Continuing Education....

[aldridge91]

So I am almost done with my CNA class and was looking into some continuing education courses to add to my resume. EkG, PALS, ACLS, etc... Would this be beneficial to me as far as getting hired at a hospital? Or would it not really make a difference? If so which ones; are there others I should be looking into as well? Thanks for reading!

[Candyn]

I am confused with your post. are you in school for RN or LPN too? According to what I know, CNA does not read EKG. The reason people get ACLS and PALS is to direct code, but every RN can push med...but does not mean RN direct code either...most likely Dr. Maybe get BLS but I do not see the need to get ACLS and PALS. I have been into very few code and rapid responses but I have not see a CNA in the room once or there is even space for another extra RN to be in there. Room full of dr that is why. However I may be wrong:)

[aldridge91]

I plan to start LPN in the spring. I have 1 pre-req left to complete first before starting the LPN program. I'm going to work as a CNA while in school for my LPN. So just wondering if this would be beneficial to me for work or lpn school. :)

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

ACLS & PALS are beyond the scope of practice and often knowledge base for LPN's & CNA's some programs in my area will no permit you to sit for PALS/ACLS unless you can perform the skills (ECG interpretation, administer defib shocks, administer critical IV Push medications, intubation). An ECG course that teaches you how to perform ECG's and other cardiac monitoring such as holter monitors would be helpful, but not so much a course in ECG interpretation. The ECG interpretation is necessary for ACLS & PALS, as rhythm interpretation is expected as a course pre-req.

Perhaps an affordable course in phlebotomy would be helpful as some facilities permit CNA's trained in phlebotomy to perform veinipuncture.

A CNA with ACLS, PALS or NRP or ECG interpretation would not be at an advantage when applying for jobs, in my experience as these skills are beyond the scope & knowledge base for CNA.

Applying for a hospital job with phlebotomy coursework/experience and perhaps ECG tech (obtaining ECG's, knowing what an acceptable rhythm strip should look like, hooking up properly, troubleshooting poor ECG tracings, etc.) would be helpful when applying to an acute care hospital position, especially in a facility that uses NA's & techs to perform these jobs.

Good luck.