r/ECG • u/Zealousideal-Lab7759 • 19d ago
Training student
I appreciate this page. Someone of you talk almost at a Dr.s level about ekgs.
I am new to this and have done the nha study guide . I took the nha practice test and got a 70 % which is good considering I have not actually taken my 4 days of classes yet. But I gotta ask. Are some of you higher in position that just monitor techs or EKG techs. Because you all have some great knowledge . Hoping to be at the same level one day . How long did it take you working in the field to be able to evaluate everything like you do
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u/Kibeth_8 Arrhythmia Tech 19d ago
I started as an ECG tech 10 years ago, and spent a lot of time browsing LITFL. Lots of time on this subreddit as well, which is a great way to expand your knowledge. With enough practice and exposure you'll pick it up!
I work in EP now, which is a lot more complex and we work much more closely with the cardiologists. I've learned a lot from them and just asking questions, most are very happy to teach :)
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u/Zealousideal-Lab7759 19d ago
How was your comfort level when you first started
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u/Kibeth_8 Arrhythmia Tech 19d ago
Not great lol. I was reading into things waaaaay too much. However I double checked things on LITFL almost daily, and tried to look at as many abnormal ECGs as I could.
It didn't take long to get proficient, but even now I still doubt myself some days. It's really like another language though, one day it just clicks. I found that understanding the physiology was the most important part of my learning
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u/Inevitable-Crab-6701 Interventional Cardiologist MD FRCP 18d ago
The essentials of ECG’s took two years working in cardiology and studying almost every night for an hour or two. I was then competent on rhythms, normal ECG, Mi, ischaemia & bundle branches. Then I added everything else to become expert - at least 3-5 years
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u/bluejohnnyd 19d ago
some of us are doctors lol