BLS vs. CPR/AED??

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I feel silly asking this, but I honestly do not know...

What is the difference between BLS and CPR/AED for the healthcare professional? I am a new graduate, and my nursing school required us to have CPR/AED, so that is what I have. However, I see most job descriptions looking for a BLS.

When I went to register for a BLS course, it was listed as BLS/CPR for healthcare professional.

So do I need to take a BLS course, or is my CPR/AED enough? If employers are specifically looking for BLS, should I just go ahead and get it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I have no clue on the different wording. In my work world, BLS is just that. Basic CPR/choking. AED is NOT taught. I think I'd call and clarify what they mean by it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

These terms (BLS/CPR) are often used interchangeably. If you took a CPR for healthcare providers I think you are probably covered. I wouldn't go ahead and take different one unless I was specifically asked.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care.

In my BLS for Health Professionals class, we did CPR, AED, and choking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
In my BLS for Health Professionals class, we did CPR, AED, and choking.

mine too - infants and adults.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, CCU, Heart Transplant.

The American Heart Association's BLS for healthcare Professionals is universally the preferred/required class for hospital folk.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

bls of health care providers is essentially the same class as AHA hearsaver (cpr, AED, choking). The differences are that the health care provider course covers checking pulses, use of a bag valve mask and advanced airways.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Look for the courses that have the terms "healthcare provider" in the title. If you have any questions, give them a call or get the institution to be specific with your requirements. Some accept the Red Cross version and some do not. But all require healthcare provider versions versus versions for the general public.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.
bls of health care providers is essentially the same class as AHA hearsaver (cpr, AED, choking). The differences are that the health care provider course covers checking pulses, use of a bag valve mask and advanced airways.

I think the heartsaver class is compressions only now too.

My CPR for healthcare providers covered CPR, AED, and choking as well. Tokmom, I'm surprised your class didn't teach AED. It only adds about 5 minutes to the course. I thought the classes for non-healthcare providers even covered AED's now. Perhaps your instructor was a little lazy, lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The BLS is 5minutes longer and most of the time is good for 2 years. The Red Cross's is good for a years...and usually $25. Most hospitals prefer the BLS from the American Heart Association.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

if you will look on the American Heart Asso website you will see that Basic Life Support is the type of course (versus Advanced, like ACLS and PALS) and CPR is the type of SKILLS you learn in BLS courses.

Healthcare Provider is designed for licensed staff. Heartsaver-AED is designed for unlicensed staff. Other courses are for friends, family, first aid---.

Heartsaver AED will teach CPR, including how to use an AED if one is available.

Healthcare Provider teaches all of that, plus bag-mask-valve, providing oxygen, recognizing stroke & heart attack, ------ more than just skills.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The BLS is 5minutes longer and most of the time is good for 2 years. The Red Cross's is good for a years...and usually $25. Most hospitals prefer the BLS from the American Heart Association.

CPR/AED from the American Red Cross is good for 2 years now.

My nursing program requires CPR for the Professional Rescuer from the Red Cross.. I wonder why if hospitals prefer BLS from AHA.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment