ACLS course

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 30, 2012

have questions regarding ACLS. i have already looked at tons of links on this site already. i inquired at several classes, some 2 days some 6 hrs. I need to know what the ACLS test is like. Ive read one does not have to pass the mega code but a written exam pass is a must. How was a class you attended? I do not know of anyone who has done this class (im a student) otherwise i would just ask them directy, thank you everyone

Since you are a student, and not having taken ACLS, I would highly suggest you take the 16 hour course. That is normally done over 2 days. You will have to get the book before you take the class. This also means that you will have to do a fair amount of self-study before you get to the class. You will need to know the basic rhythms that they show you. They will show you that stuff in class, however, it will not be anything more than a review. They will not have the time to teach you the rhythms in depth. They will teach you the algorithms that they use in ACLS. They should then also take you through a mock mega code before you do the real thing. If there are any paramedics in your class, or people that have taken ACLS before, watch what they do. You will probably have to function as both a team leader and as a member of the team in the class. The exam is going to be probably some sort of a multiple-choice test and the mega code is essentially going to be pass/fail. Chances are the mega code will have at least 2 or 3 different rhythms that will have to deal with.

Honestly, ACLS is not that hard, but it can be intimidating at 1st. I have taken ACLS 3 or 4 times now and I have yet to meet an instructor that does not want his or her students to pass. I think I have only seen one person ever completely fail the class.

One other thing, since this is your 1st time taking ACLS, do it in person. You will have a much more difficult time trying to figure it all out on your own if you have not done ACLS before. You would probably flounder during mega code if you do the online self-study version if you have not ever taken ACLS. Codes have a particular rhythm to them. That is why I suggest you observe people that have taken the class before, and you can only do that in person while in class.

Good luck, have fun, enjoy the class!

noctanol · Oct 30, 2012

Thank you, akulahawk, was thinking of doing the 2 day one. Do you use/suggest any particular websites that are novice friendly. I'm already studying strips slowly each day. I have also looked at some of the drugs (epi, lidocaine, atropine etc)

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 30, 2012

As far as the basic rhythms are concerned, you probably could just go to ACLS EKG | ACLS Algorithms and use those strips to learn from. Each strip also has a corresponding pathophys description to go along with it. The mega code simulators use generated waveforms that will look pretty close to what you see in those strips.

As to the drugs, ask yourself why you'd use a particular drug. Each one is there for a particular reason. What does Epi do? What does atropine do? What does amiodarone do? As you answer those questions, look them up in the algorithms and see where they're used, and then put those together and you'll have a better understanding of why they're used in that particular algorithm... and why you shouldn't use some drugs in particular algorithms or with particular rhythms.

A video that you might be able to use (and a follow-on video) can be found on youtube:

The rhythms aren't all that difficult to learn and once you understand them, you'll find that you can pick them out fairly easily. The hard part will be putting that together with the appropriate algorithm and when to do things. Your ACLS instructor will be able to help you (and the class) figure that stuff out.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 30, 2012

AHA owns this course and they recommend the 2-day course for people who have not taken the course before. It is a good idea to learn lethal heart rhythms. Megacode is recommended by AHA also. What good is it to learn the didactics if you cannot perform the actual code?

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 30, 2012

Day 1 of ACLS: learning all about heart rhythms, compressions, rescue breathing, AEDs, and starting on the algorithms.

Day 2 of ACLS: a brief review of day 1, more details on the algorithms, and then you will put what you've learned into practice with code scenarios. There is a written final exam and then the megacode (the hands-on final exam).

If you are a first-timer, you NEED to take the two day course because there is a lot to cover. The only way I'd consider skipping it is if you are already certified in EKG interpretation.

VANurse2010 · Oct 30, 2012

Personally, I'd question how much value it has and how much you'd really get out of it as a student - unless you're in rescue and likely to use it.

noctanol · Nov 1, 2012

Personally, I'd question how much value it has and how much you'd really get out of it as a student - unless you're in rescue and likely to use it.

did it passed it and now acls certified. i really just wanted to get it off the way. i want to get some icu experience then probably be part of a code/rapid response team so this was just the basics. been an lvn/lpn for 4 yrs, fixing to graduate RN in a month. thanks everyone for the reply s

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 1, 2012

did it passed it and now acls certified. i really just wanted to get it off the way. i want to get some icu experience then probably be part of a code/rapid response team so this was just the basics. been an lvn/lpn for 4 yrs, fixing to graduate RN in a month. thanks everyone for the reply s

See? ACLS isn't that bad! You probably realized that you knew more than you thought you did. After you've worked a couple of codes, you'll really see how useful knowing all the stuff involved can be, and you'll start to make order out of the chaos. Hopefully you also now have a greater appreciation for the need for teamwork during a code.