Circulating RNs with ACLS

[puroticorico, MSN, CNA, RN]

Hi fellow RNs,

My hospital is refusing to pay for me to have my ACLS renewed since it is not part of a circulating RN's job description. I wanted to have an idea of whether others are required or not to have their ACLS. I would think hospitals and patients would benefit to have a team well qualified in the OR...

[Windyhill, BSN]

Where I work now, we have to have ACLS and PALS b/c the CRNAs are contract and supposedly not responsible like we are if the patient codes?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Only our anesthesia providers and cardiac team (because they transport from ICU preop without anesthesia or the ICU nurse) are required to maintain ACLS. Nurses who had it previously from another role are permitted to use their education day for renewal (free course as an employee) but then aren’t able to attend other educational offerings.

[ORoxyO]

We were required to have it when I worked in a very small hospital due to limited resources.

I've never seen it required at a large hospital though. And like you, my job will not pay for us to renew because they do not require it.

[RickyRescueRN, BSN, RN]

Most job descriptions indicate which AHA courses one needs to have as a job requirement. Most only require BCLS/CPR. Some CV service lines prefer their nurses to have ACLS and will have that stated in the job posting.