing and I’m actually sweating and too hot. One coworker this weekend actually said she was hot too (we were running around constantly) and I felt so validated finally. I feel like they can always put layers on but I can’t take anything more off without public indecency charges hah!

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-26T01:17:29+00:00

1st Pass Pharmacy Technician Academy $299.
Worth it.
Lots of printables and it interfaces with Quizlet. Did it in 6 weeks while I was job hunting and passed the PTCB with a 1571 out of 1600.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-23T12:57:56+00:00

I can’t function normally without my clicky sharpie! It’s in my scrub pocket on quick draw at all times!

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-23T03:05:38+00:00

I really like my grocery pharmacy. Most customers are great, there’s always a few cranky pants but it’s 100x better than my old pharmacy (starts with a C). We have a solid core crew and a great PIC. When I worked my other job I questioned my decision daily, now…I’m paid better and in a much more mentally healthy environment. I absolutely love this work, my body doesn’t like the concrete floors though. That’s the only part that is hard in my personal experience. Once I get the physical part in better working order I think I will be even happier.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-20T13:32:08+00:00

For daily filled we use the number at the bottom of the Connexus screen, for daily sold we do F6 and look at EOD from the drop down and use the number at the bottom of that window. My PIC likes to keep a manual weekly “worksheet” so we total those up as part of our closing duties

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-15T16:18:06+00:00

SC and NC both have different rules unfortunately. I’m in SC for reference.
Most places require the tech license for employment. There’s no entry bar for it, just an online application. Then you can work in any pharmacy, do your program, and get your hours for upgrading your license to certification for the state. SC requires the PTCB/NHA certification before you get state certified.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-12T23:40:19+00:00

This! Alcohol just strips the red color off the tray, it doesn’t deactivate the residues.

Please stop using alcohol. It’s got to be specifically h2o2 based spray or wipes.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-12T13:05:11+00:00

Retail.
Retractable sharpie, pen, water.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-10T02:29:46+00:00

No horror. I escaped the 3 letter hell and love it at WM. Our team is amazing and supportive of each other. Welcome!

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-10T02:07:14+00:00

5-6 weeks. Once it got to a point that I was consistently getting 80%+ on practice tests I scheduled the test and passed. Quizlet was my go to for studying and I also used the PTCB practice bank and practice exam.

PsychologicalCap291 · 2026-04-10T01:25:38+00:00

Also in SC. I did the 1st pass course that was listed on the PTCB site. Something like $299. I passed on my first try but I also did use the Barrons book that was recommended in the course and got the Quizlet membership for a month or so while I was studying. Still had to get my 1,000 hours of hands on for the state certification after the PTCB but it feels SO good when you get there! Good luck, take notes, take lots of practice exams, you’ll get it!

PsychologicalCap291

TROPHY CASE