certifications

Your nursing program will probably require BLS, I can't image one that wouldn't. It's just a few hours one day at a local hospital or health department where you learn CPR, Heimlich, and the basics of AED.

ACLS would most likely be very, very far over your head. (You'll get there! Just not yet). If you have experience reading EKG strips, and understand some basic dysrhythmias, go for it, but for the vast majority of nursing students this would be a waste of time and money. Let them teach you the basics about rhythms in nursing school first.

I've know of people who worked as EMTs or paramedics for years before going to nursing school, but that is a different profession all together.

Take the BLS. Forget everything else.

I took college classes during HS just graduated June 11th and I am taking summer classes now. I won't be fininshed with my prereqs til spring. While in HS I took an Allied Health class at my school that qualifies you to take the CNA exam. Apart from the clinical intership, we had to go over basic anatomy & physiology, and get BLS/CPR certified. I will taking my test to become a CNA on July 17th and will nopefully get that certification that day. In NC you have to be a Certified Nurse Aide and be CPR certified to just to enter a nursing program. Which you have to be CPR certified to be a CNA so if you get that your pretty much covered. I just got First Aid Certified as well.

I would at least do CNA and BLS/CPR.

If you have the time, consider taking an EMT class. You will be amazed at how much you will learn there, as well as get some great hands on skills and field time.

thanks for the input... keep them coming.

Community colleges offer lots of workshops/seminars in their continuing education department. You get a little certificate to add to your portfolio, learn something new or refresh your memory on a skill you haven't done in awhile.

some I've seen include

-basic lab interpretation

-sterile techniques review

-basic massage techniques

-glucometers

-ostomy care

-physical assessment review

-infection control