ACLS/PALS

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Apr 29, 2011

I'm taking both in May. A friend just took ACLS last month and she said that instructors told her that "just remember when you are in a code like this, you're never alone" Not saying to take the class lightly, but at least that may be able to alleviate some of the fear.

Our instructors repeated that very thing many, many times... YOU ARE NOT ALONE...

RNCoastiewife · Apr 29, 2011

Who said it was a joke?

billyboblewis · Apr 30, 2011

I did not say it was a joke but the teaching of ACLS has deteriorated a great deal since I took my first 2 day course. I am sure that you will find many people that will corroborate this statement. Also I have been told that passing acls confirms that you are familiar with the American Heart Associations standards for a code, nothing more nothing less. You dont have to have a great deal of ekg knowledge to pass ACLS just the ability to see certain patterns.

Argo · Apr 30, 2011

I agree with billybob. It is sooooooo watered down and easy now compared to 10 yearago. People would literally leave crying from these classes. The tests and megacodes at most places are so easy its crazy. I suggest finding one othe more challenging classes around because you really do learn more from the challenge. They are both great classes to take and can be informative. In san antonio there's a place called master train that is excellent. 90% of hospital based classes are a joke.

Also... learn this stuff and all you can to better yourself. I have been in a few codes where I was with some people that could probably not wipe their rears without direction including physicians. Sucks for 5-10 minutes until a team shows up to help. Take an airway course too.

RI Nurse · Apr 30, 2011

thank you all for your input, I really appreciate it, this is a great website, thank you all so much.

electricblack · Jun 23, 2013

So I took this $375 dollar course at Mount Sinai in a rush thinking it would help me land a job faster, plus a friend said it was not as hard as everyone claims it to be.

First of all, I am far from what you would consider "comfortable" with ECG's and I only bumped into this conversation just a few bit ago...and tomorrow's my second and final day of the course (yes I'll be tested).

Due to my lack of planning, so many went wrong. I rushed into a course without realizing I did need to have some ECG knowledge, I applied for the course a few days before it started (so I did not have time to prepare). Finally, out of the 18 students in the course, I am the only RN and the rest are Residents---I am not sure exactly if they do RNs and MDs separately and I just happen to apply for this one because it was the soonest.

I am sweating buckets just like I did the whole day today because I was trying to digest as much of the information being given to us. I did alright in the simulation--mainly because I wasn't the leader (and they are expecting me to do that tomorrow).

To pass the course you have to get an 84% or higher on the written 50 multiple question test and perform fairly well as a Team Leader during a Megacode.

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I know I screwed myself on this one and I probably might end up wasting the rest of my money because I might not show up tomorrow and just email them that I do not feel comfortable doing the test. Either way I did have some good exposure within the 8 hours that I was with them. I will probably take an ECG Reading course prior to doing this again.

****I did want to add though that if you are looking for a very challenging course...this is definitely the one to take and the Instructors are very good at what they do, I just happened to be very behind from the rest of the class.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 23, 2013

So I took this $375 dollar course at Mount Sinai in a rush thinking it would help me land a job faster, plus a friend said it was not as hard as everyone claims it to be.
First of all, I am far from what you would consider "comfortable" with ECG's and I only bumped into this conversation just a few bit ago...and tomorrow's my second and final day of the course (yes I'll be tested).
Due to my lack of planning, so many went wrong. I rushed into a course without realizing I did need to have some ECG knowledge, I applied for the course a few days before it started (so I did not have time to prepare). Finally, out of the 18 students in the course, I am the only RN and the rest are Residents---I am not sure exactly if they do RNs and MDs separately and I just happen to apply for this one because it was the soonest.
I am sweating buckets just like I did the whole day today because I was trying to digest as much of the information being given to us. I did alright in the simulation--mainly because I wasn't the leader (and they are expecting me to do that tomorrow).
To pass the course you have to get an 84% or higher on the written 50 multiple question test and perform fairly well as a Team Leader during a Megacode.
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I know I screwed myself on this one and I probably might end up wasting the rest of my money because I might not show up tomorrow and just email them that I do not feel comfortable doing the test. Either way I did have some good exposure within the 8 hours that I was with them. I will probably take an ECG Reading course prior to doing this again.
****I did want to add though that if you are looking for a very challenging course...this is definitely the one to take and the Instructors are very good at what they do, I just happened to be very behind from the rest of the class.

There are plenty of websites around to learn how to read rhythms and EKGs, without going to a EKG class. Try skillstat.com and practicalclinicalskills.com. Good luck!