ACLS/PALS first timer, feeling overwhelmed

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Hi all,

I'll be taking my first ever ACLS and PALS course ever early January. I've read both books and I'm going through both books again and taking notes.

I'm comfortable with EKGs (heat blocks are always a pain! Haha)

I'm feeling overwhelmed about memorizing everything and taking the test. Just looking for guidance on what to focus on, what the test is like, etc.

Thanks so much for your help 

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Specializes in DNP, PMHNP, FNP-C.

Don't stress over it.  It's probably going to be a Nurse or a Paramedic doing the test and they will drill the questions before the test.  I've never seen a person fail ACLS or PALS and I have probably taken them 8 times each.

The questions and doses are very straight forward

 

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On 12/29/2022 at 5:30 PM, ZyzzFan said:

Don't stress over it.  It's probably going to be a Nurse or a Paramedic doing the test and they will drill the questions before the test.  I've never seen a person fail ACLS or PALS and I have probably taken them 8 times each.

The questions and doses are very straight forward

 

Thanks!

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I remember sitting through my first ACLS class telling myself over and over "I hope I never had to do this in person". I was sure that there was no way I would ever remember all of it. But they do a very good job of breaking it down, making it manageable and at some point you will be able to recite almost all of it without too much effort. And remember, you're almost never the only person around in a crisis. You will have classmates during the class (not on the exam part, but you'll be fine), and when you have to use those skills for the first time, people will have your back. You aren't the only one feeling like you are, everyone has been there. Good luck!

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