BLS and ACLS

Nurses General Nursing

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Can anyone tell me the best place to get BLS, PALS, and ACLS certified? and the costs? Is it better to take it online or in a class? Any advice would be helpful. :redpinkhe

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The best way to take it price wise would be your employer if you work for a hospital, you won't have to pay anything and get paid your time to attend the class.

Otherwise you can check a local community college, The American Heart Association and the local EMS county office. For a 2 day class you can expect to pay $90 to $125.

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You can't do either one online. You can do renewals partially online but you still have to attend a physical location to do a skill check-off.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

ACLS and PALS are available online at ACLS Certification, Recertification & PALS Recertification but you must have someone certify that you've demonstrated the skills requirement, and the are considerably more expensive.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

although the nursing market is competitive in many areas. 15 years in, I have never had an employer NOT provide and pay me for the training. Having been in management, I promise you this isn't something that is looked upon as a bonus. They are looking for hands on. Just adding this info, to prevent you from paying $$ you don't need if you think it will help a job search. If not, sorry, but the AHA is the best advice if you're going agency.

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

If you do an online component it will just make it more expensive. Just go to a class and they will teach you what you need to know. :)

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I recently had to renew my ACLS & at the time wasn't employed by a hospital. I contacted the American Heart Association & they game me some leads. But I had the most luck by calling local hospitals. Many allow outsiders to take their courses, provided they pay the fee. I plan on keeping my receipt & being reimbursed one way or another. The ACLS renewal cost me $125.

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You can't do either one online. You can do renewals partially online but you still have to attend a physical location to do a skill check-off.

Nah, you can do renewals for ACLS entirely online. The test is a lot harder though. It's how I've done it the last couple of times.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.
Nah, you can do renewals for ACLS entirely online. The test is a lot harder though. It's how I've done it the last couple of times.

Not completely true. If you are required to have AHA ACLS you can do the classwork and written test on line but you still have to be checked off in person by an approved instructor. There are other providers out there but not all hospitals will accept them.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

Did all three through my employer this year. Had to sign an agreement that if I left voluntarily within a year the cost of the programs would be withheld from my final check. Like if I got a job paying an extra three or four bucks an hour I would let a couple of hundred dollars hold me?

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Not completely true. If you are required to have AHA ACLS you can do the classwork and written test on line but you still have to be checked off in person by an approved instructor. There are other providers out there but not all hospitals will accept them.

Hmmm. Well, I get an AHA ACLS card that's been recognized by a couple different employers. I'm about to retest again there.

https://www.aclsonline.us/recert/pages/about.jsp

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

If you read the site it says it's "based on the AHA ACLS course". In addition it looks like there is apparently a skills check list that is supposed to be completed by your employer which sounds kinda like the "in person" check-off you need for AHA. Many hospitals require that you take the actual AHA course offered by the American Heart Association. Not sure how you're getting a card that says you're AHA certified and I'm betting they (AHA)wouldn't be too happy if they knew about it. I've done the on-line course with a live mega-code. Glad your employer is satisfied but it's a good thing for others to check it out before shelling out the benjamins. None of my employers have accepted anything but AHA.

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