algorithms

[Jay]

Greetings --

I am a NREMT-B, an Intensive Care Tech at my hospital's CICU, and I'm a full time premedical student
with 3 semesters to go. I have been considering taking an ACLS class at the hospital. I am naturally
enquisitive in nature, and would love to learn the algorithms. Although it won't allow me to
physically do anything extra with my job (Can't inject meds b/c I'm not a nurse), but I feel that I
would be able to give a higherlevel of care in a code situation....be able to anticipate needs
quicker....

What are your thoughts on this? I could technically learn the algorithms myself without going
through th class.....but since I am eligible for ACLS training (I'm an EMT-B) I figure I might as
well go forward and get certified....

Thoughts/comments would be appreciated!

Thanks!!

jay

[Dave S]

Nothing wrong with learning this material now.. knowledge in and of itself is not a bad thing.
Remember to stay within the scope of your practice in the course of your employment as defined by
your employer, the EMS and Nursing bodies where you are...

I would recommend purchasing or borrowing an ACLS book and perhaps even a paramedic text (and get to
know the cardiology, medication and airway portions intimately). The ACLS course as taught by the
AHA is nowheres near as challenging as it once was, but it is NOT a good environment for initial
exposure to the material... too many things to deal with.

The ACLS class is better suited for organizing knowledge and skills you already possess.. a playbook
if you will... rather than a "how to".. but thats just my opinion. I used to teach this material on
occasion from 1990-1998 and I base my opinions on the students I encountered and my professional
practice. So.. learn about your code meds, learn how to read the rhythms and understand the
rationales behind the algorythms. If you make it into med school, you will have a slight leg up when
you get to the 3rd-4th year when the med students take the class.

Dave EMT-P, RN, (insert alphabet soup here)

jay wrote:

> Greetings --
>
> I am a NREMT-B, an Intensive Care Tech at my hospital's CICU, and I'm a full time premedical
> student with 3 semesters to go. I have been considering taking an ACLS class at the hospital. I am
> naturally enquisitive in nature, and would love to learn the algorithms. Although it won't allow
> me to physically do anything extra with my job (Can't inject meds b/c I'm not a nurse), but I feel
> that I would be able to give a higherlevel of care in a code situation....be able to anticipate
> needs quicker....
>
> What are your thoughts on this? I could technically learn the algorithms myself without going
> through th class.....but since I am eligible for ACLS training (I'm an EMT-B) I figure I might as
> well go forward and get certified....
>
> Thoughts/comments would be appreciated!
>
> Thanks!!
>
> jay