ACLS and PALS before orientation?

[MiGab]

I just got a job offer in the ED. The HR person said I need to have ACLS and PALS before starting in less than a month. My ACLS expired and when I got it my workplace paid/held the class. This hospital is large and has a residency program. I don't understand why I have to do this before I start. Under their resident's benefits it says they will pay/provide the training. Why wouldn't they do this for nurses. I cannot find a PALS class that starts before the orientation starts. There aren't many classes available on the American Heart Association site. Any experience with this?

[BetterMeRN]

Jus let them know you won't be able to obtain these certifications before starting and that you can and will. Good Luck.

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

Also, they probably have PALS and ACLS through their own courses. I agree with giving them a call and clarifying.

[montecarlo64, BSN]

They might mean you need to get them sometime (at your hospital) during your orientation period. That would make more sense...The HR person may not realize these are certifications that you just can't go get when you want...

[Kidrn911]

Yes, I had to do this at a couple of places. 1 place they make even the employees pay for the class and this was a teaching hospital. They other place since I was hired, but not yet started they taught the class, they gave me the number to register for the class they taught and waived the fee since I would be an employee.

Talk with the hiring manager, they may say otherwise, explain that your certs expired and will be unable to start until you get the class per HR. They maybe able to trump HR with the requirement.

[MiGab]

I talked with the nurse manager and HR again. I do have to pay for both. If I already worked there they wouldn't make me pay for it.

[Kidrn911]

That is a bummer