The first 3 minutes: code preparation for the staff nurse.

Nurses who care for a range of medical-surgical patients may not be required to have ACLS training and may have limited experience in dealing with cardiac or pulmonary arrest. A need for staff training was identified by the designated code team members with the critical focus being the first 3 minutes of the code. A code preparation class was developed reflecting the staff's areas of deficiency. After all medical-surgical units had attended the class, mock codes were initiated, focusing on skills required of licensed nurses or nursing assistants before the arrival of the code team. This code preparation program resulted in staff nurses becoming more skilled and comfortable with their roles during a cardiopulmonary arrest.