Has anyone taken PALS lately?

[becembrie]

I am re-entering nursing after 16 years out to raise my girls and work in a family business. I will be returning to my previous position on a Ped. Hem/Onc. unit. I have a couple of months before the fellowship begins and have signed up for a number of classes to help ease my transition. I am taking the following classes over the next few weeks. IV certification, BLS, Chemo and Biotherapies, EKG interpretation and PALS. I am excited about all of them, but terrified of PALS.

In the past it was always a dreaded class. I was always told how hard it is and how much you need to memorize. My biggest fear is having to be a team leader in a practical. I am reading the provider manual and using the CD included to review the case studies, but wanted to ask anyone that may have taken it recently "how bad is it?" Anyone have any words of encouragement or tips on how to be best prepared?

Thanks for any help you may have.

Karen

[Agnus]

I am re-entering nursing after 16 years out to raise my girls and work in a family business. I will be returning to my previous position on a Ped. Hem/Onc. unit. I have a couple of months before the fellowship begins and have signed up for a number of classes to help ease my transition. I am taking the following classes over the next few weeks. IV certification, BLS, Chemo and Biotherapies, EKG interpretation and PALS. I am excited about all of them, but terrified of PALS.

In the past it was always a dreaded class. I was always told how hard it is and how much you need to memorize. My biggest fear is having to be a team leader in a practical. I am reading the provider manual and using the CD included to review the case studies, but wanted to ask anyone that may have taken it recently "how bad is it?" Anyone have any words of encouragement or tips on how to be best prepared?

Thanks for any help you may have.

Karen

Both PALS and ACLS are a lot kinder than they once were. There is a pretest on the PALS CD. You should be able to score a minimum of 80% on the pretest before you take the class. You can take the pretest more than once. This will clue you in as to what areas you need to study.

You will notice there are 2 books follow the instructions for studying and you should have no problem. There is little need for memorization any more. However, understanding why you are doing what you are doing is critical for getting though a code. So understand the meds and the concepts in doing the protochols.

[nursing.gal2008]

I definitely remember dreading being team leader. I'm there with you, but after going through the runs over and over it becomes second nature.

Things to remember:

1. of course Basic CPR -ABC's

1a. get to know those algorithms

2. meds, gotta know those ER meds - epi, adenosine, etc.. and know the calculations & dosages

3. the H's = hypos/ hypers and the T's = toxins, tamponade, trauma...

4. organize your team well, tell everyone their specific role

hint: if you get SVT consider vagal maneuvers.

have fun and you'll do great!

[becembrie]

Thank you Nursing.Gal and Agnus. Your tips are greatly appreciated and you have managed to ease my fear a bit. I think I should be okay as long as I really study the materials ahead of time.

I appreciate your help and look forward to getting this over with and getting back into my nursing career.

Karen