Should a student nurse take ACLS?

Specialties Cardiac

Published

  1. Should a student nurse take ACLS?

    • 7
      Absolutely!
    • 1
      Only if they've covered the material in class
    • 2
      Probably not
    • 3
      Nope
    • 0
      Don't care

13 members have participated

Hey guys, not sure if this topic belongs here but thought I'd ask anyway.

I'm currently between semesters in nursing school, and I start my 5th and final semester in two weeks (on my birthday, as my luck would have it) and I was thinking of getting ACLS certification during my break.

We covered cardiac this past semester, including code management so the material will not be totally foreign, and I have a good grasp on interpreting ECG rhythms as well as what interventions are appropriate for the various dysrhythmias.

The reason I want to get this certification is because I eventually plan to work in critical care (hopefully cardiac related) and I will need the certification anyway, plus I feel that having the certification when I graduate will help my applications stand out from other new grads. Besides the employment prospects, this coming semester is largely based in critical care (I will have a critical care clinical plus I will be precepting in critical care) and I feel like it will help me in those areas this summer.

Just thought I'd ask before I dropped the $200 on the class and see what you guys think!

Thanks!

Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

I took ACLS as a student nurse & I do recommend it as long as you have the money to spend! I did end up retaking it as it was built into my orientation at my first job but it was good to already be familiar with the info. Can't hurt and it'll look good on your resume. Good luck!

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Any hospital that hires you will pay for you to get this cert.. so I do not see why you would need to shell out your own money now. Just my 2 cents / what I was told by nurse managers/ recruiters :)

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For practicality purposes, it was a "nice have" for me, but not absolutely necessary. For resume booster and interview topic, it was a plus. And I have bolstered my peds experience at the beginning of my practice with the PALS certificate. I would recommend it if you can afford it, but also factor in the cost for regular renewal. Shelling out for these certificates in addition to your license renewal can be a costly event over time.

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Hello!

I graduated May 2014, and start my first acute care job in two weeks.

I'll give you my opinion (as a new grad / peer)-

(Please note that this advice is regional!)

I honestly don't think that ACLS is a necessary course to take for a new grad (or soon to be new grad). I strongly believe that your time can be put to better use NETWORKING / Gaining experience with local hospitals (or wherever you want to work when you graduate)

I think that having ''pct at XYZ hospital" puts you miles ahead of the new graduate with no additional clinical experience who has "ACLS".

It's not what you know, its who you know.

Im starting on Cardiothoracic stepdown in two weeks, I don't have ACLS.

Also- have you been reviewing for your nclex!!!?

:smokin:

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I took ACLS during my last semester and I'm so glad I did. It doesn't take long at all so it's worth it. I was so happy to be able to start my job and be able to really assist during codes than having to wait until I was certified. If you have the time and money, I think it's definitely something worth doing.

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