BLS or ACLS certification for new grad

yelnikmcwawa · Jan 26, 2011

Did your nursing school not have a requirement that you be BLS certified while a student??? I was under the impression that every nursing student needed to keep current on their BLS while doing clinicals. If so, did yours just expire?

Anyway, back to the question...that depends I would say. First, you HAVE to keep current BLS for HC providers at all times...even physicians have to renew every 2 years. If you find yourself unemployed with nothing to do, take ACLS as well, because that certification may just land you a job! But you are right, many employers will pay for your ACLS; mine is :-) Of course, you got to get the job first, tho! Good luck :-)

Kabin · Jan 26, 2011

I think I did ProCpr.org last time for healthcare provider BLS, all online, $29.

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 26, 2011

I'm surprised you're not already BLS certified as a prerequisite of your nursing program.

If you're not already, you definitely should be. I would not do ACLS - if you're hired into a unit that requires it, your facility will pay for it for you.

Make sure your certification is through AHA. There is no such thing as a 100%-online BLS course that's approved by AHA. AHA requires that you do an in-person skills checkoff (although you can do the book portion online). Many/most facilities will not accept your BLS certification unless it's through AHA.

Kabin · Jan 27, 2011

That's a good question klone re: accreditation. There may be no such thing as an AHA approved CPR course. Hard to know who to believe when it comes to advertising. My company ok's ProCPR and reimburses us but I don't work in a hospital either.

Here's what ProCPR says...

http://www.procpr.org/en/nationally_recognized

Who Approves CPR Certification?
ProCPR is an accredited program that satisfies the requirements for CPR training according to the latest ECC/ILCOR and the American Heart Association guidelines.
The American Heart Association is the United States’ representative of ILCOR and cannot approve, endorse, or give accreditation for CPR training for any other organization. They simply publish their own CPR courses and materials for training just like ProCPR and the Red Cross do.
No organization exists that provides a national endorsement or approval. So each CPR certification provider is free to construct their own curriculum and teaching strategies based on the ECC/ILCOR guidelines. Every business, agency or individual can freely choose to accept ProCPR.

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 27, 2011

Maybe I shouldn't have said "approved by" AHA. Maybe I just should have said "done by AHA." Many facilities require that the certification be THROUGH the AHA, and won't take other certifications.

Hoozdo, ADN · Jan 27, 2011

Maybe I shouldn't have said "approved by" AHA. Maybe I just should have said "done by AHA." Many facilities require that the certification be THROUGH the AHA, and won't take other certifications.

I concur w klone. I have never worked at a hospital that allowed a program

that was not AHA approved. You need CPR for health care providers. I would

not bother w ACLS as a new grad unless you have a complete understanding

of heart rhythms. You need to know much more than what they teach in

nursing school on arrhythmias.

Let your new job pick up the tab if you need ACLS.

salimom · Jan 27, 2011

Thanks so much for your responses, saved me a couple of hundred dollars! I was CPR/BLS certified at the beginning of school, but it expired last month and I figured if I needed to upgrade to ACLS I would do it now. Thanks again!

MassagetoRN · Jan 28, 2011

Just to throw in my 2 cents....

I am an unemployed new grad (since June 2010) and can't find work. I am going ahead and getting my PALS (Pediatric Advances Life Support) through PCH in the hopes that it will give me the extra edge in the job market. Cost is $180 + book. Yes, it would be nice for an employer to pay for it, but they aren't exactly lining up to do that now are they? Again, just my 2 cents....

caliotter3 · Jan 28, 2011

I got ACLS and PALS on my own, no one paid for it. It is nice to be able to put it on your resume, hoping that the next time you have to renew, you will be employed by an employer that will pay for the renewal.

justanimals · Feb 4, 2011

I realize I am getting in a little late...but as everyone else said you have to do your BLS that is your CPR. Even if your plan on working med surg it would benefit you to get your ACLS. American heart association has great info. and classes offered. ACLS is a course that teaches certain algorithms based on cardiac arrythmias and conditions presented by the patient. It covers intubation, administration of certain medications, arrythmias. There are short courses for renewals and extended versions for first time users. BLS is required and works in combination. I don't know if your were ever involved in a code situation during clinicals, but initial response usually starts out with unresponsive patient>vital signs>CPR(BLS)>code team reviews situation (they are ACLS certified), they hook up heart monitor to patient and make the physician makes decisions regarding intubation, shocking, medications. You will need to take an EKG course prior to the ACLS. Plus side, it is continuing education while you wait for a job and it looks good on your resume and to employer, most require within six months anyway, can write off on your taxes. Negative side is more money spent when you don't have a job. Hope it helps.

shannahan · Feb 4, 2011

If you can afford to get it, I would. I got mine as a new grad and interviewers have been impressed that I already have it. .