ACLS certification

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Hey! I'm relatively new to the site, and I have a question for any of you who have gotten/are educated about the ACLS certification.

Basically, I'm a first year ASN student and I'm hoping to get my ACLS certification over the summer before things get crazy again with school next year. I'll be taking some classes, but I should have time to go through the initial certification course. I'm not the brightest person in the world, but I'm not about to downplay myself either.

My question is this: Is it feasible? I have close to zero ECG experience, but I'm willing to study before starting the course. I spoke with an AHA rep the other day, and she informed me that they would educate me on how to read ECGs while at the course, but she is an AHA rep, and they want my money just like anyone else.

Please tell me if you think it's feasible, and let me know if you know of any ECG/pre-ACLS study materials that are out there.

Thanks!

James

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Specializes in Emergency.

I would not worry about doing the ACLS during school... your place of employment will pay for it if it is required on your unit.

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Specializes in CTICU.

The ACLS course itself has prestudy materials. If you've done zero ecg, drugs, etc.. I wouldn't bother. It's an ADVANCED course and you need to understand the basics well before bothering to do it.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

I agree with the others. Don't waste your time and money. Wait until you have graduated. Your place of employment should pay for the course if it is required. Good luck in school!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

See if you can aduit the course or take an ACLS prep course.

I am about to graduate in 8 weeks and my current employer is letting me aduit the course, I wont be certified, but at least I can say that I attened the course and then when I do take it, passing it wont be as hard.

At my community college they offer ACLS and a ACLS prep course for first time attenders.

After I aduit the course through my work I plan on taking and getting certified through my college.

The have the prep book, similar to if you have taken BLS and had to get the book there is a book for ACLS and PALS that you should read through prior to taking the class

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The current AHA materials stipulate that ECG interpretation will not be taught in class. The booklet gives only a list of rhythms that you are expected to know before beginning the class.

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First, ACLS is not really a certification as The AHA does not certify you to do anything. Second, ACLS in it's current configuration is so watered down that you will not learn much in the way of advanced cardiology or ECG interpretation. Therefore, focus on school and actually becoming a nurse. The other stuff can wait.

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Thanks for all the replies! Keep 'em coming. I'm still trying to decide. One of the reasons I would like my ACLS is to give me a leg up on getting into an ER/ICU straight out of school.

The AHA website also has a "Pre-ACLS" course that teaches you how to read rhythms... I'm wondering if that would be worth it. I'm very interested in it, and genuinely want to get my ACLS. I appreciate all of the advise (because that's what I asked for in my initial post) but I suppose I already had my heart set on it and want to know how I could best equip myself for the course.

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Specializes in NICU Transport/NICU.

My best recommendation would be to take a Basic EKG course this summer. You will find that course to be invaluable when you study the cardiac portion of Nursing school. I'm not sure how your cirriculum is set up, but taking that course put me well ahead of my classmates when we learned cardiac function and disease. After you learn that portion of Nursing School, which you should be taught a lot of the different cardiac drugs used, then take the ACLS course. You will have a good amount of the nuts and bolts that you will need for ACLS be most effective.

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My best recommendation would be to take a Basic EKG course this summer. You will find that course to be invaluable when you study the cardiac portion of Nursing school. I'm not sure how your cirriculum is set up, but taking that course put me well ahead of my classmates when we learned cardiac function and disease. After you learn that portion of Nursing School, which you should be taught a lot of the different cardiac drugs used, then take the ACLS course. You will have a good amount of the nuts and bolts that you will need for ACLS be most effective.

Thanks for the information!

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I agree with NickB. I was required to take a "Basic Arrhythmias" course before taking ACLS. This helped nail down some of the strip interpretations and common drugs. It really solidified what I learned in nursing school during the cardiac unit. The book I used was "ECG Workout" by Jane Huff. Bet you can find it on Amazon. Good luck to you!

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I dont mean to sound so negative but can people fail this class? I got the review book yesterday which is Friday and I'm supoose to be taking acls class in 3 days. Now i'm trying to read the whole book and now I'm feeling overwhelmed. I have this dooming feeling that I better delay until the next class.

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