Med/Surg RN. Want ICU job. Get ACLS?

[Spine_CRNA, BSN, RN]

Hi,

I'm a Med/Surg Nurse of just over two years and I want to get into an ICU, but it's very difficult for me! Most if not all ICU openings I see require ACLS cert, so I'm thinking of getting it to make the job hunt easier.

~Based on my research it doesn't look like there's any requirements to obtain ACLS other than being a practicing RN, but I want to verify with you folks. Can I get ACLS cert even though I'm working M/S?

~What specifics should I know before beginning ACLS? The description says just basic knowledge of cardiac rhythms and resuscitation pharmacology.

~M/S RN's who moved to ICU, how did you do it? What qualified you? Etc.

~What other thoughts do you have about this topic?

Thanks in advance!

[momof3lv]

You can take acls but see if your work offers it. They may pay for it even if it's not required for your job. I didn't need it for my med surg job but I already had it and wanted to renew it. I've had it since I was an Lpn so not just rns are eligible.

[Spine_CRNA, BSN, RN]

Thank you! Yes, my job offers it and will pay for it, but I won't be able to take it until March... about 2.5 months away I'm really itching to get off my unit...

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I took ACLS while working in medsurg when I started looking around for jobs. I took it through work at a very reduced rate. My workplace required a basic rhythm course before taking ACLS. See if your hospital has something similar.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

It is good to prepare for the ACLS if you have never taken the class and test!

You will be required to know the algorithms and the usually make you run a code.

You can prepare by reviewing the material.

When I worked in critical care I got the job while I was a nursing student in did my rotation in ICU towards the end of nursing school.

I feel that it is somewhat good luck to get a position in critical care but it is for sure an advantage to be ACLS certified.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Are you looking to move to ICU within your facility?

[AJJKRN]

I'm a Med-Surg float and I'm required to have ACLS and be competent in moderate sedation as well for my job. Look at PALS as well because some ICU's (like my hospital - Level I trauma) take any age from newborn to adult. We also have a level III NICU...just depends on the circumstances.

[I.C.UNurse]

As a leader in my critical care unit, you need your ACLS to work in my ICU as well as having some noticeable attributes. Such as being driven, independent, hard working, intelligent, willing to work overtime, etc. TNCC is also a good course to take if able.

[RNthenDoc]

I'm a new graduate in the ICU and only have to obtain ACLS, if I may ask, what is difficult about getting into the ICU for you as an experienced RN, I guess I'm not understanding.

[Bob Loblaw]

Go to the AHA site and look for courses before 2.5 months if you want it faster. They even teach it at my local adult ed @ nite at the high school.

[wannabecnl]

1. As far as I know, anyone can take ACLS, BUT...

2. You have to know your cardiac rhythms cold to have any success. You can't be sitting there trying to reason out what dysrhythmia you see on the monitor in the middle of a code, and you can't do it in ACLS class. Take a basic dysrhythmia class first, then ACLS.

3. The drugs--meh, you can learn those from the ACLS book--try to get a book ahead of time. I didn't take a specific pre-ACLS med course, so I must have learned them either in the class or beforehand from the prep materials.

4. Your employer may offer ACLS either onsite or at an outside facility. I paid for my initial certification (I took it as a student to become more marketable for PACU), but I have been paid to take all of my recerts plus received CEs for my time. Again, I'd look first for a basic dysrhythmia course at your hospital and start there.

5. It's interesting that your ICU requires ACLS to start working; a lot of postings around my area require it within so many months. I'd check on that; again, if you are able to take it once you're hired, they will likely pay for it.

[brownbook]

I've taken ACLS at least 15 times. Certainly working ICU you need to learn cardiac rhythms and dysrhythmias. And I know ACLS instructors, focus, emphasis can REALLY vary.

However every ACLS class I have taken lately there is way less emphasis on cardiac rhythms. The last thing you want to be doing in a code is staring at the monitor for 2 - 3 minutes interpreting Mobitz I from Wenckebach.

Is the patient unstable or stable, is the rhythm too fast or too slow, what do you do. Emphasis on "too fast, what do I do....to slow what do I do" now what type of rhythm it is.

Mistaking a dysrhythmia may not kill a patient, giving too much atropine or the wrong dose of epinephrine can kill a patient.

I still have a hard time with the drugs.....I blame it on taking ACLS years ago when there were a lot more drugs.....nowadays I can't seem to remember the simple, few, basic ones! Well....maybe old age doesn't help either! :)