ACLS Certification

Wow, I've been a nurse for 2 years already. How the time has flown by! Every 2 years I have to re-certify in ACLS (advanced cardiac life support). It's a 2-day course to certify the first time and a 1 day course to re-certify.

Since this is my first time having to re-certify, I didn't know what to expect. I apply the ACLS skills every day in the ER, so I figured that I would do ok. Iwalked into the class this morning, and everyone had books and a pre-test completed. I didn't even have the book. I didn't even know I needed one. The instructor was a little annoyed, and told me that I had to complete the pre-test before I was able to sit in the class, and since I didn't even have a book, it was obvious that I hadn't studied, and I probably wouldn't do well on the test, and would probably not pass the course. I told her that I would like to take the pre-test anyway, since I was already there.

I sat at a computer and took the stupid 45 minute test. When I finished it, I printed my results (76%). I wasn't too happy with the results, but I guess I couldn't complain...I hadn't studied. I turned it into the instructor and she commented "Wow, a 76% without studying...you can practically teach the class." I joined the class.

When it came time to do the hands on stations, people were looking to me for the answers. Then after the hands-on "mega-code" we had to take a written test. I was in the class with about 15 people...most of whom had been paramedics for years, or nurses for a very long time. I turned in my test, and the instructor was very impressed that I got 100% on my test. I did better than the people who studied before hand and had their pre-tests complete. Praise God! I'm now certified for 2 more years! Yay!

I definitely give Him the glory for helping me through today!