ECG & Pharmacology course

Hey -
I was like you, and I was terrified of ACLS. I wanted to take the Prep course too, but I couldn't find one. I did contact a CNA EKG instructor (Cardiac RN) and for $50 she sat with me and went through all the rhythms - I was so nervous that I was way.... overly prepared! She laughed at how much I had studied!

I actually finished a 2-day ACLS course with Criticalconceptsusa.com (a large FL co) and we DIDN'T even do a Mega-code, and we did a GROUP test! This was my class - it's possible they aren't all this way obviously.

I COULDN'T believe it! This class was $200 and 2 days, so I thought that I was taking a thorough class - the instructor was a flight RN so she was VERY knowledgeable, but there was just NO hands on experience... I was pretty disappointed. I'm a new nurse and I really wish there had been more personal interaction - not just group. 3/4's of the class were MD's, who had NO idea what the algorithms were, so that in itself was disturbing!! She just asked the class some questions about the algorithms, so that was our Code I guess....

I understand that in a code there is a team effort - but it would have been helpful to have had the Code & get feedback. I'm sure most would think I'm crazy for complaining, but I really need this knowledge for my unit.

My advice is - STUDY, STUDY for your own knowledge, but from my experience, and from what I've been told it's NOT that bad. Also, several course providers told me that the Self Assessments on the AHA CD are much more difficult than the real test - so if you can pass those you will be fine.

GOOD LUCK! You will be fine!