[2003rn]

I am a second year nursing student, we started class on Aug.19. Our first unit is on the CVS. I think the instructor spent about an hour on EKG strips and I don't think that was enough time. Are there any tricks to help to remember things like which kind of arrythmia, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

[mattcastens]

First of all, remember that you're still in school. Usually one or two hours is all that any school will spend on rhythm interpretation. No hospital anywhere will expect you to be an expert on rhythms when you first graduate, and all hospitals that I know of will have rhythm classes that are required before you start taking patients on monitors.

That being said, if you are really interested in learning more, that's great! I would suggest two books: the first is ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy. I don't know the authors off hand, but I know you can have any bookstore order it for you. The second is Rapid Interpretation of EKGs, by Dale Dubin, MD. Both of these books are what I recommend to my students as excellent basic interpretation texts.

Good luck!

[LPN & EMT-CT]

You might want to try this web site as well http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/ecg
it has tests and instructions and how to start from the very basics and work yourself up to a pro.
Hope this helps.
David-VA

[renerian]

I am returning back to the hospital after 11 years in home health. Got tired of putting 500 to 800 miles per week on my car to see patients............3 to 4 tanks of gas a week................I will be going to tele classes......never had tele on the floor I worked on...........thanks for the tip...


renerian

[Coldfoot]

The only way to get really good at EKG's is to look at a lot. Memorize the basic arrythmia's and know what is "normal". After that it's just looking at lots and lots of strips

[midwestRN]

See if you can enroll in your local hospitals Basic Arrhythmia class. Our's is only 1 day and non-employees can go for a small fee.

[Sleepyeyes]

I'm working on a MS/Tele unit and I havefound both of those books mentioned by Matt as very helpful.

Additionally, you might want to look at these websites:

(not just for docs, this is a preview and sample tutorial of the Dubin book) http://www.themdsite.com/physicians.htm

http://www.v-tachonline.com/

http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/ecg/tests/index.html

[RNConnieF]

http://skillstat.com/index2.htm

[lee1]

Originally posted by LPN & EMT-CT
You might want to try this web site as well http://medlib.med.utah.edu/kw/ecg
it has tests and instructions and how to start from the very basics and work yourself up to a pro.
Hope this helps.
David-VA

GREAT site, have bookmarked it for my students

[mark_LD_RN]

you are rightthat is not enough time. We spend more time on them than that ,but remember there is not enough time in school to teach you everything.we just try to cover all the basics.

but check out the website that LPN&EMT-CT recommended it is a good one, alsoif you like there are plenty good books available on this topic as well as videos. I think springhouse sells them.
if that is the area you want to work you can take basic arrhythmia courses then move on to more advanced ones,