Good to be back!

[Wave]

Looks like I'm moving up! After a short hiatus (due to school/ family life) I'm finally able to find time to hang out here. School got pretty rough, although this is no big surprise to any of you. Since Sept, I've been working as an aide (although I was frequently called upon to be a sitter/ 1:1). We've also had a baby (our second one -another boy) in May and I have graduated from my RN program shortly after! Howrah! To add to this, after a failed interview at my facility on one unit, (which I was certain that I had) I found out that the nurse manager who interviewed me had passed on my resume, along with a recommendation, to a different ward. I was called in for an interview (turns out I was the tech who examed the second NM's eyes about two years ago)and walked away with a job, pending passing my NCLEX. And...it was my first choice! It will be on a cardiac/ vascular unit with a strong telemetry component. My first job as a nurse!!! Times like this when ya know Somebody is looking out for you. Very exciting, scary,heady stuff, let me tell you! The degree alone means so much to me and my family. I was the only one in my family of four with out some kind of post high school degree. Let alone that it was in nursing. For me it also goes to being a provider to my family as well as some deeply held religious beliefs.

So, a few questions: first, should I take ACLS now (it's available at the end of this month and I won't be taking the NCLEX until probably mid July) or wait until I have been on the floor for awhile. We studied arrhythmias in school, but never really used a lot of strips, so it's all sort of just theory, if you know what I mean. Second, any books (esp for telemetry) recommended -for anything?

Sorry this is so long, just wanted to share the news and thanks in advance for any/ all advice!

Wave

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

If you take ACLS now, will they pay for it? If not, I might consider that in the decision. It tends to be an expensive course these days.

[suzy253, RN]

Congratulations & welcome back! I agree with what Eric said.

[Wave]

To be truthful, I'm not positive but I believe that you have to buy the book(s) and the rest is "free". I was looking at the situation as whether or not it would be advantageous to take now, before I learned about telemetry, or if it would be too difficult without telemetry experience.