taking ACLS while in nursing school

[srl5324]

I'm taking ACLS while in my last semester of RN school, I feel like I'm in over my head is there any advise for taking this couse that could make it less stressful?

[zambezi, BSN, RN]

I took ACLS my final semester of school....I had been doing a preceptorship in CCU for about 4 months at that time so I had seen a couple of codes...To prepare, I read the book front to back, had just taken an EKG class and studied the alogorithms and meds...I passed the test only missing one (test taking mind set from school helped too) and felt ok about the other stuff...I was definately nervous but I don't think that I did any worse than the nurses that were new to acls that had not really been to codes or worked tele before...Anyway, it was helpful for work because learning what was going on made me feel more comfortable...it is doable. I would just try to have fun with it...it serious, of course, but the less stressful you can make it in your mind the better...just remember you will always have a team with you-you are never alone during a code (if anything ususally there are too many people). If you can get through nursing school, you can get through ACLS...

[John-LPN]

I am an LPN and I took the ACLS Course. I prepared myself by reviewing the course book and learning word associations. I took a review class for EKG Interpetation and that helped as well.

For me the written exam was not as difficult as others would have you belieive. At the hospital where I took the class (2 days) the instructors where very positive and helpful.

Good Luck

[Sarah, RNBScN]

have taken the ACLS prep first then ACLS.

EKG's by Dale Dubin or EKG's made incredibly easy are great books to read.

Also, if you will be graduating this will be great on you resume and makes you more marketable for jobs.

Good luck

try: http://www.acls.net

[remrimsgems]

Are there ACLS courses near Boise? How much?

[Not Your Nurse]

have taken the ACLS prep first then ACLS.

EKG's by Dale Dubin or EKG's made incredibly easy are great books to read.

Also, if you will be graduating this will be great on you resume and makes you more marketable for jobs.

Good luck

try: http://www.acls.net

I thought that some hospitals offer this free of charge?

[winnieleigh]

That seems unfair to make you do acls while in nursing schoo. There is so much to acls that you can't understand I think in school.

[springybaybee]

Well ACLS can be difficult, but I found the following websites helpful:

NetMedicine ACLS Megacode Simulator (Need to download Netscape Browser to do this. Very helpful though.

http://int-prop.lf2.cuni.cz/heart_sounds/ekg3/al2-001.html

This one was much more helpful than the site above. Click on the links on the left.

http://www.aclspro.com/aclsalg.htm

This site you have to search through and find the relevant stuff.

http://www.medtrng.net/tutorials_and_simulators_part_1.htm

http://www.rnceus.com/course_frame.asp?exam_id=16&directory=ekg