i feel really bad...

carachel2 · May 25, 2011

ACLS class is sooooooooo low key these days. Absolutely no reasaon to be nervous. Instructors take every opportunity to mentor rather than intimidate like they did in the old days.

wishiwereanurse, BSN, RN · May 25, 2011

I have never been to an acls class before...the thought of directing a megacode this morning just flopped my stomach upside down...i have to take it though, it's mandatory in our hospital now for all RNs to be acls certified...

Fribblet · May 25, 2011

ACLS is easy.

If the thought of taking the class has incapacitated you, what will you do in an actual emergency?

KayRN910 · May 25, 2011

When you do get acls cert, you'll look back on this and say "gah, I wish I didn't freak out so bad." :)

You'll be fine. It's not impossible, they want you to learn it and pass.

3dayRN · May 26, 2011

I absolutely hate going to ACLS class. It's never as bad as I imagine though. It's something you have to do so just go into it with an open mind and don't psych yourself out before you even get there. Also, have a positive attitude about it and you will be fine. They are not looking for you to fail. It's a learning experience. Just be prepared and know your meds and the basics about what to do for each rhythm.

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 26, 2011

as an acls instructor, i can tell you that our goal is to help everyone succeed. gone are the bad old days when acls instructors used to try to trip someone up, make them nervous or flunk them out. we honestly try to to help everyone pass. if you've done your pre-test and memorized your algorithms -- which seem to get simpler every year -- you'll be fine.

now about your manager . . . . if you were sick, you were sick.

Teleflurry, DNP · May 26, 2011

I'm 38 weeks pregnant and will be doing ACLS recertification next week. Don't sweat it sugar. It isn't coming out of his personal checking , but I HOPE you had the professional courtesy to tell the acls and your don you were too sick to make it.

Brea LPN · May 26, 2011

ACLS is easy.
If the thought of taking the class has incapacitated you, what will you do in an actual emergency?

Excuse me? When you were in nursing school, and you were nervous about doing something for skills checkoffs in front of your instructor, did someone say to you what are you going to do in the real situation. Sometimes the fear of not knowing what to expect is much greater than the actual task.

kltran80 · May 26, 2011

No sweat...ACLS is enjoyable. Just make sure to read the book and do the sample questions!

Fribblet · May 26, 2011

Excuse me? When you were in nursing school, and you were nervous about doing something for skills checkoffs in front of your instructor, did someone say to you what are you going to do in the real situation. Sometimes the fear of not knowing what to expect is much greater than the actual task.

No, but if I was nervous, I sucked it up and did what I needed to do. I didn't stay at home. On my first day off orientation as a new grad, I was more nervous than I expected. I felt ill, had a touch of diarrhea. Guess what I did? I went to work, dealt with it, and got over it.

ACLS is no sweat. The OP will have no trouble with it.

I think asking the OP to think about their reaction to handling an actual emergency, when a class that everyone passes nearly incapacitates her, is fair. Would you rather she wait until one occurs to see what happens?

Brea LPN · May 26, 2011

No, but if I was nervous, I sucked it up and did what I needed to do. I didn't stay at home. On my first day off orientation as a new grad, I was more nervous than I expected. I felt ill, had a touch of diarrhea. Guess what I did? I went to work, dealt with it, and got over it.
ACLS is no sweat. The OP will have no trouble with it.
I think asking the OP to think about their reaction to handling an actual emergency, when a class that everyone passes nearly incapacitates her, is fair. Would you rather she wait until one occurs to see what happens?

I agree she should have sucked it up and went. But, asking what are you going to do when the real thing happens is just going to make a nervous person even more nervous and intimidated.