Signed up for ACLS...what to expect?

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

I found it to be very similar to BLS, but more in depth. You'll need to be pretty familiar with cardiac rhythms to pass. Typically the class starts with a BLS review, then you do stations with intubation (which cracks me up because we don't do it in the hospital, anesthesia does), rhythm interpretation, and then you'll do a group mega code where you have to run the code and tell everyone in the group what to do. In our facility, the group is allowed to help the leader because in reality, everyone would be helping - you wouldn't just stand there and let someone flounder without offering a suggestion.

Good luck.

BellaInBlueScrubsRN · May 12, 2010

They will give you a booklet that you go by. In it you will have basic heart rhythms and what interventions (meds, defibrillation, etc). Pretty much asystole, Vtach, V fib, PEA, SVT, Afib with RVR. Like Julie above said, like BLS but more in depth. You'll have to know how long to do CPR between interventions, when and what to shock. Medications to give, like adenocard, epinephrine, lidocaine, antiarrhythmics. Then at the end the megacode, where the pt switches rhythms and you have to intervene with each one. Its a lil nerve-racking. I doubt you would really use it in LTC, but yea it might make you stand out. Go for it! Always good to take the initiative and learn something new!

rn-jane · May 12, 2010

Get yourself a book on acls and study before you go to the class. I really think you need to have some idea even before you go to the class, because there is a lot of information if this is new for you.

labdad1234RN · May 12, 2010

If you can get the book that's associated with the ACLS program, go and do some advanced reading. The above replies to you are all great advice. Once you get ACLS certified, consider taking PALS, for the pediatric side. GO FOR IT! My ACLS certification has kept me current and "in demand" as an E.R. nurse. Good luck and be the best you can be!

sharona97, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

I received the books needed. At the class we broke up into smaller groups to discuss the different waveforms and one group was on intubation.

Then the last half was rotating through the stations being able to identify what you see on the monitor and what would you do. What drug would you give.

Then for a final there was 6 stations set up for full code. I waited until my name was called and went into a station manned by a real doc and nurse. They asked where I had been working, told them the cardiac cath lab, so he says, ok let;s go with that. I had to watch the monitor shout out changes, order what drug i was going to give. I had to shock twice. I was nervous but I could see that they were trying to keep me somewhat comfortable in what I have expereinced.

It wasn't easy, it was good learning. I had a couple of work pals there and we quizzed each other alot. Wrote lots of notes when the verbal teaching was going on. They had alot of abbbreviations put together to help one remember the drugs in order.

Intubating was the toughest part. But I did it!

Good Luck, I'm sure you'll find it interesting and motivating.

Sharona

PurpleLVN · May 12, 2010

I graduated in December, started working in LTC and SAR in March...and its not what I ultimately want to do...so I signed up to take the ACLS course in hopes that managers and nurse recruiters will see it on my resume and I will stand out, and also because I have been told there is a lot to benefit as a nurse from the course. BUT, I have no idea what to expect from this course! What all does it entail? Thanks :)

Great question jmokeefe...I was wondering the same thing! I'm BLS certified but wondered if ACLS would benefit me, being an LVN and all. Could it REALLY make me more marketable? By the way, I work in radiation oncology...

cokeforbreakfast · May 12, 2010

Get a good EKG book and/or take practice cardiac rhythm tests on the internet prior to class. Register early so you get your pre-course homework in plenty of time. YOU CAN DO IT!

As a December 09 grad who took ACLS this spring, I was SO thankful my Advanced Med Surg class was so hard. It was heavy on the rhythm interpretation (during our Tele clinicals we had to ID a strip on each patient each day, and our final exam had about 15 strips to ID, among other things) and we also had a lab day similar to mega code day. I felt well prepared as a new grad, but I'm not sure I would have been if I'd had a different nursing school experience.

cb_rn · May 12, 2010

It is imperetive you be able to interpret ECGs on the fly, you have to look at the monitor, call it and start the right treatment which is based on the rhythm. I don't know that it will make you more marketable to a LTC, its more of a cardiac/tele/icu thing however it is always a good thing to expand your skills. The important thing is that you actually learn the ACLS pathways. Nothing is worse than running a code and having someone fumble through it because they aren't somewhat familiar with what is going on and able to reasonably anticipate where things are going. That being said, BLS is part of a code. The plain ole CPR you take every year or two has been proven to be a huge part

of any rescue attempt. Expect to spend some time reviewing it. I take my ACLS at a major teaching hospital and there are always a few people that flunk out. Don't let that scare you, I'm just saying to go in prepared and having read the material more than once. It is extremelly frustrating for both the class and the person struggling if you aren't able to keep up on the simulations and I would dare say 99% of the time its because someone didn't take the time to prepare themselves rather than it being overwhelmingly hard

brownbook · May 13, 2010

Hi, ACLS is great to have. The material will stress that you will be expected to know the material in the book prior to class. Class time will be to "review" the information, not "teach" the information. Know your basics, the ABC'S of CPR, know AED's (they will be covered in the book and in class.) If you know 5 EKG rhythms you will be in good shape. V-tach., V-fib, asystole, tachycardia (is the heart beating too fast), bradycardia (is the heart beating too slow.) In mega-code, the instructors will ask or give you hints "did you REALLY mean to shock asystole?" and pass you if you realize your mistake, if you kind of "get it." Even if you don't pass you will have learned a lot, don't kick yourself, you can re-take it. Every ACLS course I have taken in the past 10 - 15 years has stressed that it is not meant to be a pass/fail test. Instructors will work with you, they want you to receive your certification.

MRN18 · Mar 24, 2016

Thanks for advise, now I have pretty much idea what to expect in ACLs class.