Certifications and Experience

[Chibikitty1990]

Dear fellow nurses,

I wanted to know the differences between having the different certifications such as a BLS, ACLS, CPR, PALS, does one cover the others? This is all so confusing to me since when you look up the requirements for a hospital job they need ACLS, BLS and PALS. I thought that ACLS covered CPR?

Also, If I get a year of emergency department experience as a nurse, would I basically open doors for myself? I heard that it is very good to have that kind of emergent experience.

Thank you!

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

You said "fellow nurses".....so I take it to mean you are now a nurse, yes? I would think you'd have BLS already....?

ACLS is an advanced version of BLS (for healthcare providers, not general public CPR) which includes telemetry and drugs used to rescuscitate. PALS is pediatric-specific, advanced.

While ACLS requires BLS as a pre-requ, I do know facilities that ask for both (when ACLS oughtta be enough!). Can't answer why.

What area of nursing do you work in now.....are you interested in Emergency medicine/nursing?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

and.....there's a dust trail out of the building.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I often wonder about the vortex into which the one-post-wonders disappear.