Did your nursing program cover 12 lead EKG?

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I am wondering whether to take this class on the side, or if it is something typically covered in nursing programs (ADN).

Thanks

Specializes in LTC.

We covered it both in LPN and RN school.

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Specializes in AGNP.

If it is a class that just goes over basic EKG interpretation, I wouldn't waste the money. My ADN program we spent alot of time on basic interpretation but that class might be more in depth. Once I started on my cardiology floor I took an 8 hour advanced EKG class that went over axis deviation, in depth bundle branch blocks, etc. As a nurse you shouldn't be relying on the machine's print out at the top of the 12 lead, you should be able to determine all of that on your own.

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Specializes in ED.

We spent one lecture on ECGs in nursing school. I worked one day at a clinic that taught me how to place the leads and run the machine. Im a little slow and it took the nurse 2 times to show me how to do it. I took an ECG dysrhythmias class so I would know what was going on in ACLS and a 12 lead interpretation class just because I wanted to know how to read them. I spent $150 on each. If you are in to cardio I would spend the $150 but $700 seems a bit extreme. As a nurse you probably only need to know the basics of ecg and anymore is just overkill. Look at your local hospitals to see if they offer any CE classes. That is were I took mine.

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We spent one lecture on ECGs in nursing school. I worked one day at a clinic that taught me how to place the leads and run the machine. Im a little slow and it took the nurse 2 times to show me how to do it. I took an ECG dysrhythmias class so I would know what was going on in ACLS and a 12 lead interpretation class just because I wanted to know how to read them. I spent $150 on each. If you are in to cardio I would spend the $150 but $700 seems a bit extreme. As a nurse you probably only need to know the basics of ecg and anymore is just overkill. Look at your local hospitals to see if they offer any CE classes. That is were I took mine.

This is probably a silly question, but is anyone able to take CE classes at hospitals, or do they only offer them to staff? That's really what I'd like, just some extra classes and skills to go a little above and beyond what's taught in school so they don't feel they have to teach me so much if I'm hired.

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Specializes in ER.

DO NOT SPEND 700 bucks on some EKG class that will be worthless, years ago the ER manager sent us to some EKG class that was a waste of my weekend. Get on Amazon and buy Rapid Interpretation of EKG's by Dale Dubin MD. It is such a simple read and really gives you the info to understand EKG's. I flipped through the 1st chapter when my PA program gave it to us and really was impressed how he presents the material in a manner that a 5th grader could read and understand it.

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DO NOT SPEND 700 bucks on some EKG class that will be worthless, years ago the ER manager sent us to some EKG class that was a waste of my weekend. Get on Amazon and buy Rapid Interpretation of EKG's by Dale Dubin MD. It is such a simple read and really gives you the info to understand EKG's. I flipped through the 1st chapter when my PA program gave it to us and really was impressed how he presents the material in a manner that a 5th grader could read and understand it.

That sounds like a good plan and I'd much rather save the money. The downside is that I don't have something concrete for my resume then, though.... I'll see if there is some kind of test I can take to get certified, and just get the book and take an exam.

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Specializes in Critical Care/Coronary Care Unit,.

I wouldn't pay that much money for a 12 lead EKG course. If you want to get a nursing position on a telemetry floor, you need to take a basic arrhythmia course. 12 lead EKG can be learned on the floor....that's simply attaching electrodes to a patient. 12 lead EKG interpretation is a totally different thing. You can't interpret a 12 lead if you can't interpret a basic arrhythmia. Your money would be better invested in a basic arrhythmia course in which you learn how to interpret cardiac rhythms. However, if you get offered a position on a tele floor, they should offer to put you through the course.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
I am wondering whether to take this class on the side, or if it is something typically covered in nursing programs (ADN).

Thanks

My BSN program had two weeks of EKGs and how to interpret strips.

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Nope, but when I got a job, I was offered the opportunity to take a two day EKG course, prior to ACLS.

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Specializes in LTC.

Our nursing program also set up clinicals on tele floors and we have tele CIs so we get plenty experience placing leads and interrupting strips.

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Specializes in ICU.
...and interrupting strips.

LOL

Also to the OP, I'm a cardiovasular tech and had all my required training provided by my hospital. I took a short basic dysrhythmia class, a 1-day EKG interp class, and then had on-the-job training for things like learning the equipment and database and information flow. A simple understanding (sufficient for most nursing jobs and all PCT/EKG tech jobs) doesn't take long to learn and certainly shouldn't require a 33-hour $700 class.

Because I find cardiology fascinating and love to know exactly what I'm looking at, I also take every opportunity to talk with the cardiologists and fellows when I see or hear of something new, I go to continuing education classes related to cardiology, I "borrow" textbooks from the fellows' office, and I've gone to local electrophysiology seminars. You really can teach yourself everything you'd want to know for pretty cheap/free. It's finding the opportunities that's hard.

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LOL

Also to the OP, I'm a cardiovasular tech and had all my required training provided by my hospital. I took a short basic dysrhythmia class, a 1-day EKG interp class, and then had on-the-job training for things like learning the equipment and database and information flow. A simple understanding (sufficient for most nursing jobs and all PCT/EKG tech jobs) doesn't take long to learn and certainly shouldn't require a 33-hour $700 class.

Because I find cardiology fascinating and love to know exactly what I'm looking at, I also take every opportunity to talk with the cardiologists and fellows when I see or hear of something new, I go to continuing education classes related to cardiology, I "borrow" textbooks from the fellows' office, and I've gone to local electrophysiology seminars. You really can teach yourself everything you'd want to know for pretty cheap/free. It's finding the opportunities that's hard.

Thanks. What kind of experience did you have before getting the cardiovascular tech position?

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