outside clinicals

Because of how many hours of required education that I had to complete for work, I was approved to use these hours for my extra 45 hours of clinical.  I completed ACLS, TNCC, and ENPC.  These hours for these classes alone made my 45 hours of clinical.  It was very difficult to do all of these classes along with school, working full time etc.  I learned so much information that was obviously essential to my job in the Emergency department.  With ACLS the information that I felt benefitted me the most was the algorhythms for post cardiac arrest seeing as how this is what we see so much of in the emergency department.  I have seen the positive outcome of these protocols and knowing them well makes me be a better nurse.  WIth ENPC it is focused on the pediatric population which is so important.  In school we discuss pediatrics but the emphasis is on adults.  Having the skills to deal with pediatric patients, weight based medications, assessment skills etc.  TNCC is all about trauma.  trauma skills are so important for the emergency department.  We just became a trauma 4 accepting facility, which isnt much to brag about, but hey it is still a trauma facility.  We went over what to do in a trauma situation, (Burns, massive bleeding, amputations etc).  We went over assesment skills and the protocols for specific scenarios.  Overall the education was very beneficial, I see it making me become such a better nurse, and If I am able to stay updated on the new information these classes will help us (the ED) provide the best care to the patients in which we treat.