ACLS - Nursing Student

Altra, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2013

I would not advise a student to pay out of pocket for ACLS or PALS -- you need a solid foundation in rhythms and pharmacology of code drugs, and the courses are set up for largely team learning. Each team member needs to possess the background to function as a team member.

Armygirl7 · Oct 16, 2013

I took my first ACLS class my senior semester of nursing school. Altra is right in that when I renewed this year after working 2 years in the ER I was much more invested and competent as a team member.

I still feel it was worth the $200 I shelled out for the original cert. I did it with a friend and we both got jobs within 2 months of passing the NCLEX. He also did PALS (I did not). I got hired into adult ER, he got hired into a Peds step-down unit. Did it make a difference on our resumes? Who knows, it was something I could talk about at my interviews to demonstrate that I was serious about pursuing a career in emergency nursing...it prepped me a bit for the ER environment, closed loop communication, and team leadership and being a solid team member, which is crucial not just during codes but at all times in the ER. I was hired into the ER so I would have needed it prior to hitting the unit anyway. I was in my first ACLS code within a week of starting my job.

It WAS nice to renew and have it paid for by the health system now! Good luck. I sweated through that first cert and test. Re-cert was a breeze naturally now that I've lived it dozens of times.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2013

I did it between my first and second year in nursing school, helped a bunch for me. However, I was an EMT and worked in a cardiologists office that summer (they paid for it), so I was actually quite strong in the rhythms and knew the drugs well. I think the advantage of doing it then was it did help me to feel more confident about the skills I was learning and I was able to use it during the interview process to show I was dedicated.

I also was able to pull a few shifts in the ER during my forth semester rotation and I knew enough to not be in the way during codes.

I would do it again.

thelittledoe · Oct 16, 2013

Thanks for your feedback everyone! I currently work as a tech at a hospital so I'm going to look into whether or not they will reimburse me. Thanks, again.

HokieNurse21 · Oct 17, 2013

Thanks good tips, I was told to let the hospital pay. But who knows, maybe it might make a difference on a resume.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Oct 18, 2013

Already having ACLS and/or PALS as a new grad on your resume honestly doesn't make much if a difference. You're better off letting the hospital pay as these courses are very expensive. Most places require these prouder courses be completed within 6 months of hire.

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ERnursebythebay · Oct 19, 2013

We were required to take ACLS during our senior semester. But, our senior semester included a critical care class in which we covered rhythms and drugs so we were pretty prepared. I don't know if it helped on my resume but I was recently hired directly into the ER less than a month after taking NCLEX. It did get me a little more money but only like $.50. I will be taking PALS within the next 6 months. I will say it did save me from sitting through an 8 hour EKG class that's part of our orientation. We had to take a pre-test and if we passed we didn't have to take the class. Having taken ACLS already made the pre-test a breeze.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 20, 2013

At the program I'm in, we're not required to take ACLS but by the end of the program, we've essentially gone over all the material for it and should we choose to take ACLS on our own, it's pretty easy by then. In Paramedic School, we combined ACLS with our cardiology didactic stuff, so when it was time to take the formal course, it was quite easy.

At my particular program, I would normally suggest taking it no earlier than the break between 3rd and 4th Semesters, at least for those that have never taken the course before. We were able to get a relatively decent deal, so a group of us took it a couple months ago. Otherwise, I would have waited a while before retaking the course.

One thing I noticed is that ACLS is a lot simpler than it used to be. Hopefully in a few months, I'll have the time to retake PALS and PHTLS as well.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Oct 20, 2013

I took ACLS the first time back when I was in paramedic school, probably about a year before I finished. OMG, it was intimidating then! As a tech it might be a good idea to familiarize yourself with it now, but I wouldn't go spending $200-$300 out of your pocket, either.

YorkieMomRN · Oct 20, 2013

My BSN program had a critical care class that offered extra credit for taking ACLS and gave a discount for students wanting to take it. I figured it couldn't hurt me and wasn't terribly expensive. (BLS+ACLS+PALS=$300)

I found that it wasn't difficult, and I actually made 100% on the mega code and written portions. I heard that it used to be harder previously, and felt it was very simplistic when I took it.

Definitely let your employer pay if possible, cause unless you are getting a great deal, it can get pretty pricey. But you will definitely learn A LOT. Be sure to know your rhythms going in, a good class format goes through the algorithms and helps you understand them.

Good luck in your pursuits! :)

NurseKrieger · Oct 21, 2013

I wouldnt recomend it for 2 reasons.

1. You need a base line knowledge of rythms, drugs, code procedures, etc before any of the information will be of ANY value to you.

2. DONT pay for extra training! Thats what your facility is for! Get on a floor in which that training would be useful then make them pay for it!