ACLS/PALS for new grad?

[ctam28]

Hi Everyone!

I am currently still looking for a job and I have been looking into getting additional certifications. Would you suggest getting ACLS and PALS certified? Will that be good for my resume since I am a new graduate?

I was hoping to get these certifications once I got hired as an RN, but now I feel that I might need to get it beforehand to make myself stand out from other candidates.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

[zeus&lincoln]

Check with the hospital systems that you are looking to apply to. Many will provide those certifications during orientation (even if you already have them you'll have to retake them). I was over eager and decided to do ACLS and PALS before I applied to the hospitals in my area in hopes that it would add something to my resume. Whether it did or not... I don't really know. They were very expensive and my hospital is making me redo them... However, I did get hired into my dream unit, the NICU. As I said, idk if the certifications helped or not but they certainly can't hurt. So, if you resume' needs improvement because you aren't getting a lot of bites in terms of employment then I say... Go for it!

[mwlude]

If you have the money to spend on it DO IT. If you can only choose one, ACLS is the way to go. PALS is only useful on units where you'd be dealing with pediatric patients like ED or a peds floor. PALS doesnt apply to NICU either, NRP is the standard resuscitation cert for that unit and L & D\post partum floors. I personally went ahead and got ACLS, PALS and NRP. NRP was offered free thru our school as part of our L &D rotations so why not and ive been in a enough codes by now adult and pediatric to really benefit from the other two. My thinking was that I am now more marketable to any floor that happens to be hiring. on another note, becoming a BLS instructor also adds huge points for various reasons and sets you apart further because new grads with ACLS are becoming the standard due to competition.