Understanding EKGs

Brenda Messer Beasley is a Paramedic, and a Registered Nurse. She earned her Bachelor's Degree, as well as additional postgraduate studies, from the University of Alabama. Following graduation from Nursing School at the University of Alabama, Ms. Beasley was employed as a nurse in the Emergency Department of University Hospital in Birmingham. She remained in Emergency Nursing for the next ten years, with a two year hiatus when she became certified as a Critical Care Neurosurgical Nurse and worked in an NICU at Carraway Medical Center.



Ms. Beasley was working as an ER nurse in 1978 when she was asked to teach a Basic EMT course. With a great deal of reticence yet strong encouragement from the Chief of Staff at the local hospital, she concurred. She immediately developed a passion for quality EMS Education, and the rest is history. For the next thirty years, she served an EMS educator in the state of Alabama, and in 2001 was named Department Chair of Allied Health at Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Alabama. She held that position until her retirement in 2007.



Ms. Beasley has been an Affiliate Faculty member of the American Heart Association's Emergency Cardiac Care Program for the past twenty-five years. Other professional activities include BTLS Affiliate Faculty, Board of Directors of the National Association of EMS Educators, and she serves on the Medical Advisory Board of 24-7ems.



In 1999, Ms. Beasley published her first book on EKG interpretation, and has authored other texts for Brady-Prentice Hall Health. She resides in Wedowee, Alabama, where she serves as Vice-Chair of the local Hospital Board. Ms. Beasley is actively involved in the First United Methodist Church of Wedowee.