Prep for ACLS certification

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Soon to be new grad here! It was recommended that I get ACLS certified given the competitive new grad market in my area. I wanted to prepare by taking a ECG training course first. American Heart Association has a elearning course for $50 called Learn Rhythm Adult and another called Learn Rapid STEMI, they seemed like they would be fairly helpful. HAs anyone tried these or can you recommend some good online training to help me prepare?

Also if anyone has any other certifications or ideas of what make me stand out a little more than the next new grad, please feel free to share!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

IMO, save your money and skip the EKG course. Know the basic rhythms, review the EKG section in your textbook, and review the EKG section of the ACLS book and disc, and you should be just fine when it comes to the ACLS class. I did all of those and didn't miss a single strip.

Also, the rhythms they give you during the megacodes can be tricky at times, but they all can be identified if you know your basic rhythms and analyze the strip as well as the signs/symptoms the "patient" is presenting with :)

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Really? That is good to know. Maybe I will do that and take a few practice quizes to see how I do. I was thinking if I took the ECG courses it would be something to add to my resume. They count as CEU's and have a post test where you get a certificate. I have been unable to get a job in a hospital while in school as a CNA/PCT so I am trying to think outside the box as far as other things I can do. I'm the president of the honor society, do alot of volunteer work, am a mentor, and a tutor but I have nothing medical to put on my resume. My schools nursing club is not active so I do not feel right putting that on my resume - I have done nothing aside pay my dues.

IMO, save your money and skip the EKG course. Know the basic rhythms, review the EKG section in your textbook, and review the EKG section of the ACLS book and disc. I did all of those and didn't miss a single strip.

Also, the rhythms they give you during the megacodes can be tricky at times, but they all can be identified if you know your basic rhythms and analyze the strip as well as the signs/symptoms the "patient" is presenting with :)

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Well, if you're looking at the EKG class to add some punch to your resume and boost your prospects, that's different--then it may be worth considering. I haven't taken one so I can't tell you much more about it, sorry.

If you were just looking at the class so you can get through ACLS though, it really isn't needed for that.

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Thanks! I think I was hoping it would help with both...trying to rationalize the expense to myself as well as make sure I spend extra money wisely.

Well, if you're looking at the EKG class to add some punch to your resume and boost your prospects, that's different--then it may be worth considering. I haven't taken one so I can't tell you much more about it, sorry.

If you were just looking at the class so you can get through ACLS though, it really isn't needed for that.

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I agree that you do not need an EKG class to take ACLS. As previous poster said, you need to know some basic rhythms and those you can learn on-line or in a book.

If you want to take an EKG class to stand out, it may help. I am not sure how much it helped me but I took one while in school and graduated in March 2009. Things were tight for new grads then also and I finally got hired in med-surg in September. I don't know that I retained too much of the class but the book was good! Many hospitals have EKG classes for you to take once you are hired so if you take one before and need a refresher you may get one when you get hired. But honestly, it didn't help with ACLS all that much. You would have to review for that anyhow.

You mentioned CEUs. You don't need to do CEUs for the first two years of licensure in California so check your Board of Registered Nursing for that information.

Good luck!

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Specializes in CRNA.

i would not spend any money preparing for acls. show up, take the group test, get the card, go home. there is nothing to it. now a days you can even use references for the "mega code". the written test is all common sense.

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Specializes in CCRN.

I would save my money. Hospitals will pay for the certification once you are hired. In my area it would not make you more "marketable". We actually don't allow our new grad critical care nurses to take ACLS until the have been on the floor for about 6 months. Once they have a few hours on the floor they have a better understanding and retain more information. In this job market we hire new grads based on previous employment within our facility, job performance in that position, or through their final semester preceptorship.

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Once I get hired, right. LOL! You bring up some good points as to how I could get a job but

Unfortunately, we don't have a final semester preceptorship.

Last year there were 3 SNAP positions offered at one local hospital which people are saying over 500 students applied. All other SNAP programs were discontinued or the SNAP's from last year that have now graduated and are were now RN's kept the positions because they couldn't find RN jobs.

The hospitals were on a hiring freeze last year and so far this year I have applied for 86 PCT/CNA positions. The callbacks I have gotten have been positive saying my resume is great but unfortunately they are not hiring nursing students graduating in May, they want students that have a year or more left in their program. If only they had been hiring last year when I did have a year or more left ARGH!!

I have to take my chances and think outside of the box, I have to do everything I can to try and stand out from the crowd. In May, In the 50 mile radius where my college is, over 1000 students will be graduating by my calculations and I am sure I missed a couple of schools. (Hartford, CT - Springfield, MA - Worcester, MA)

One question though...What do you mean new grads aren't allowed to take the ACLS, anyone can take it if they want to pay for it. Do you mean the hospital wont pay for it until after 6 months? If that is the case I think it is probably because they don't want to spend the money until they know the person is going to last, not because it wouldn't be useful. The cost aside, I can't think of any other reason why ACLS would be a bad idea.

I would save my money. Hospitals will pay for the certification once you are hired. In my area it would not make you more "marketable". We actually don't allow our new grad critical care nurses to take ACLS until the have been on the floor for about 6 months. Once they have a few hours on the floor they have a better understanding and retain more information. In this job market we hire new grads based on previous employment within our facility, job performance in that position, or through their final semester preceptorship.
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Specializes in trauma, critical care.
i would not spend any money preparing for acls. show up, take the group test, get the card, go home. there is nothing to it. now a days you can even use references for the "mega code". the written test is all common sense.

the acls class has gotten easier over the years, and i agree with many of the other posts that you will need little study to pass the test, complete megacode, and get your card.

that being said, take the time to really learn the material. if you someday want to work in critical care (or be a nurse that others consider a resource), you need to know this stuff because you will be called upon to use it!

i expect any icu nurse i work with to know her rhythms inside and out, to have memorized the acls algorithms and therapeutic modalities, and to understand the rationale behind actions.

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I'm sold, even if I do not need to to pass I'd like to take a EKG course. We did not get any training at school really, and I know it is something I am interested in and is useful. Now I just need to find a course that is useful! I think I will seek out some recommendations and if I come up dry I will spend the $50 on the AHA one.

Thanks!

The ACLS class has gotten easier over the years, and I agree with many of the other posts that you will need little study to pass the test, complete megacode, and get your card.

That being said, take the time to really learn the material. If you someday want to work in critical care (or be a nurse that others consider a resource), you need to know this stuff because you will be called upon to use it!

I expect any ICU nurse I work with to know her rhythms inside and out, to have memorized the ACLS algorithms and therapeutic modalities, and to understand the rationale behind actions.

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