Can a CNA take the ACLS???

[Agnus]

Legally ( I know from a simular work related situation where I looked into it )you can take it. It is unlikely they will admit you to a class.

Assuming you pass all you can do is CPR. You cannot use the ACLS as a CNA.

It will be way over your head. Even if you pass you will not have what you need.

Taking ACLS now would be like trying to learn brain surgery without having even finished high school biology.

It probably a weird example but is what came to mind.

There is more to ACLS than meets the eye. You need to have a good grounding in advanced nursing that you will not get until your last year or nursing school.

I took it as an LPN and in many ways was over my head. I was a new grad an it was required even though as an LPN I could not do anything with it my facility wanted me to have it so I would understand what was going on and beable to run and fetch during a code.

Taking it now will not make you more marketable. It will not give you a head start.

You need to learn to walk before you try out for the olymic track team.

When you graduate will be soon enough. Even then your employer will send you to ACLS class if it is needed where you work.

The majority of nurse do not have ACLS and will never use it.

[healingtouchRN]

wouldn't it be nice if all the nurses in the hospital would take ACLS &/or PALS? I think so, since so many nurses are afraid of the big red cart & anything to do with the defibrillator. I believe it could empower the masses. hhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......

[flashpoint]

Most of the hospitals in this area require it for all RNs and for any LPNs and techs working in critical care areas. Even if you can't do everything taught in ACLS, just having the knowledge can only benefit you and your patients!

[Burnt Out, ASN, RN]

Here LPNs and paramedics take ACLS, not just RNs.

I wasn't sure if LPNs could take it or not considering they can't give meds IV push (at least at my hospital anyway). Didn't mean to exclude anyone:)

[grouchy]

If you just want to satisfy your curiosity, rather than get a credential, maybe you can talk to the ACLS instructor about just auditing the class for free. I've never heard of anyone doing that, but, hey, it doen't hurt to ask, right? Some of it will be over your head, but you'll probably get some of it, and you will probably enjoy that part. And, someday, maybe one of the RN's who took the class with you will be the person interviewing you, or a new coworker, and they will remember you, and realize what a motivated nurse you are.

If you feel drawn to this kind of stuff, you also might enjoy paramedic or EMT training. Although, I know that as a working nursing student, I sadly did not have enough free time to devote to the class or volunteering.

I definitely wouldn't pay for ACLS in your shoes. It's a lot of details to remember. Definitely use it or lose it.

[hogan4736, BSN, RN]

" It is unlikely they will admit you to a class. "

Wrong...I took it, no questions asked (as an ER tech)

" It will be way over your head. Even if you pass you will not have what you need."

Not necessarily...If one is motivated to take it as a CNA/MA/PCT, etc., they are likely ahead of the game already...

"Taking ACLS now would be like trying to learn brain surgery without having even finished high school biology"

PLEEEASE!!!!! Lame comparison...

"There is more to ACLS than meets the eye. You need to have a good grounding in advanced nursing that you will not get until your last year or nursing school."

The only semi- reasonable point you've made...Maybe the CNA IS in the last year of nursing school...And let's be real, EVERYONE passes anymore. Not to discredit the class, but the "high-stress" days of ACLS are over (at least in Arizona) It's now a very friendly, group participation kind of class anymore...

"I took it as an LPN and in many ways was over my head. I was a new grad an it was required even though as an LPN I could not do anything with it my facility wanted me to have it so I would understand what was going on and beable to run and fetch during a code."

Not always the case...EVERY LPN in our ER has it and passed the first time, and are more than "gophers" during codes...

"Taking it now will not make you more marketable. It will not give you a head start."

How can self motivation, forward thinking, and planning ahead, NOT make ANYONE more marketable? PLEEEEASE!!!! I hope you're not doing any hiring...You might miss a diamond in the rough...

As an ER tech, I defibrillated patients MANY times during codes...

Besides, wherein lies the harm if a CNA takes the class, or a janitor for that matter? What are you afraid of???

sean

[healingtouchRN]

Indeed it will make one more marketable, as I'd be more likely to hire someone with it (current) than without....one less class to put them through in the first year. Yes, ACLS (as of the ECC 2000 guidelines, I teach this stuff routinely) is more friendly. It's a class. It should not be used to intimidate or abuse as when I first took it in the 80's. It is very interactive, as are REAL codes (right?). The only times I can think of doing ACLS alone is when one is in the back of an ambulance on the way to the ER, ASAP! Don't sell yourself short, please.

[flashpoint]

Here, ACLS is a lot more than pushing drugs and pushing a button on the defibrillator. They teach a lot about education and having the family at the bedside and AEDs and simply not being afraid of the "big red cart." Here, a CNA with ACLS is the PERFECT person to chart during the code...they know the routine and they're able to say, "Hey, it's three minutes since epi." without being told to speal up after three minutes...etc. Our housekeeper in med-surg is also a volunteer firefighter (NOT an EMT) and he's one of the best people at remembering to grab the AED if it's going to be quicker than waiting for the regular defib...he's also a great resource to do chest compressions and to hold the family's hand etc as it needs to be done.

Here, we have the attitude that NO ONE is "beneath" taking ACLS...even if they can't do all of the skills, even if they can't pass the written exam or mega-code, just sitting through the lectures is a huge benefit!!! Also...most instructors (at least here) will try to direct their lecture to suit everyone on the class. If they have a class of all paramedics, they talk more about intubation and being in the truck than they do about remembering to take the head board off the bed and be sure the operator pages the code to the right room...if they have a lot of CNAs and techs, they make sure they talk a lot about doing good compressions, interacting with the family, keeping the room safe, etc...

[Q.]

Originally posted by hogan4736

" It is unlikely they will admit you to a class. "

Wrong...I took it, no questions asked (as an ER tech)

Sean,

I would think your situation might be a little unique, in that you were working in a critical care area that often requires their nurses and techs to be ACLS certified. But as a CNA who may be working in a general medical setting, I can tell you as an RN in an education department that is also facing a shortage, we would most likely bump that CNA out of class in favor of an RN/LPN or whomever is required to take the class. Courses such as ACLS are limited in class size, especially with a shortage of qualified instructors.

Second, I think you were reading a little into Agnes' post that wasn't there. She said having ACLS at this stage would not necessarily make her more marketable. She was not speaking about motivation, which, by the way, is demonstrated in many,other ways besides wanting to take ACLS early in the game. I would hope that you aren't doing the hiring if all you're doing is looking at who signs up for what course and making THAT your sole identifier as motivation.

[hogan4736, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by Susy K

Sean,

I would think your situation might be a little unique, in that you were working in a critical care area that often requires their nurses and techs to be ACLS certified. But as a CNA who may be working in a general medical setting, I can tell you as an RN in an education department that is also facing a shortage, we would most likely bump that CNA out of class in favor of an RN/LPN or whomever is required to take the class. Courses such as ACLS are limited in class size, especially with a shortage of qualified instructors.

Second, I think you were reading a little into Agnes' post that wasn't there. She said having ACLS at this stage would not necessarily make her more marketable. She was not speaking about motivation, which, by the way, is demonstrated in many,other ways besides wanting to take ACLS early in the game. I would hope that you aren't doing the hiring if all you're doing is looking at who signs up for what course and making THAT your sole identifier as motivation.

Susy,

I reread agnus' post...I still got a feeling of "division" from the post.

The post was saying (maybe just to me): How dare a CNA would even consider taking ACLS, as it's reserved for nurses...

And I was NEVER required to take ACLS as a tech...In fact, I received a lot of resistance from many who adopted a similar (negative) attitude...Very few were so forward thinking and accepting...

And I think you may have read too much into my hiring comment. I look at MANY things when hiring an ER nurse, motivation and foresight being two of many factors. Each prospective candidate is unique. I don't have "generalizations"

Agnus' sentiments remind me of far too many "old school" (no ageism intented) managerial thinking. Like "we don't hire new grads in the ER (see many old posts regarding this) "

I am just saying there are many exceptions, and each case should be INDIVIDUALLY considered/denied

Of course not every CNA belongs in ACLS, and every new grad doesn't belong in the ED...

Just asking for an open mind, thats all :)

sean

[Q.]

Point taken, Sean. Thanks. :)

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

As a former CPR and assistant EMT instructor, YES YOU CAN! Go for it! I admire your desire to do so. You are exactly the type of person employers like to hire; one who is interesting in furthering her education. Good for the mind, and good for the soul.

Fran:D