Can a CNA take the ACLS???

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Dec 12, 2003

Originally posted by amyindallas
Hi,

I'm a student and also a CNA. I'm trying to take classes to learn all kinds of extra stuff besides just what a CNA MUST know. I was wondering if a CNA can take the ACLS??? I will be a RN when I get out of college and would love to learn as much as possible as a CNA while I attend nursing school to make my job and learning curve easier and also to be more marketable. Anyone know about this??? Thanks in advance.

Amy :)

Ummm...I don't think you can take ACLS if you are not a RN.

dphrn · Dec 12, 2003

You must be an RN to administer the drugs. So, I would say no. I would concentrate on your studies at the moment. When the time comes when ACLS is something you are able to do, take the course then.

I don't think you are ready for that right now. You need to learn assessment skills, drugs, rhythm strips, etc. First things first. It is great that you are so motivated.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2003

Originally posted by ?burntout
Ummm...I don't think you can take ACLS if you are not a RN.

Here LPNs and paramedics take ACLS, not just RNs. I'm not sure though about who legally can push the meds. I've not heard of CNAs taking it though.

glascow · Dec 12, 2003

Over here Respiratory therapists, RNs and LPNs who work ICU and ER can take ACLS.

Speculating · Dec 12, 2003

Originally posted by amyindallas
Hi,

I'm a student and also a CNA. I'm trying to take classes to learn all kinds of extra stuff besides just what a CNA MUST know. I was wondering if a CNA can take the ACLS??? I will be a RN when I get out of college and would love to learn as much as possible as a CNA while I attend nursing school to make my job and learning curve easier and also to be more marketable. Anyone know about this??? Thanks in advance.
Amy :)

I think dphrn may be right when they say it maybe a bit early for this. It sounds like you have a ways to go in school yet. I would wait until my last semester in nursing school. You do not have to be an RN to take it. I took mine the last semester of school. My ACLS was on a Sat-Sun, and my last day of school was the following Mon. It worked out great in order to pump me up for my boards a few weeks later. Then I walked straight into a Level II Trauma Center ER. Ask the instructor of the ACLS class before you sign up. If you are good, you can sneak into a critical care class before your done too! Do not let anyone take away your hunger, but know your own limitations and try not to get to ahead of yourself. :cool:

CCU NRS · Dec 12, 2003

that anyone that wishes to pony up the fee to take ACLS can take it. However as a CNA you would not be able to use it other than just having the knowledge. I would suggest you wait and take it after you graduate for a few reasons.

1. You have plenty of other studies that you need to concern yourself with during nursing school.

2. When you graduate and get a job the facility will most likely pay for it if you are in an area that requires you to have ACLS such as CCU/ICU etc.

3. If you are truly interested you may buy an ACLS book and learn the algorithms and read all of the requirements and have a good understanding of the concept.

Good Luck and keep pluggin away I like your attitude and eagerness to learn what you can.

for fun there are many sites that offr ACLS simulators try

http://www.acls.net

TinyNurse, RN · Dec 12, 2003

I took acls as a student nurse. i passed. they reccommend nurses, docs and medics take it, but if you are a highly motivated student, i don't see why not!!

best of luck!!

xo Jen

hogan4736, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2003

Originally posted by TinyNurse
I took acls as a student nurse. i passed. they reccommend nurses, docs and medics take it, but if you are a highly motivated student, i don't see why not!!
best of luck!!
xo Jen

keep up the forward thinking Tiny...

I took it my last semester of nursing school...then I transitioned from ER tech to ER nurse (in a day really, I had been precepted and externed to death!)

If you want to take it as a janitor, then more power to you (we had 2 janitors (2+ years strictly in the ED)) transition to ER tech...I have a friend who started back in the day as a janitor, and is a great ER RN now...

It may not make sense, however, to take it earlier than your last semester...As it is a 2 year certification...

sean

healingtouchRN · Dec 12, 2003

yes, remembering that ACLS give one NO LICENSE to do anything, it's a class. Our CVT's (Cath lab scrub techs)& RRT's take it so they are comfortable with the rhythms, & better able to work as a team. In the CV lab, everyone is watching the monitors not just the RN & MD, so it pays when some one catches the VT or VF quickly ! Money well spent on a well prepared staff. Go for it but you might have to shell out some $$$! The university where I graduated offers ACLS to senior nursing students as a critical care elective. But I find they do alot of memorization, rather than long term recall. The one's who take it as new grads do better. But it does help as a bonus for hiring, one less class to put a newby RN thru!

austin heart, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2003

A MA can take ACLS, so I don't see why a CNA could not. But on the other hand, ACLS is just a certification. It does not give the licensure or the OK to do anything out of the scope of your practice. I can understand why a CNA would need BLS but really don't know why you would need ACLS.

Brownms46 · Dec 14, 2003

Amy I say more power to you. But why pay the money for this course at this point, when you can just go to the link that has been provided, and learn ACLS on your own? The cost would be my reasoning here.

I'm very impressed by your thrist for knowledge, but I'm sure I'm not the only one! You go gurl, and never lose the drive and desire to learn all you can. It will serve you well in your career. Good luck:)!