I have paid/registered to take an ACLS course August 6/7 @ my old university.
I had previously spoken to the registration/administration lady regarding this course... because I am new grad and I wasn't sure if I would be able to take it and etc. She assured me that many new grads take the ACLS course......
So Now that I have paid and everything... I contact the nurse who is teaching the classes. I ask her for clarification on what book to buy & and etc... because it is all pretty much new to me.
...
So... she hits me with "I am worried that you do not know how to read the cardiac rhythms. If you do not, then this course will not be of any value to you."(she was really nice)
She offers a course to teach how to read cardiac rhythms but she needs at least 6 people (there is no way I could get 6 people).... So I have no idea what to do.
I heard of a lot of new grads taking the ACLS course... we never once did anything on cardiac rhythms in nursing school..........
I'm really stressing out.
I was all set to take this course... and I paid.
Btw the course is at McMaster University (if anyone is familiar)
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!
I'm just stressing out that I will have to teach myself all this prior to the the course. this is not what I expected it would be. I thought they would do more of the teaching... but for some reason I have a feeling I'm going to be doing tons of studying... really wish the admistration/registration woman would have been a little more informative :S. Guess I'll be at the library tomorrow ...pulling my hair out :'(
some of you said you touched on it.. in school, we never did. AHHHH looks like I'll have to start from scratch.
Hope the instructor doesn't email me back with more discouraging news (last thing I need). Guess I'll be at the library tomorrow... stressing! Unreal :smackingf my cortisol levels are through the ROOF!!
ps. Thanks for the awesome links. Hope they save my a.. lol
Wouldn't it be nice if nursing schools devoted a little less time to NANDA scrabble and PC social studies topics and a little more time to useful stuff like reading ECGs?
Wouldn't it be nice if nursing schools devoted a little less time to NANDA scrabble and PC social studies topics and a little more time to useful stuff like reading ECGs?
I got my ACLS when I was a new grad--I gave myself a crash course on rhythms the first time around and had no problem with ACLS.
I agree with getting ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy--I used the ECG MIE book to refresh myself for my renewal and did pretty well. Don't waste your money on the ACLS Made Incredibly Easy one because ACLS guidelines have a habit of changing every few years, whereas the cardiac rhythms don't :)
I got my ACLS when I was a new grad--I gave myself a crash course on rhythms the first time around and had no problem with ACLS.
I agree with getting ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy--I used the ECG MIE book to refresh myself for my renewal and did pretty well. Don't waste your money on the ACLS Made Incredibly Easy one because ACLS guidelines have a habit of changing every few years, whereas the cardiac rhythms don't :)
yeah I just can't believe I have to teach myself pretty much everything. Trying my hardest to stay positive but I am soo overwhelmed
You have plenty of time. New grads and students do tackle ACLS all the time. So do people like pharmacists, who have very limited direct care experience. Check out the Learn: Rhythm Adult course mentioned earlier. It's 4 1/2 hours and 35 bucks.
They aren't looking for expert EKG knowledge. In fact, if you can tell the difference between a straight flat line, a disorganized squiggly line, and a series of very wide spikes, you're already off to a great start. If you can learn a few lethal rhythms with the online course, then you spend a few days looking at algorithms and drug dosages, you'll be prepared and virtually stress-free even before you walk into the class.
Because of this thread, I bought the Learn:Adult Rhythm course from the AHA in order to refresh my memory of EKG strips before I get back to the bedside. It has been well worth the money! Thanks for pointing out the link!
leslie :-D
11,191 Posts
here are a few (very) interesting resources, links, and tutorials, all related to acls cardiac rhythms.
check them out...seriously.
if you're like me, you'll be reading them for hours.:)
http://www.nursecom.com/webTutorials.html
http://www.spaceded.com/bmasser/courses/61-Advanced-Cardiac-Life-Support-ACLS-Review
http://www.studentnurseconnections.com/Links3.html
good luck.
and keep the faith.
leslie
eta: i can only open one link. i think my firewall may be preventing me from opening the other 2.
let me know if you folks are having trouble? thanks.