Young ACLS instructor

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Specializes in ICU.

Today I took ACLS for the first time, with yesterday being our "lecture" and practice day. I felt pretty comfortable with the material, and I am a big academic guy so I didn't have any issues studying guidelines and really excel since the algorithims call for specific.

Some people had issues in our megacode, I didn't think I did bad. When we went back in for debriefing they laughed because they couldn't provide me any constructive criticism even (not trying to bag, this is leading to a point).

But anyways they asked me if I would consider becoming one of their ACLS instructors.

The people I would be testing/teaching would be coworkers at my hospital was well as physicians, so the fact that I know them (they know im still somewhat green) and how young I am, will I run into any respect issues?

I don't/won't have any issues grasping any material so there won't be any lack in competency. I guess I ask mostly because a lot of the ACLS instructors I see are veteran paramedics and occasional RN's.

I am 21 btw, this question really goes out to any clinician who does ACLS, and especially ACLS instructors.

I appreciate any answers.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

That's pretty SOP. If you do well on the test and on the mega code and demonstrate some leadership capability they will ask you. Some centers will send out a letter asking if you are interested in becoming and instructor. Your age isn't an issue. These classes are pretty structured. You teach from the book and only from the book not from your experience. So not being terribly experienced doesn't really make a difference.

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Specializes in ICU.

I think that's great. Quite fankly, people just want to pass ACLS. So if you teach the class well, they learn and pass, they will be happy no matter what age you are.

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