mentor

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Dec 27, 1999

Try taking an ACLS course. You will learn all you need to know. Also, search the web, there are some sites with interactive telemtry instruction. I'd help you but I don't have enough time to finish my 2 BSN courses as it is. Good luck to you! ACLS will look good when you apply for a job in an ICU or tele unit.

jeana · Feb 1, 2000

I disagree that ACLS will provide this person with all she needs to know. I am a new BSN on a teley medical unit. I took ACLS and while it outlines fundamentals in embergency cardiac care it is far from all you need to know. The field of cardiac medicine is extensive. Everyday I am faced with something I must look up. I continually ask why something is being or not being done if I do not understand. I then go back and look it up. Continuing education has also helped me. I think this type of knowledge comes with experience, persistence to understand...

faymous · Feb 2, 2000

[to enemaplus 2 yes i agree that an acls course would provide valid education in the cardiac field but only if you are using it on a regulsr basis. I have worked in icu/ccu for 12 years at the time i was hired i had no previous cardiac experience but i committed myself to post diploma courses and eventually acls most nurse managers are willing to give new grads a chance as long as they can show some dedication to continuing education this is IMPERATIVE You already have a good base knowledge due to your circumstances draw on those experiences and relate to the patient on a personal level everything comes not just with education bit with experience. Over the years i have taken courses in palliative care diabetes iv therapy special nurse training and have worked in home care research med-surg and presently have trained for and been working in dialysis for the past two years. It can be done with perseverence and hard workif i can be of any help please contact me

askater · Feb 2, 2000

Hi--

I work on a cardiac stepdown unit. My unit requires nurses be ACLS certified.

ACLS gives you a round about education. I'm glad my unit requires ACLS. Our nurses are required to push cardiac medications. Usually we run our OWN codes.

We don't have many codes. But I find ACLS helped me.

The medical fields always changing. There's always new medications and procedures. That's why we're always looking up things.

I love nursing. The continuous changes. And continous need for continued education.

Ang

nytengail · Sep 25, 2000

I worked CCU for over 2 years and now currently work Open Heart. Personally I feel that ACLS maybe a beginning, however it is just the first rung on a very tall ladder. I would recommend sitting in on an internship program if available, or taking a CCRN review course. ( I learned alot in a "review" course) Also a 12 lead ECG class is highly recommended. Recommend Laura Gasparis classes/books and also Pass CCRN books. I realize that you are not trying for your CCRN but these books offer concise information, tables, graphs and pneumonics that were helpful to me.