Code Blue

Nurses New Nurse

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I'm a new nurse, working on the Med-Surg floor for less than two months, and I've never had a patient code, but am nervous that I won't know what to do when it happens. Sounds silly, but you don't spend a lot of time in school learning how to "run" a code or what's in the crash cart. Any words of advise or website with references??

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
When did I first take ACLS? 4 weeks ago. I am not a new RN, but I wish I had taken it years ago. My point was that ACLS teaches you the basics. I was encouraging a newer nurse. For those who think it has been "watered down" or "dumbed down," well, I'm sorry. I'm sure you had to hike uphill both ways to get there too.

I don't know if you're responding to my query or someone else's, but I also suggested ACLS earlier in the thread. Was just wondering what your frame of reference was for ACLS content now vs. "back in the day," LOL. And yes, barefoot and in the snow, both ways! ;)

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

when did i first take acls? 4 weeks ago.

*** i asked cause you disagreed that acls had been watered down. i wanted to know what your frame of reference was. i am wondering how you have come to the conclusion that acls has not been watered down if you never took it before a month ago? on what do you base your opinion? how do you compair to the class you took 4 weeks ago to acls classes from10 years ago?

i have been an acls instructor for 12 years for several different hospital systems in 4 states. it used to be that only those who needed acls took it. icu, er nurses, paramedics and similar. we were teaching highly motivated people who knew they were going to participate in many codes on a regular basis. now many hospitals want all their acute care nurses to have acls. these nurses are unlikely to see more than a code or two in their career and mony don't even want to be there but it is required. in order to get these people to pass acls has been made easier and much less demanding. we (the other acls instructors i worked with) were told that we needed to get all these people to pass and to stop failing so many, so we did.

i am not a new rn, but i wish i had taken it years ago.

*** me too, then you would have a frame of reference for your opinion that current acls is not a watered down version from what was taught years ago.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

When I took ACLS in 2009 (2005 version), everyone passed. I am taking it again (2010 version) and at least half of the class failed the written test. Megacode is next week so we'll see how that goes!

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Specializes in Perioperative Nursing.

I'm a new graduate nurse as well. When you had your orientation, did they not go over all of the medications and supplies in the crash cart? They should have explained the general sequence of events that would occur when you hit the code blue button. The number one thing to remember is not to panic... you will never be alone during a code blue! As soon as you hit the button tons of health care providers will be running to the rescue. As a new nurse you will most likely be doing compressions... not documenting or administering meds. After the first code talk to the other nurses/your manager to gain insight into what happened, what they did and what more you can do the next time. Good luck!!

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Where can I find specific classes geared towards those that are/want to work in the ED or critical care? If people are saying that ACLS is watered down, then I'd rather have something tougher.

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Is ACLS really "watered down," or is it simply that the algorithms have been refined to a point where all the rough edges that used to require all that extra work have been ground off finally?

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Where can I find specific classes geared towards those that are/want to work in the ED or critical care? If people are saying that ACLS is watered down then I'd rather have something tougher.[/quote']

*** You will have to take ACLS no matter what. If you are looking for a really helpful class I suggest Fundamentals of Critical Care Support.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Is ACLS really "watered down," or is it simply that the algorithms have been refined to a point where all the rough edges that used to require all that extra work have been ground off finally?

*** It has nothing at all to do with that. It has to do with the rigor required and the standards of passing. For example we used to do mega code situations where people took turns being the code team leader and responding to the different problems. Those who failed by failing to act, or responding inappropiatly failed. They were given remediation and if they failed again then they didn't get ACLS. Now pretty much everybody has to pass and we don't even do a real mega code. Now it's more like the instructors walking the team through the code situations and asking the team questions. Anyone who fails the written test is handed back their graded test and given the chance to correct their wrong answers.

Now I understand that other places do it differently but I teach ACLS for several health systems and my impression is that the standards have relaxed considerably. Back when we were only teaching highly motivated ER, ICU, paramedic types it was tougher. Now we teach rehab and med-surg nurses, many of whom do not want to be in the class but do it cause it is required for them.

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Thanks PMFB-RM, great description of the changes from your perspective as a teacher and is much appreciated.

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