ACLS vs PALS vs CCRN etc.

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Specializes in PHRN, ICU, CCU, ER, NICU, Flight Nurse.

Hi,

I am a foreign nurse, I recently passed the CGFNS and I will sit for the NCLEX in 9 days.

I know I should focus on that right now but I can't help to think about the next step.

I was an ICU/CCU RN in France and I would like to work in adult ICU here in the USA.

I also have experience in NICU, ER, EMT and as a flight nurse.

I want to know what certification would help me the most to get a job. Plus I need to "refresh" and update my education since I haven't work as a RN for several years.

I am a mamber of AACN and I know they offer the CCRN. But I also know there is the ACLS and the PALS (and probably some more).

I am not sure what the differences are between all of them, is one harder to get than another, is one more recognized than another? Is there one that you can not go around etc.

Any help would be highly appreciated. Thank you.

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Specializes in Case Mgmt, Anesthesia, ICU, ER, Dialysis.

ACLS and PALS will more than likely be a requirement of your job.

CCRN is a voluntary certification, but is a good one to have. Many facilities will pay a certification differential - the last facility I worked in paid an extra 50 cents an hour.

Good luck on the NCLEX.

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Specializes in SICU.

ACLS is a more advanced verson on your basic lifes saving (BLS) which covers chest compressions, airway, intubation, breathing and code drugs for adults. You have to have your BLS current to get your ACLS. Pals is for the pediatric population being coded. Again you need your BLS first.

CCRN is a certification for adult critical care nurses. You need to have several hundred hours of practice in an adult ICU within the last year or two, so you will not qualify for this.

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Specializes in Adult Med-Surg Critical Care Unit.

Most critical care units require ACLS (Advanced Catdiac Life Support) as part of your job, especially because consvious sedation is provided. Most facilities will pay for you to get this if don't already maintain certification.. The same is true for Basic Life Support (BLS).

CCRN status will make you a more qualified candidate to get an ICU job. This test does require that you work I believe a minimum of 900 hours actively in the critical setting over the past 2 years. If you worked in France just before coming to the US it might count. The cetification is good for 3 years and requires many CEU for recertification without retaking the test every 3 years. I hope this helps. Best of Luck.

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Acls-bls- are a must.

Review the legalities of rn. Practice in america an in this forun read brent's law ,america is a lawsuit oriented society,for boards of nursing one mistake is too many and will revoke your licence or give probation that is like death sentence,no one will hire you

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