ACLS to make me look more appealing to recruiters?

[jmokeefe]

I work in LTC and SAR since March of this year, graduated December of last year. This is NOT what I want to be doing...so I am trying feverishly to get into the hospital (ICU or step down, or med-surg). Soooo many others have the same goal and its been tough getting even an interview. Do you think getting my ACLS certification on my own will make me more appealing and stand out to nurse recruiters for positions? Thanks!

[surferbettycrocker]

no need to jump on soapboxes here to knock me off of mine! :rotfl: for the posters that say acls got them in the door i am curious what the hr/nsg mgrs perspective was that acls got your foot in? maybe that you were willing to get that cert? thats great. but your post is confusing - are you advertising a lapsed acls cert?

i think all rn's working in a hospital should have it, please do not take my post the wrong way and think i am discouraging 'expanding a skill set' or augmenting your education. this is my opinion, not fact. we are free to express an opinion or two on here no? my opinion is get a year of acute care under ur belt then take acls.

stay lost sounds like u a very motivated fairly new grad. i bet that gumption helps you

run all sorts of codes with the best of them.

i realize it is especially important in this nursing environment to stand out in your resume, so to the OP--spend the money for ACLS, add it to your resume then come back and let us know if it was worth it to put that cash up front. if you have the cash why not? educating yourself is never a negative.

you could always take it for free through your employer if you decide to wait. most,

not all hospitals will offer it. and that hospital job will come-with or w/out acls first i would bet on it.

[jmokeefe]

OP here! LOL - Well, I signed up for and paid for the ACLS, it was to happen June 7th/8th, I had an interview at Union Memorial a few days ago and they made me an offer! I am starting on June 14th, and they advised me that it showed effort and also enthusiasm that I would consider getting the ACLS now, BUT that they offer it for free there, and also that it would make more sense to me and also be more effective if taken at the end of my critical care courses that they also offer there for free, so that is what I am doing! :)

Thanks to all replied :)

[surferbettycrocker]

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?

ACLS = drugs and rhythms. it is hard data-- evidence based factual data. if in your opinion you think it will help take it. its not a hard decision. you pass or your fail. at the very least you will know how much is too much atropine.

from your posts it sounds like it will help you to take it--it is a tangible step in advancing from "LTC" or "SAR". as "unglamorous" as working with non-acute people may be, it is still vitally important work and thank you for being there for a mostly forgotten sector of society--the elderly, frail and in need of rehabilitation.

[surferbettycrocker]

OP here! LOL - Well, I signed up for and paid for the ACLS, it was to happen June 7th/8th, I had an interview at Union Memorial a few days ago and they made me an offer! I am starting on June 14th, and they advised me that it showed effort and also enthusiasm that I would consider getting the ACLS now, BUT that they offer it for free there, and also that it would make more sense to me and also be more effective if taken at the end of my critical care courses that they also offer there for free, so that is what I am doing! :)

Thanks to all replied :)

to jmokeefe--congrats! what you posted here was EXACTLY what i was trying to advise! acls isnt a hindrance, but you will

understand what the experienced rn's were trying to tell you when you take the class.

good for your and best of luck in your new position. seeing as how motivated you are and that you were thinking it through already shows you have the critical thinking skills for a higher level of care. you will surely do well.

[jmokeefe]

awww thanks so much! :)

and to PP, "just for the record"...I don't prefer the LTC and SAR that I work at right now simply due to the fact that they only offer 8 hour shifts and we are required to work every other weekend, whereas in the hospitals its every 3rd weekend and 12 hr shifts, which in the end winds up doubling my income and making it "worth it" for me to leave my kids and pay for a days worth of daycare :) I can't afford daycare for 5 days a week, and in order to be full time there, you have to work the 5 days. If where I work at now decided to do 12's and self-schedule, as well as every 3rd weekend...I'd stay!