ACLS Heartcode via AHA?

[MassED, BSN, RN]

Has anyone tried this online course? The skills portion still is hands on through an approved instructor near where you live, however this is quite challenging!

I do love it, but it plays out like a real patient and you have to choose everything for that patient. We are not doctors, but this plays out like we are, which is pretty fun. It's expected you do everything in order from A - Z. Very interesting! I haven't gotten to the end yet, where I'm tested, but each scenario you have to pass before you can go onto the next. I'm currently on one and each time I reattempt, it's a new scenario. It's just the coolest thing. For someone like me, I learn best when I'm on my own and can go over and over it without pressure from a group. This is awesome.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I have....it's challenging even for an experienced nurse. It is very cool though.

[CherylRNBSN]

I just finished post test about a week ago.

I am a critical care nurse away from the bedside for (gulp) 14 yrs.

I LOVED IT. It was like playing a game. It was actually FUN.

I go for skills check this week. I made one mistake, so here's a warning: DO NOT complete post test until you are finished studying, b/c they lock you out of course. So now I am stuck with only manual to prepare for skills check. ANd it would have been SOOOO much more fun to code those virtual patients!

Good luck!

[sserrn, BSN]

I did BLS recert via online HeartCode for the first time today, and I feel like I learned a lot! I actually found myself wishing there were more scenarios.

[jkr2020788]

My hospital uses this to treat all of our ACLS nurses. I like everything about except for the little red x's they put next to all of the "extra" things even if its not wrong. I did however play around with all the drugs you can give on one of the scenarios, i was surprised how accurate the pt reacted to the different meds lol.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

I just finished post test about a week ago.

I am a critical care nurse away from the bedside for (gulp) 14 yrs.

I LOVED IT. It was like playing a game. It was actually FUN.

I go for skills check this week. I made one mistake, so here's a warning: DO NOT complete post test until you are finished studying, b/c they lock you out of course. So now I am stuck with only manual to prepare for skills check. ANd it would have been SOOOO much more fun to code those virtual patients!

Good luck!

great to know! Does it seem that the cases change each time you go over them? It really is so cool. I wish there was bicarb, calcium, etc., that you really would give in a code. This type of learning is right up my alley. LOVE it.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

My hospital uses this to treat all of our ACLS nurses. I like everything about except for the little red x's they put next to all of the "extra" things even if its not wrong. I did however play around with all the drugs you can give on one of the scenarios, i was surprised how accurate the pt reacted to the different meds lol.

I did that too! I learned that you really can eliminate that heart rate with the wrong med!! Fun!

[CherylRNBSN]

Yes!!! The cases definitely change each time you go over them.

I had a "patient" who came in on the bradycardia algorithm. So I gave Atropine. But then he arrested. Post arrest, after the epi, since he came in with bradycardia, I decided to go ahead and give another dose of atropine (b/c HR was still low, and it was originally brady algorithm), but ACLS did NOT like that!

My advice: strictly follow whatever algorithm the pt. has become, and don't get all fancy!

Stabilize, and transfer to specialty care!

Isn't it fun?

[CherylRNBSN]

No option for bicarb! Though I so wanted to give it. Can't resuscitate an acidotic patient!

[crb613, BSN, RN]

At my hospital it can only be used for re-certification, and first timers still have to do the class. I did like a lot of you..I was really looking for drugs that I wanted to give, and had no option! It has a few gliches, but I did enjoy it, and I learn much better this way! We also do BLS, and PALS like this too.

[CherylRNBSN]

Just want to correct something in my above post and share what I just found out.

My skills check is scheduled for tomorrow. I called and wanted to postpone it a few days, b/c I felt like I needed to spend more time making sure I had drug dosages down cold.

Well, the lady informed me that I wouldn't be doing that tomorrow. I said, what, no mega code? SHe said no, you already did that online. You're done with all that.

Told me that all I had to do tomorrow was demonstrate proficiency with BLS (CPR), and choose and insert airways. Said it would only take about 20 min.

Also told me to call tech support, b/c I should have access to the online content for one year.

Just wanted to let everyone know. Has anyone done skills check? Did she leave anything out?

[MassED, BSN, RN]

Just want to correct something in my above post and share what I just found out.

My skills check is scheduled for tomorrow. I called and wanted to postpone it a few days, b/c I felt like I needed to spend more time making sure I had drug dosages down cold.

Well, the lady informed me that I wouldn't be doing that tomorrow. I said, what, no mega code? SHe said no, you already did that online. You're done with all that.

Told me that all I had to do tomorrow was demonstrate proficiency with BLS (CPR), and choose and insert airways. Said it would only take about 20 min.

Also told me to call tech support, b/c I should have access to the online content for one year.

Just wanted to let everyone know. Has anyone done skills check? Did she leave anything out?

That sounds great! Would make sense that the patient cases online are the skills testing. What would be the purpose of only checking off BLS?? Interesting. Let me know how it goes! I have to choose (or anyone online) one of 10 people in my area for my checkoff. I think some choices are EMS crews... but how did you choose who is checking you off?