Hello and a question about BCLS v. ACLS

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello. I just joined today. I graduated in June and got my RN in August. I have two toddlers at home, so I wanted to spend some time with them (that I never got when I was in school) before I went job hunting.

Well, I've started and it's tough. Everyone has already interviewed and it seems that all positions are filled. I've gotten a couple of "why did you wait so long to apply?" When I explain, they're usually understanding, but it doesn't open the position!

Anyway, since I'm looking I figured I'd take some classes here and there (i.e., just signed up for a couple of one-day classes, like "adult vascular access".) But also, my BCLS expired and so I have to renew it (well, take it over again). But I was wondeirng if I should just skip that and go straight for the ACLS.

Do you need to have BCLS before you can take the ACLS course? I figured ACLS could only make me more marketable.

Okay, that's all for now......any advice is appreciated!

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I'd make sure your BLS is up to date. Many workplaces won't require you to have ACLS, and the ones that do will often give you a window of time to get it, and will even pay for it.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, Now Radiology.

ACLS requires you to have current BLS before you can take the class. After all what good is the advanced course if you don't refresh the basics. The instructors will usually ask for a copy of your current bls card prior to the class. Hope this helps. Good luck!!!:heartbeat

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.

Yeah you have to have BLS before you can take ACLS, and while it may make you slightly more marketable...just having ACLS will not open up entry level jobs either. I wanted to take ACLS before I job hunted and was advised not to, told I should wait until I had been on the unit for a while...that was the best advice, it all made so much more sense, and I was more familiar with EKG's and such. Good Luck!!

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Thank you all so much. Exactly the advice I was looking for! I guess I just couldn't bear the though of having to take that boring CPR class over again. Oh, well, my fault for letting it lapse! Thanks again.

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