Acls????

[On-z-go-nurse]

I am thinking about getting slowly back into hospital nursing as I have been a stay at home mom for 4 yrs. It seems every hospital I have called all ask if I have ACLS, Pals, NRP, or certifided in critical care. I am not any of the above. I never needed all that before and dont understand the preference for it now. I understand having it to work in specialty area but I just want regular floor nursing. They all tell me its not demanded but "strongly recommended" which to me means it demanded. Maybe to them it makes me for "floatable". Are most nurses now ACLS? Is this the norm everywhere? I would like to learn more advanced skills later when I feel more comfortable with general nursing skills again but now I feel a bit overwhelmed with being expected to have advanced skills (ever noticed the word kill is in skilled?) Maked me a bit weary to even get back into nursing. Any advise??

[cindyln]

I work postpartum/L&D and have NRP which is required and PALS.

[fab4fan]

IMO, it is not worth it to get those certs unless you are going to be working in an area with a high probablility of using them...it's just impossible to remember all those algorithms if you only use them sporadically.

If you want to do med/surg., I don't see any need for ACLS except for your own knowledge. I think you hit the nail on the head; if you have those certs., they will float you, and you will be expected to perform at that level. It just increases your accountability.

[Zee_RN, BSN, RN]

Oh, I just got my ACLS renewed today. It's not that bad! If you've never had ACLS, you need the two day course. But if you truly don't want to work a cardiac or monitored unit, you don't need it. But that IS where the biggest need is, from what I've read. Critical care.

Yes, there are med surg and long term care jobs out there. Have you considered long term care as a re-entry area? Could be a good place to break yourself back in. And there certainly is a need.

Check around and find out what suits YOU best.

[911fltrn]

Believe it or not I now know many "new grad" r.n.s who work in the emergency room without ACLS! I would say it is not the norm for the majority of the nurses where i work to have ACLS. Its usually just critical care and e.r. nurses. (probably o.r. also) Acls can be easily passed with the proper amount of studying. You should be able to get a job without having acls. Come back to the trenches, we need you!

[deespoohbear]

I am ACLS certified and I work in med-surg. Yes, I am glad I have the cert. It makes me feel more comfortable when a patient goes south on me (and patients DO crash in Med-Surg, believe me!). I wouldn't think you would need a critical care cert unless you plan to work critical care. I am thinking about getting PALS certified though because I work in a small county hospital and we do get peds patients.

If I were you, I would try to get my feet back into nursing and get comfortable with that and then go for ACLS. I don't think the ACLS classes today are as "stressful" as they were 15 or 20 years ago according to some of my co-workers who have been certified ACLS for years. Best wishes.

[Sarah, RNBScN]

Most places have ACLS prep courses first then you do the ACLS run. Try this site

http://www.v-tachonline.com

I think that's the one. If not, I'll try and find it in my notes.

[spot]

I would agree with the above: get your feet wet again, re-learn what you forgot. But don't take too long.... Then I would highly recommend you take ACLS. As stated above, even med-surg patients crump. Remember, these people are sicker than ever before, thus increasing the odds that the fecal material will hit the rotary oscillator during your shift. I feel it makes you better prepared, and so a better nurse.