JasHorns

I would also point out in my experience if you see really peaked T waves be prepared to give all the drugs for hyperkalemia. Also make sure they are on pads just in case. I had a pt with a small bowel obs and she had peaked t waves. Her K+ was 7 or so. I walk back into the room VTach. Also afib rvr and svt can look similar if it's fast enough. Just be prepared for adenosine or cardizem or if unstable cardioverting. ER rocks. You will love it if you like running around. Be prepared to be hated by basically every other floor though lol. Just comes with the territory. Good luck.

Well for me the first thing you want to do is determine if the rhythm is regular or irregular. So first check the P waves. Measure from p wave to p wave marking it on a sheet of paper then check those markings to see if they approximately line up with all the p waves on the strip. Do the same for QRS complex. Measure peak to peak. If its regular proceed to determine if for every P wave is there a QRS complex. If not that can indicate a Block. Also determine the rate of both atria (p waves) and ventricles (QRS). There are a few ways to do that so let me know if you need help with that. Also you need to measure the PR interval. This becomes important to determine heart blocks. Then measure the QRS width. If its normal then the electrical signal is starting in the atria (SA) node like its supposed to typically. If its widened it indicates some problem in most cases. Once you know what's normal you can proceed to abnormal. Also when you are measuring the p waves you have to look at the strip as a whole. The p waves can sometimes be lost in the QRS complex or even the T wave in some instances. That does not mean there are no P waves. You can see this in PVCs or 3rd degree block. There is a lot to learn but break it down and you will be fine. Don't get lost or confused if the strip is ugly. They really are never real pretty like the books. Good luck and let me know if you have more questions

Well as far as the job market for ADN vs BSN I can say that many hospitals will choose the BSN over an ADN. That said I went and got my ADN since it was cheaper and since it was a second degree. It was hard to land a job in a hospital but I did in the ER. I immediately started a RN-BSN program anyways so I would honestly shoot for the BSN right off the back. It will ultimately save you some time and headache. If you have a degree try the accelerated BSN it will get you your degree in a year and a half. Good luck in school.