ACLS Question

In our hospital, no one fails ACLS. As instructors, we stay and drill and do whatever is needed to assist the person who is having problems passing the written test. My first days of ACLS was similar to yours. I had a doc standing behind me with the monitor remote in his hand, switching the rhythms with each intervention that I gave. we had to "Take the team" during the megacode and delegate responsibilities along with trying to remember how to calculate the drug doses. Many a nurse left crying and didnt come back. A far cry from ACLS today. LOL I think todays approach is better.

Rarely have to "fail" anyone but I have had some people take the course who were clearly not prepared and so I did not let them complete it at that time. Made them come back with some strong instructions to study a little more.

Crying????? There is no crying in ACLS!!!! :rotfl:

Stitchie,

I'll be thinking good thoughts for you tomorrow. Take a deep breath and relax. I'm sure you'll do well.

Good luck, hon! :)

Stitchie,

I'll be thinking good thoughts for you tomorrow. Take a deep breath and relax. I'm sure you'll do well.

Good luck, hon! :)

Thanks for everyone's good wishes!

As it turns out, it was ridiculously easy...they even fed us I scored a 97% on the written exam, did ok in the megacode (which wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be).

I did mess up on two of the rhythms but got 'coached' along the way for those. As I have heard Teeituptom say, they spoon feed it to you and he is so right.

One more thing to put on my resume, then on to PALS and TNCC. Only I won't freak out so much about that! Well, maybe PALS. :uhoh21:

Thanks for everyone's good wishes!

As it turns out, it was ridiculously easy...they even fed us I scored a 97% on the written exam, did ok in the megacode (which wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be).

I did mess up on two of the rhythms but got 'coached' along the way for those. As I have heard Teeituptom say, they spoon feed it to you and he is so right.

One more thing to put on my resume, then on to PALS and TNCC. Only I won't freak out so much about that! Well, maybe PALS. :uhoh21:

Outstanding, Stitchie!!! Congrats!! 4 more letters to add to your name. LOL

Dont freak out about PALS.. you will do fine. I just taught a PALS class last week, and even though some nurses came in apprehensive, a good time was had by all and everyone passed :) IMHO it is so much easier to remember the material if you come in prepared, (be sure to read the test questions at the end of each chapter) and listen and ask questions during the lectures.

IMHO TNCC was a bit harder, but totally worth it nonetheless.

I know it's not nearly the same thing since I was ACLS for several years but I renewed my NRP this morning (neonatal resucitation). We had to watch a video that summarized the areas covered then take a test then a megacode.

The test was more comprehensive than I thought it would be but I passed on first try (if you didn't pass then you got multiple tries to get it right).

The megacode was a travesty. My husband was renewing with me and we got paired together. He started as the person in charge of the resucitation. I barely said 5 words, did do the compressions and the instructor passed us both!! I guess I'm whining it was too easy. We got signed off on intubation that we never did. I guess I shouldn't be whining.

Great job, Stitchie! I'm happy that it wasn't as harrowing as you thought it was gonna be. That's gotta be a great feeling!

Congratulations!

Help me find those old ACLS Golden Rules. I've been looking everywhere for them.