ACLS certification

Nurses General Nursing

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So I am a new grad and I am scheduled to do the ACLS skills testing on the 11th. I'm really over my head with most of it. It's not like I havent heard the stuff before but I haven't had the real life scenarios so make it sink in. I already paid so I was wondering if anyone had any tips on the skills part. I don't know how hard it will be to pass it. I'm kind of freaked out and burnt out from studying everything!! I took my nclex t two days ago and have this in another week..... I always do this to myself! Like most nurses I'm type A and have bebeen trainedto be a crazy over achiever!! Help?

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Specializes in ICU.

Please do not stress over the ACLS. It is so simple these days~ nothing like it used to be! Just know your basic CPR, how to use the defibrillator, and of course rhythm recognition. The written test is really easy, and you will probably be doing the skills part together as a group. It is designed to pass, so if you do not do well, you will get to know where your weaknesses are and take it again. I never hear of anyone actually failing the ACLS.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

It really isn't like it used to be. It's a whole lot easier than it was. Know the rhythms. Know how to do good, high-quality CPR, and know how to use the defibrillator as outlined in the program. As far as what drug to push and when to push it, even that's gotten pretty easy compared to what it used to be. Don't stress out about it. I've rarely heard of anyone actually failing the course. Quite honestly, you'd have to be complete bone-head who actually tries to fail in order to fail the course. I'm not saying you shouldn't study, or that you shouldn't have gone over the material, but if you've managed to get through the academics portion of the class, you're basically 95% there to passing the course as a whole.

I've been taking ACLS since the 2000 revision. It was difficult back then... and even then very few people actually failed the course.

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Thanks for the responses! It seems so overwhelming!!

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Specializes in CWON - Certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse.

Just like the other posters have said it was extremely stressful years ago. Diarrhea stressful! ;)

ACLS is very different these days....if you missed a step in anything previously you failed. Now, it's more of a team approach and the people who are running the codes w/ you are able to interject and include something you might've missed. The written test is cake. You will be just fine! Look at the algorithms!

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

Yes I have heard that previously ACLS was run by wolves. Literally, they would unleash a pack of starving ravenous wolves into the room and you would have to learn ACLS their way. Also, all classes were located atop an ice/sleet/snow-covered mountain surrounded by lightning and embattled stone giants; the student was expected to make it up just to attend. Now it's pretty much a day at a spa. Heed the previous posters.

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ACLS is a learning environment. You don't need to know crap before you show up for class. (well, other than BLS basics and a very slight familiarity with cardiac rhythms )

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ACLS isn't bad at all. You work in groups which in my opinion is less stressful. Read the book, take the practice tests and you will be fine. Know your rhythms: vfib, vtach, asystole, PEA, NSR, afib. Know your meds: epi, vaso, amio, adenosine. Know the algorithms. You will be fine. :)

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I may caution against false hope here. I passed, but not everyone I know has. Where I took the course, the written test is 50 multiple choice questions, you have one hour to complete it, you cannot have any help from other people, and you have to get an 84 to pass. Running the mega code” is nuts and fun, and a learning experience I enjoyed. There are usually a nice variety of professionals in the class, with different experiences. I would recommend knowing the EKG backwards and forwards especially the blocks, and the drugs. And of course, as much working knowledge of BLS as possible.

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As previous posters have pointed out ACLs is no longer the nightmare it use to be. You have already scheduled the class so try and relax and just do your best.

I would tell anyone else reading this that has not already scheduled their class, the online + skills check really isn't a good option for new nurses or anyone not already familiar with this course. It is a time flexible quick option for people who already know the content and just need a quick refresher and an update on the latest science.

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Specializes in CVICU CCRN.

This is a great little website that I used when I initially took acls. It really helped with rhythm recognition - I wasn't a new grad but hadn't worked on the floor yet; I went straight to the OR and then transferred to cardiac and became a code team member. So, anyway -- great prep. Quick, concise, affordable and very very pertinent to both the written test and mega code. I paid for the membership because I didn't feel like reading a ton of chapters before hand, and thought this was a great resource. Good luck - you've received great advice from other posters as well. We have a really fun group at most of our classes and the collaborative learning environment is really nice.

https://acls-algorithms.com

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Yes I have heard that previously ACLS was run by wolves. Literally, they would unleash a pack of starving ravenous wolves into the room and you would have to learn ACLS their way. Also, all classes were located atop an ice/sleet/snow-covered mountain surrounded by lightning and embattled stone giants; the student was expected to make it up just to attend. Now it's pretty much a day at a spa. Heed the previous posters.

:cat:

Dragons! you forgot the fire breathing dragons! when I did it ahem.... years ago we had to know every drug, dosage, rhythm, protocol etc. Not sure if it's still like that or not

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