ACLS While in School?

Jess-RN in 2006 · Dec 15, 2004

I know that we get certified during nursing school, our second year its part of our cirriculum, as is IV/Phelbotomy certification(first year). Our instructor was just talking about it the other day, and said that once we graduate, it will make us more marketable as nurses....if your school doesnt offer it, and you have the chance to take it, I think I would..

twarlik · Dec 15, 2004

I don't think it's a waste of time at all. I've seen a couple of critical care programs for new grads that suggest ACLS prior to graduation. Makes you more competitive and I think it shows that you have a lot of initiative. I'm hoping to take ACLS early next year.

I say if you have the time and money, take it now!

zambezi, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2004

I took ACLS in the beginning of my final semester of school...I found it to be very helpful, especially since I was orienting/doing a preceptorship in critical care. Even though I couldn't really participate in the codes (as far as pushing meds, etc), I found that I understood what was going on, going to happen next etc. Plus when I graduated and was hired I could just jump right in and play a part on in the codes on the floor.

johnnrachel · Dec 15, 2004

Could someone tell me what certifications you need for this ACLS? How long does it take to get, how much more school etc. This is something I would like to consider, Do you already have to be an RN??? Please help. :uhoh21: thanks so much

hypnotic_nurse · Dec 15, 2004

ACLS is a class that teaches you advanced life saving techniques. It takes about 2 days (it's been awhile) and you have both a written test and a demo test at the end (you have to pass them both). PALS is the same thing only for children. Basically you learn to run a code and use a defibrillator and do airway stuff.

johnnrachel · Dec 15, 2004

Im so sorry about all the questions, however is it safe to say that this is an advanced CPR class???? Is it hard to study for and do you have to be and RN??? We are required at my school to obviously be CPR certified (health professional class) would this take the place of that?? Im sorry if I sound stupid,, Im really interested in this. :uhoh3:

AgentR · Dec 15, 2004

Okay, one more question! :) I want to go in to L & D, so should I go for ACLS, PALS, or both?!? Both sounds a bit much, but are they similar?

Thanks all!

twarlik · Dec 15, 2004

Im so sorry about all the questions, however is it safe to say that this is an advanced CPR class???? Is it hard to study for and do you have to be and RN??? We are required at my school to obviously be CPR certified (health professional class) would this take the place of that?? Im sorry if I sound stupid,, Im really interested in this.

If you don't have any experience yet, then you shouldn't take ACLS. My understanding is that you do need some basic understanding of cardiac emergencies and EKG recognition. Perhaps some other folks who've actually taken the course can share more info with you. You do not have to be an RN to take ACLS.

twarlik · Dec 15, 2004

I visited the American Heart Association's website and got their description of the courses. Here you go:

ACLS

The ACLS Provider Course provides the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate and manage the first 10 minutes of an adult ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia (VF/VT) arrest. Providers are expected to learn to manage 10 core ACLS cases: a respiratory emergency, four types of cardiac arrest (simple VF/VT, complex VF/VT, PEA and asystole), four types of prearrest emergencies (bradychardia, stable tachycardia, unstable tachycardia and acute coronary syndromes) and stroke.

Intended Audience

Personnel staffing emergency, intensive care or critical care departments; emergency medical providers such as physicians, nurses, emergency technicians, paramedics, respiratory therapists and other professionals who may respond to a cardiovascular emergency.

PALS

The goal of the Pediatric Advanced Life Support Course is to provide the learner with:

Information needed to recognize infants and children at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest

Information and strategies needed to prevent cardiopulmonary arrest in infants and children

The cognitive and psychomotor skills needed to resuscitate and stabilize infants and children in respiratory failure, shock or cardiopulmonary arrest.

Intended Audience

Pediatricians, house staff, emergency physicians, family physicians, nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare providers who are responsible for the well-being of infants and children.

Hope this answers some questions.

Tony35NYC · Dec 15, 2004

Im so sorry about all the questions, however is it safe to say that this is an advanced CPR class???? Is it hard to study for and do you have to be and RN??? We are required at my school to obviously be CPR certified (health professional class) would this take the place of that?? Im sorry if I sound stupid,, Im really interested in this.

Your question isn't stupid at all. Yes, ACLS is advanced CPR. My nursing program required the BCLS (basic CPR) before we could start clinicals, but they also recommend that we do the ACLS before graduation. When I did the BCLS it took the whole day. I'm pretty sure the advanced course lasts at least 2 or 3 days and it costs much more, too.

jaimealmostRN · Dec 15, 2004

I think its a great idea IF you have the extra time to study for it. I took it over summer break (when I had no other classes to take). I had also previously learned the algorithms. There is no way that someone without expirence could learn everything in the two day class unless they studied prior to the class. For the record, I studied on and off in July and took the class in August. I passed! It is one of my greatest accomplishments and probably looks great on my resume too!!! Good luck!