ACLS should always be 2 days and in person!

[Emergent]

I'm of strong opinion that courses like ACLS should NEVER be taught via a computer program. Worksheets, reading materials, practice tests are okay, but not the course itself.

I also feel strongly that everyone should ALWAYS complete both days. No skipping day one if recertifying. Even in the ER, codes are rare. These skills are too important the teach in a half-assed fashion.

[brownbook]

I think you make a good argument. I went from codes maybe ???? two to four a month to no codes in over 15 years. I keep renewing but still would feel like a fish out of water in a code.

If I could design the ideal ACLS for staff who have renewed maybe five times in the past, but rarely have codes, I would have the instructors come to our unit once a year and go through codes using our equipment. Staff could study on their own and take a written test, then come to the mock code practice on their unit.

[chivon101]

Two days In ACLS...... I would shot myself. I work in a busy ED also. Not only do we perform codes on a regular but we transcutaneous and cardiovert. In the ED you see codes, svt, symptomatic bradycardia... Etc, others things that keeps you using your skills learned in ACLS, no need for two days. A one day refresher is plenty

[bebbercorn]

I get what you're saying, but I've done a few rounds of ACLS training, with one on the computer. What I liked about the computer training was that I could review the code and everything I did was documented and timed. I could go back and review it. Skills eval should always be hands on. Also, it took me less time.

[Emergent, RN]

The reason for my post is that my new job requires a two day re-certification, it was an awesome course by one of our paramedics. I really got a lot out of it. Also, the more experienced people and those less exposed to codes interact, it's more holistic and better for everyone. Also, every time, it seems like there are new guidelines.

Call me old fashioned, but I'm a believer in hands on, in person instruction.

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

We are starting a new training program. Every 3 months we have to do a piece of the training and demonstrate a skill. It is supposed to provide continuous training instead of recertification every 2 years. We'll see how it goes. I haven't made up my mind about it quite yet.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

I have been an RN since 1987, and have kept my ACLS up that long. Back when we had to intubate, start intra-osseous on chicken legs, etc., it did take 2 days. But now ACLS has been so dumb-downed, and so much has been taken away, that really one day is all you need. RN's can no longer intubate in my state (don't know about every body else) and my hospital will not allow us to start an intra-osseous, only a physician here can, so there isn't much left to learn in ACLS.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

After many years of recertification in an in-person class I actually learned some stuff using the online version.

Since ACLS has been dumbed down so much I actually like the online version better. Back in the days when only highly motivated staff took ACLS, that is ER and ICU types it was better and I would have agreed with you. Now that every med-surg nurse, who knows perfectly well they are never going to use the skills, must pass to keep their jobs, the whole thing has kind of turned into a joke.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

ACLS isn't rocket science. Yes, skills practice should be in person hands on but the rest is fine to do online- in every recert I've been to, we watch the exact same tired videos.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

We are starting a new training program. Every 3 months we have to do a piece of the training and demonstrate a skill. It is supposed to provide continuous training instead of recertification every 2 years. We'll see how it goes. I haven't made up my mind about it quite yet.

Sounds like misery to me. I am on the code team, am an ACLS instructor, and the code administrator. I get plenty of practice on the 2-4 codes a week I respond to, sometimes as the code team leader.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

If you have a lot of codes, a 2 day re-certification class is totally unnecessary. If you rarely ever have codes, that extra day isn't going to keep you on top of things for very long.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

PALS and ACLS are a joke now anyways. It is one of the reasons I stopped teaching them.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I'm of strong opinion that courses like ACLS should NEVER be taught via a computer program. Worksheets, reading materials, practice tests are okay, but not the course itself.

I also feel strongly that everyone should ALWAYS complete both days. No skipping day one if recertifying. Even in the ER, codes are rare. These skills are too important the teach in a half-assed fashion.

You do realize that ACLS renewal is traditionally 1 day? The initial cert is 2 days? As for codes in the ER, it depends on the ER. Our ER sees codes frequently because we have a cath lab.

I do not agree with how they do ACLS at my current facility. I had to renew early and another girl who was hired with me never took the class before. They had us in the same class but split us up later on. I think renewals and initial ACLS classes need to be separate. They also forgot to give her a book so I had to give her a quick run down of the drugs.