ACLS as a student?

[SN2014]

I graduate in December.

I am at the end of my 5th semester, which is our final semester w/ theory content. Next semester is strictly clinicals and projects.

My question is - Would it be valuable for student nurse to obtain ACLS/PALS certification?

I have learned all theory and have learned all cardiac rhythms, interventions, drugs, etc.

I saw an online certification option @ http://www.aclscertification.com/

I was wondering if it may help me get a job after graduation?

I am BLS certified, which runs out in December... I have to renew that, also.

If you put no- please add why not

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

It may be helpful but I wouldn't worry about it. Some places won't certify new grads of RN till they have their licensure but usually you can find one training center that will. Ultimately, if the job requires it they will offer it 90% of the time. I had mine back from when I was a paramedic and I was glad I coughed up 120 to recert in pals since mine expired when I transferred to the ICU. Then I found out the hospital would have charged me 5 bucks to recert.

[supaflyz]

Not really. I got my ACLS the last semester of ADN program. Didn't really need it.

[SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP]

I was going to do ACLS before my last semester, because I had just finished an amazing cardiac rotation with a cardiac DNP instructor. I was advised to wait. I am doing it now two years later, and I regret not doing then. Back then it was all fresh, now my employer is paying. Being a nurse for 2 years hasn't made it easier, if anything I find it harder. I say set yourself apart and learn as much as you can.

[Julesmama28]

I did it my last semester of BSN program. It was nice to have time to really study heart rhythms in depth. It was a 2 credit class and we certified acls at the end. Perfect!

BSN 2014

I don't think the certification itself has much meaning for a new grad. The only way to become competent and confident in a code situation is to go through code situations.

However, I do think that the class itself is beneficial, particularly if it's taught by a good teacher, because you will be exposed to numerous case studies and scenarios -- both from the teacher and from RNs who are re-certifying.

I don't think the certification will help you get a job but I think the classroom experience *could* help you on interviews.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I don't think ACLS really goes in depth with the heart rhythms...

I tell people to play with EKG Skill Stat.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I don't think the certification itself has much meaning for a new grad. The only way to become competent and confident in a code situation is to go through code situations.

However, I do think that the class itself is beneficial, particularly if it's taught by a good teacher, because you will be exposed to numerous case studies and scenarios -- both from the teacher and from RNs who are re-certifying.

I don't think the certification will help you get a job but I think the classroom experience *could* help you on interviews.

This is true. There's a kind of rhythm and flow that gets going in a code and it can take a while for the newly certified ACLS practitioner to get into the groove of it. With Paramedics it's a little easier because they get certified during school and usually run a few codes before they graduate and step out on their own. But I can certainly say that it's just not easy to do, even for them, at first. You just have to experience it and do it.

Unless you already have a need for ACLS, hold off of taking it until your last semester because you'll have likely covered all the basic material in class. This would prime you for being better able to go through the course and you'll learn the material a bit more solidly.

[allieb1984]

My school offers it at an additional cost, Im taking it in my final semester (yay) that and PALS.

It wasn't until my second ACLS recertification that it all started to make sense.

The difference: Repetition and experience.

If you can afford to take a face-to-face ACLS class, taught by an experienced provider, I would take it. An online 'class' has no benefit whatsoever for a student nurse or new grad. For a salty nurse who's just looking to keep the certs valid, online is fine. An inexperienced person, regardless of nursing tenure, *needs* the face-to-face time and the opportunity to hear war stories which is where the learning happens.

The algorithms are trivial -- the application is variable.

For example, two things that I've learned in real life: (1) figure out if there's a colostomy bag before you start pumping the chest and prepare accordingly... (2) be aware that you can end up with an open wound in the chest during compressions...

I know these from personal experience, not from a book, and yet they both make me a better (or at least cleaner and safer) nurse.