New Grad: PALS Question

[nycNurse2b]

Hi everyone.

I'm a new grad applying for PEDS jobs. My question: Should I pay $300 to get PALS certified now to enhance my resume and chances of getting hired? Or is this something that my future employer will pay for (if needed) once I am hired.

Many thanks!!

[becembrie]

Congratulations on graduating. I am returning to nursing after 16 years working in our family business. I will be returning to a pediatric Hem/Onc unit and will be taking PALS before I start in August. If I waited, they would have paid, but I wanted to get it done before. It wasn't really an issue and I know that the policy at the hospital I work at is that it needs to be done within 6 months of hire. I believe at our facility it is part of the new grad orientation. As a new grad, I doubt they would expect you to have it, but I think it would show great initiative if you already had it completed.

It is the one thing I am doing that makes me really nervous. I've been studying the books and hopefully it won't be as bad as I think.

Good luck in your peds position search.

Karen

[*ac*]

PALS will mean a lot more to you once you have experience. Without experience, it will be very difficult.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I'm all for getting PALS early on. PALS is about learning a framework for managing unstable patients. If you don't have experience with pediatric assessment, you'll be exposed to a lot of new information, but I like to think of that as a benefit rather than a roadblock.

If you're able to take the PALS assessment framework and apply the applicable portions (things like the general, primary and secondary assessments) to your routine practice, it will be second nature by the time you encounter a true pediatric emergency.

[nycNurse2b]

Many thanks to all who took the time to respond. I appreciate the input. Based on what I read, i think I will hold off on getting PALS. The advice that it would mean more if I had some peds experience did it for me.

Have a great day everyone!