EKG help

For interpretation, check out Skill Stat: ECG Simulator | SkillStat Learning - Fast, Fun and Effective!

For books that help with interpretation as well as treatment, check out ECG Workout by Jane Huff RN or ECGs Made Incredibly Easy. The former offers more practice than the latter, but both are great references.

I have taught 'basic EKG' for longer than most AN'ers have been practicing - LOL. In my experience, most people 'get it' on their 3rd try. First class - -- huh? Second class -- I remember some of that Third class -- OH! that's how it all fits together!

Seriously, nurses need to have a deep understanding of EKG in order to incorporate it into their day-to-day practice. This requires: cardiac A & P; Electrophysiology & wave forms (what makes the line go up and down on the tracing); Pharmacology (cellular effects); Hemodynamics; Cardiac disease (S & S). . . whew!, right?

So, I'm just saying - don't beat yourself up if you don't get it the first time. Even the slickest, most sophisticated and interactive "learning systems" won't help if you don't understand the basics.

What have you already done to review the material? ECG made easy is a great book to help you learn. ACLS is the course that teaches you the drugs that go with which dysrhythmias - have you taken that? Sometimes it is easier to gain experience in nursing and actually see the rhythms and drugs before taking ACLS or a dysrhythmia interpretation course.

To be honest, my thoughts are that if you are a nursing student I think I would just focus my energy on getting through nursing school and passing the licensing exam. In nursing school you are learning so much and trying to put so many things together in regard to patient care. I wouldn't add trying to learn EKG's or ACLS at this point, apart from what your school may teach you. But this is just my opinion, and of course you will do what you believe is right for you.

That said, I have found a 12 lead EKG CEU course to be helpful. After taking and assimilating an EKG course, ACLS will teach you the drugs that are given for serious dysrhythmias according to AHA algorithms, and will also teach you about the management of acute stroke and acute coronary syndrome.