ACLS for experienced providers

ERNurse752, RN · Mar 9, 2004

Has anyone taken ACLS for experienced providers? If so, what was it like?
Thanks in advance!

I signed up for the class but wound up not being able to attend. I do have the book, however. Interested in the topics covered in the book? If so, I can list them on here when I get home at some point.

:)

Trauma Columnist · Mar 9, 2004

I did ACLS-EP last August - much more case-based and NO MEGACODE! Nice for experienced people - much more useful than regular ACLS.

Be_Bodhi_Pure · Mar 9, 2004

traumaRUs,

Can you tell me how to sign up for ACLS-EP? (where and who should we contact?)How much is this kind of course? and what's the exam format? Thanks.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 10, 2004

I'm an ER RN so the ER paid for the class - I think it was $160 (?). There was a rhythm recognition test and general test on ACLS protocols. I would contact your EMS unit - what state are you in? What about your hospital education and development office?

Be_Bodhi_Pure · Mar 11, 2004

TraumaRUs,

I am a fulltime ADN student, try to find a part time job in the hospital, but application in with no reply. I plan to try again the end of semester. I am in IL too.I just curious about the ACLS, and came out with those questions. Thanks to reply. Appreciate it :)

suzanne4, RN · Mar 12, 2004

You will need to take the regular ACLS provider course first, then you take the EP set. The EP is for healthcare providers that have taken the course already.

Good luck.

Jay Levan · Mar 12, 2004

traumaRUs,
Can you tell me how to sign up for ACLS-EP? (where and who should we contact?)How much is this kind of course? and what's the exam format? Thanks.

Does your facility have an Nursing Education Department? If not Check with AHA.com :) Jay

Trauma Columnist · Mar 12, 2004

Be Bodhi Pure - whereabouts in Illinois are you? I work in the level one trauma center in Peoria, IL. If you want to PM me - I'll be glad to give you a phone number.

zambezi, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2004

I just took this class yesterday for my recert and it was pretty easy. Our hospital offers it free through the ed department for employees.

The morning started off with basic review of the algorhythms and changes made in the previous two years. Then we had a breakout session in groups of three and practiced megacodes...one of us the was the team leader (a spot we rotated though) and the moderator gave us scenarios...you know the drill (if you did well in these sessions you didn't have to take the "megacode" test at the end...but they didn't tell us that while we were doing them...). After that we spent about an hour going through the tachycardia algorhythm and some practice scenarios. For our test there was the "real megacode" (if you preformed well during the practice sessions then this section was waived), a written test, and a "therapeutic modalities" test...about five questions where you had a scenario, had to read an ekg strip, and answer a couple of what to do next/what drug would you choose/how many joules would you shock with, etc. kind fo questions. It was a pretty laid back session...about six hours with a 45 minute break for lunch.

On another note, it truly amazes me how nervous some people get about this. Granted, I don't remember the old days but this class (and the first time I was certed two years ago--as a student) were pretty user friendly, our instructor even said that if we had good rationale we could debate or discuss test questions with him... I can see how someone that never uses ACLS at least weekly might be a little nervous just because they don't do it much and they are put on the spot...but those that work in critical care/er...I just don't get it. We use it daily on real people. The drugs we use frequently, we know what they do. Why should a class make you nervous? Mabye it is anxiety of being put on the spot, I can see how that is never comfortable. Anyway, I am putting my flame suit on now...I guess I was just surpised at how nervous some of my classmates were and surpised about some of their answers to questions about certain meds/therapies (mabye it was just an anxitey thing, I don't know).

CCU NRS · Apr 5, 2004

My facility actualy bought a program for computer training in ACLS it is AMA approved for recert. You are allowed 30 hours to complete the course and all exams once you have an official login. I really didn't think I would like it because i always have enjoyed the chance to discuss things with the other students and watching the megacodes for experience. It was OK though. I actually just went one day and did it in 8 hours and completed it.