Please Explain the Certs.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if you guys could explain to me what the general certifications a nurse can get. How can we get them and when should they be gotten?

I have heard of the PALS and ACLS. What are they? and why should a nurse get them?

I am a student so I am trying to prepare for my career and would like for all of this to be explained.

Thanks.

Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

Why don't you tell us what you think they are, how they can be obtained, and why it might be beneficial to obtain them.

kplp1111

71 Posts

Touché, LOL. Well I know that the ACLS is the advance life support cert.And I know it will be beneficial for my career. However, I don't know the recommendedtime to obtain it. I attended a for profit college (if you can call it acollege) to receive my surgical tech cert. Can nurses test for this as well? Ifso would it help in a surgical facility or would the nurse just be seen as anor nurse with a cert

The ACLS is the only cert that I really know about and Iwould like information, or rather credentials of some of the communities nurses. Thanks.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 5,115 Posts

Wait unti you have the job, and most employers will send you to the certification classes they think you need to work for them. It's silly for new grads to take ACLS or PALS or the like because you won't really learn and understand it until you have some solid work experience. Take BCLS and relax.

As for other kind of certifications, there are many, many, many. http://www.nursecredentialing.org/certification.aspx While you're at it, look up the definition of the difference between "certificate," "certification," and "ABNS certification." http://www.nursingcertification.org/ Most real certifications require some period of time in the job plus an examination-- for example, for the CCM certification for case management, it's two years working as a case manager plus sitting a big exam.

Specializes in Adult Oncology.

Do you have your CPR certification? That's BLS, basic life support. ACLS is advanced. It is required in my hospital for ICU, ER, OR, L&D, and I believe telemetry. There are a ton of certifications available for nurses and which ones you "need" are depending on what area you wish to work. I only hold BLS. I am also chemo/biotherapy certified. You wouldn't need that if you did orthopedics. I'm thinking of going for wound/ostomy certification too. Wouldn't be required, but would be beneficial. Many certifications require you to already be a nurse before starting, and many others require an RN.

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