ACLS question

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I was just curious. If you were ACLS certified and only ACLS certified (no ADN, no BSN, nothing), what could you do with that.

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Specializes in PCU, Home Health.

From page 4 of the ACLS manual:

The ACLS Provider Course is limited to healthcare providers who either will direct or participate in the resuscitation of a patient, either in or out of the hospital. Participants who enter the course must have the basic knowledge and skills to actively participate with the instructor and other students in course activities.

Does that help at all?

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Since part of ACLS in administering medications, you cannot be ACLS certified without some sort of nursing/medical/field medic license.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

Our Nuclear Med techs and outpatient imaging techs have to be ACLS certified. They also have professional licenses in their field.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

one of our pharmacists took the course... she brought so much to the table when we were discussing drugs

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I think the answer to the original question is probably 'nothing.' I can see a scenario where a person could obtain ACLS as part of a nursing program or paramedic program then not complete that training. The individual would be no more allowed to perform advanced skills on a patient than a layperson who had not attended the training.

The professional's license/certification (and in some case the employer's protocols) gives a person the legal authority to perform an advanced skill. In other words, hospitals hire RN's in the ER, not ACLS certificants.

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well I know a place that will certify me. Im still an aspiring nursing student who plans to enter a nursing school in the fall so I barely have much background but for around $200, I can be ACLS certified. I just didnt know what I could do with that if that was the only thing I had...

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well I know a place that will certify me. Im still an aspiring nursing student who plans to enter a nursing school in the fall so I barely have much background but for around $200, I can be ACLS certified. I just didnt know what I could do with that if that was the only thing I had...

ACLS certification is not something that you can go out and buy. Assuming that they let you in the course you still have certain skills and tasks that must be passed. There is a written test, there is ekg strips to interprept, then the thrill of Mega code...these thing combined stress out even the most experienced of nurses and emergency personnell. Then when you pass all of that you can be certified...most lay people just do not have the knowledge base to grab it all in 2 days (1 day to learn 1 day to test).

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
well I know a place that will certify me. Im still an aspiring nursing student who plans to enter a nursing school in the fall so I barely have much background but for around $200, I can be ACLS certified. I just didnt know what I could do with that if that was the only thing I had...

I agree with Burn Out. I am an ACLS instructor, and there really is not a need for you to become ACLS certified, yet. There is a lot of background that goes into the class and initally it has the potential just to confuse you in your normal nursing classes.

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Why would you want to be ACLS certified if you can't use it??

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Regarding the first post you put up, you can't do anything with an ACLS certification and no healthcare provider license. Not for employment, certainly.

Regarding the second post, I wouldn't be so quick to pay $200 for the class, either. Many facilities will offer you the training free once you are part of the staff (assuming a license, of course, and the facility's needs status). I will pay about $20 for a book, course is free, when I find the time to do it!

If you can't use that training, you've wasted time and money. It's silly at this point. Finish your student days first, get a license, and then worry about it.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.
Regarding the first post you put up, you can't do anything with an ACLS certification and no healthcare provider license. Not for employment, certainly.

Regarding the second post, I wouldn't be so quick to pay $200 for the class, either. Many facilities will offer you the training free once you are part of the staff (assuming a license, of course, and the facility's needs status). I will pay about $20 for a book, course is free, when I find the time to do it!

If you can't use that training, you've wasted time and money. It's silly at this point. Finish your student days first, get a license, and then worry about it.

:yeahthat: from another ACLS instructor.

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