ACLS Certification

[Thunda]

I'm graduating with my LPN in May. Looking at jobs and towards the future, most jobs want you to have your ACLS, I tried to find an online course at http://www.heart.org (american heart association) but it just seems like there should be a place I can go to get this certification. I searched on google and there are tons of places saying they offer it but nothing specifically from the AHA. Maybe I'm being too picky, thinking the ACLS would be like going to the Red Cross website and being able to find sanctioned places I can go to get this.

Can someone refer me to the legitimate place to find a course I can attend either online or with seat time. I just want to pad my resume with as much positive things to make me, as a new grad, more attractive so I can find an acute care job

Thanks in advance!

[UnicornRN]

Where do you live? Most CPR instructors also teach ACLS class, or can refer you to someone who does. Sometimes your local hospital may offer a class to nursing students as well.

[Thunda]

Thanks for the feedback!

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

The AHA maintains its own list of approved classes here:

American Heart Association

You can also call the list of classes that you have and ask them if they provide AHA certificates.

Gather a group of classmates or friends and ask instructors if they offer group discounts.

Also, I hate to be a party pooper but depending on your state's scope of practice, you may find limited use for your ACLS certification. ACLS involves a lot of IV medications and many states do not allow LVNs/LPNs to administer them. And even if you can give them, LVNs/LPNs are also finding fewer and fewer positions in acute care settings where ACLS is a necessity. If paying $200 some for ACLS certification is difficult right now, I would reconsider. If not, by all means go for it.

Other things you can look into are basic EKG (a good prerequisite for ACLS!), 12 lead EKG and NIHSS stroke scale certification. Also, consider joining a professional group related to your desired specialty such as the AACN.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Something you might want to investigate is whether as an LPN you even need it....? BLS, yes, but ACLS teaches what drugs to use for IV push. Is there anywhere that allows LPNs to do this? Hospital I worked in didn't ever have LPNs take that course, just BLS, because in a code, they're not doing more than they would for BLS--and typically were used outside of the "body" care, calling for labs, getting EKG's, phone work and such more than the actual coding. It's one of the reasons it's exceptionally difficult to find LPNs (new grads especially) in acute care settings....more being done outside their scope of practice.

Ambulatory facility I manage now has same policy: no LPNs need to take ACLS; all nurses and techs must have BLS, though.

Just might want to look into it further.

[Thunda]

I should have clarified, I will be getting my RN next may, suppose that would make more sense then giving you the info that I graduate in a month with my LPN. I'm just looking forward and trying to accomplish everything I can to make me a more attractive applicant.

Thanks for the info however! I appreciate your time.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Chaning-Bete, Laerdal and Worldpoint all provide online classes for AHA and also provide their products. Remember, the online portion is only Part I (didactic). Parts II, III, and IV have to be done live or with a manikin set up for that purpose (Heartcode). Parts II-IV are the review, practice and skills portions.