ACLS to make me look more appealing to recruiters?

StayLost, BSN, RN · May 11, 2010

Yes, I had ACLS when I started applying for jobs and I know it made my resume stand out a lot when I applied for my position on a stepdown unit. In fact I was offered the position on-the-spot during my interview. The other Critical-Care interns got call-backs later in the week. It's impressive no matter what, but really awesome if you want to work in critical-care, because it gives the impression that you have a good understanding of cardiac dysrhythmias. Practice those rhythms!

jmokeefe · May 11, 2010

thanks for the reply, that is exactly what i was thinking, and then i got an email reply from a recruiter where i have been applying and she stated that "most managers would not expect you to have acls (or even think you would be able to apply it) until after one year of exp on an acute care unit." hmmm???

i work in ltc/sar as a new grad now, so to be honest she's probably right and i wouldn't use much of what i learn in the acls class right now, but that's the point...i don't want to stay in ltc! she stated that i should be glad i have a job at all as most new grads do not that doesn't make me like working in ltc any more than i did before she said that lol, althougt i am grateful of having a paycheck.

StayLost, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

That is the whole point-- having something they don't expect. This it doesn't mean that you will be running the code! But you would be competent with a code situation, and be able to participate in some capacity-- you may not be running a code, but you definitely will be competent to participate (ie bag the Pt or record a code). I would do it 1) Because I know it will be beneficial to your resume 2) It's really a great accomplishment & you learn a lot of really great nursing knowledge!

Amnesiac70 · May 15, 2010

You should try to sell yourself with your LTC experience. I bet the majority of ICU nurses haven't worked LTC and I'm sure that your LTC experience brings something to the table. ACLS would def look great to recruiters and managers alike. Sounds like you are a go-getter. Keep it up!

Caffeine_IV · May 15, 2010

It may not help greatly but it certainly won't HURT your resume. I say go for it and good luck.

surferbettycrocker · May 15, 2010

i dont agree with stay lost. "gives the impression" that you understand cardiac rhythms???? really????

how about working with real actual cardiac patients, instead of inflating a resume to make it 'look like' you understand whats going on. and nurse mgrs if they are worth their salt, will not be fooled.

i agree with the poster who suggested playing up your ltc skills of which i am postive, are many. dont put your cart before your horse as they say. and never ever EVER 'give the impression' you know an area of medicine and nursing enough to be advanced when you have little to no experience in it please! :twocents:

StayLost, BSN, RN · May 17, 2010

i dont agree with stay lost. "gives the impression" that you understand cardiac rhythms???? really????
how about working with real actual cardiac patients, instead of inflating a resume to make it 'look like' you understand whats going on. and nurse mgrs if they are worth their salt, will not be fooled.
i agree with the poster who suggested playing up your ltc skills of which i am postive, are many. dont put your cart before your horse as they say. and never ever EVER 'give the impression' you know an area of medicine and nursing enough to be advanced when you have little to no experience in it please!

"Gives the impression" is a bad choice of words. When I took ACLS, I had already completed a 140-hour rotation in a level-1 trauma ICU. I studied my butt off for almost a month. I took my test my 5th semester of nursing school along with a a surgeon & an ICU nurse of 20 years. I was given the same test and passed no problem.

I don't understand how becoming ACLS is "inflating" your resume or tying to make it "look like" you know what you are doing. It's more like studying a new skill & becoming competent at it!

Being ACLS certified just means that you are competent to interpret basic cardiac dysrythmias & that you have memorized the ACLS algorithm-- it doesn't mean that you are cardiac nurse or have "special cardiac skills" or you are "putting the cart before the horse", "pulling the wool" over a nurse manager's eyes, or tying to sell yourself as "Advanced".

Anyone can become ACLS certified by the American Heart Association!!!! You don't need any license to take ACLS!! In fact, during my critical care internship, all of the new grad RN interns are required to be ACLS in the first month!

Everyone is entitled to their option & occasional soapbox, but I don't see any reason you would discourage someone from trying to learn new skills to set themselves apart from other applicants. The job market it hard right now! :twocents:

jmokeefe · May 17, 2010

Thanks! That is my point, to actually learn ACLS so that I am more prepared for the job I am trying to acquire. I want to be ahead of the game and actually have an idea of whats going on before I start the job (if I even get it!). I will be sure to also play up the skills and experiences that I have acquired in LTC thus far, no doubt about that. But I was thinking that signing up for the ACLS also would make me look like a "go-getter" and also prepare me more for the cardiac eval unit that I am interviewing for. IMO any nurse manager or recruiter would see that on my resume and it would make me stand out from the rest of their interviewees. I wasn't trying to make it seem like I knew what I was doing before doing it, I just want to learn more and stand out. I don't know the first thing about cardio to be honest, so this IMO is a step in the right direction.

Does ACLS prepare you enough for cardiac eval/unit in your opinion? I know that ACTUALLY working there will give me experience, but does the ACLS course make a big difference also? Do you think it will help me out to take it before even working in acute care? I am thinking yes, cause I will be more "oriented" and prepared, but what do you all think?

StayLost, BSN, RN · May 18, 2010

Does ACLS prepare you enough for cardiac eval/unit in your opinion? I know that ACTUALLY working there will give me experience, but does the ACLS course make a big difference also? Do you think it will help me out to take it before even working in acute care? I am thinking yes, cause I will be more "oriented" and prepared, but what do you all think?

In my hospital if you work on a critical-care unit you must pass a Basic Cardiac Dysrhythmia test as most hospitals do. This is because all of the pt's on my floor are monitored and we have to constantly interpret cardiac rhythms. I feel very fortunate that had a good understanding of rhythms going into the class because I was out in 10 min with 100% & more than half the class totally failed the exam! They cover so much information at you that you can become confused very easy if it is new to you. Also remember, if you work on high acuity unit you will be responsible to recognize dysrhythmias and expected to sign-off on them-- you want to make sure you know them! I felt like I was ahead of the game for sure!

Plus I find them very interesting! To look at a 12-lead and know what is going on physiologically in what part of the heart. It's very cool. I think the cardiac system is fascinating!

caliotter3 · May 18, 2010

I've only had one new employer show any interest in my ACLS. When I told them it was expiring and I didn't have the money to pay to renew, they told me they wouldn't pay for it. It still looks good on my resume, though, to me; I don't care what prospective employers think or don't think about it!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 18, 2010

Having ACLS helped me land a few interviews.