AHHHH ACLS course problem!! I don't know what to do!

SNIXRN · Jul 17, 2011

I know people, who while in nursing school, got their ACLS certification. It's doable. If you really want to prepare, just study lethal ECG strips before you take the class.

nurseypoo87 · Jul 17, 2011

I know people, who while in nursing school, got their ACLS certification. It's doable. If you really want to prepare, just study lethal ECG strips before you take the class.

God, I hope so. I'm going to buy the book, try my hardest to prepare and stay positive. Gahhhhh what have I gotten myself into

NeoPediRN · Jul 17, 2011

I had the same problem and got a basic dysrhythmia certification online from the American Heart Association. It's 100% online, you can take your time, go through things over and over, and then it gives you 3 chances to pass. It identifies the major role players of the heart in sending electrical signals, where dysrhythmias come from, what they look like, and even how to read a basic strip. It was awesome! Took about 2 hours to do, even though it says 270 minutes. Click the link below and choose the "Learn: Rhythm Adult" link. Good luck!

http://www.onlineaha.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.courseCatalog

mama_d, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2011

Know the algorithms in the ACLS book and you'll do fine. You don't need to know every wonky rhythm there is, just the ones covered.

See if you can find a copy of "EKGs made easy" to help you learn the rhythms.

It will be more difficult for you since you don't know how to identify rhythms yet, but with a little studying you should be able to pull it off.

Telelizard · Jul 17, 2011

Hi! I took an ACLS course while in nursing school & made sure I brought along a few of my fellow classmates so I wouldn't be so intimidated. We told the instructor and the person that tested us during the code portion that we were students and they took it easy on us. We did have to interpret the rhythms, know the drugs, etc, but they did a thorough Power Point on the first day and half of the second day explaining all of it.

You can try Dubin's Rapid Interpretation of EKG book which has been recommended to me by several nurses. I have not purchased it but it might be worth a shot if you are really worried before taking the course.

Good luck...I am sure you'll do fine!

nurseypoo87 · Jul 17, 2011

thank you everyone. I'm just going to try my hardest... put my mind to it and see how I can prepare. I'm going to my "old" school's library monday to take out quite a few books. putting this in God's hands

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Jul 17, 2011

I know McMaster is in Canada, but I am assuming you are taking something akin to the AHA version, in which case we have dumbed down this class so much, you have noting to worry about. Your goldfish could pass.

If you really want to get something out of it, just review the physiology of the cardiovascular system, the electrical conductivity of the heart, and the pharmacology of positive and negative inotropes, in addition to the basic rhythms covered in the course. You'll be fine. ACLS is a team approach now, you are not expected to do the megacode on your own, although you do have to pass the written exam independently. The good news is the official mantra is "remediate to success." You'll be fine.

ErinBSN · Jul 17, 2011

there is a book ECG interpretation for dummies (I got it in nursing school) I loved it. It majorly helped me. You do need certain rhythms for ACLS (narrow and wide complex tachycardia, bradycardia, normal sinus, 1st degree heart block, 2nd degree Winkibock, Mobitz Type 2, and 3rd degree heart block, Vtach, Vfib, Afib, Aflutter)

But more importantly you need the manual and need to READ, study before the class. there is a pre-class assessment needed prior to taking which will go over meds, rhythms and also"case studies" You can retake these multiple times. In addition the site for the ACLS Class (www.heart.org/eccstudent password compression) Will help you prepare.

There are a few rhytms which are VITAL for ACLS and those are the ones tested on. dont' let it get you stressed but make SURE you study. In addition, just remember if you dont "pass" the exam, you get remediated and gain further understanding and retest. Not a biggie. No pressure.

33762FL · Jul 17, 2011

There is a book called "ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy", from that (you guessed it!) wonderful Made Incredibly Easy series. It's soft cover and not very expensive at about $30. You can easily learn cardiac rhythms by getting the book and working through all the chapters. The book even has the ACLS algorithms in it, which you'll need to know for ACLS class. I highly recommend it, I used it in nursing school when we learned dysrhythmias and for ACLS class.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Jul 17, 2011

It sounds like she's just trying to make more money selling you another course to be honest. Learn lethal arrhythmias and you'll be fine. ACLS is not that hard, just a lot of memorization. If you get the book before hand you should be fine.

yuzzamatuzz · Jul 17, 2011

I haven't taken ACLS but I did take PALS during my last semester as an undergrad. You do need to know cardiac rhythms but they are the more common emergency rhythms. You need to be able to recognize the rhythm on the monitor so that you appropriately intervene. Because they are simulated rhythms it is very obvious what they are as soon as they show up. There is usually a section on ECGs and cardiac rhythms in NCLEX books (I know there was in Mosbys, I'm assuming in Saunders too) and also in the ACLS book. I imagine a class on arrhythmias would be helpful but more detailed than you need for ACLS.

I definitely recommend taking ACLS. PALS was so helpful to me and made me feel much more comfortable with emergency situations. With that said, the class is HARD when you have no experience to build off of! I had to study the material in depth beforehand and the night after the first class so that I could even just keep up. If you're willing to put in the time and prepare for it then it is definitely worth it but be prepared to feel a little overwhelmed. I learned about ECGs in school but I don't think it will take you that long to learn, I would recommend focusing your studying on the ACLS book and what you would do in various scenarios (like you had originally planning to do).