None of my friends who are new grads are even looking into ACLS type of courses right now...
but for the area I want to work in it pretty much is required. I'm hoping it gives me an edge up on the others who are applying. I also know a lot of people get their ALCS and etc when they get the job... the place pays and also pays for their upgrades and etc.
But this time I'll be paying for it myself... and it is NOT cheap.
I just don't really have any idea what to expect. The course is in the beginning of August. I'm planning on paying/registering come Monday or Tuesday.
Is this course going to be very hard? what if I don't pass the test? do I need some sort of background before doing this 2 day course? I know new grad nurses can do it... but what if I wasted all that money and I'm not successful in it?
I'm a new grad and I am taking ACLS. It's required for all the job listings I've seen, and it's not that expensive at $285. I'm taking it because I know I'll need to have it for a job, so it's one less thing I have to rush t do once I sign for an official offer. My personal opinion was that it will look good to take it on your own as a new grad for two reasons:
1.If you took it and paid for it yourself, your future employer won't have to pay for it. It saves them money, they like that.
2. It makes you look extremely pro-active about your nursing career and interested in advancing your knowledge. With many more new grads than available jobs, you want to show yourself as eager, interested in nursing, and willing to go the extra mile.
I'm a relatively new grad and I took the ACLS. It's not hard but just make sure you know your rhythems. If you don't pass the written or the mega code they will remediate you. They want you to pass. Has it helped me find a job or even land an interview... nope. However, IMOH, taking the course was not a negative experience, I learned something new.
Good Luck!
P.S. Read the material that they send to you prior to attending the course
Specializes in thoracic ICU, ortho/neuro, med/surg.
Hey there,
I just graduated from LPN/LVN school, and I am employed in the ICU where I was a nursing assistant first. I had to take ACLS because all employees in the ICUs at my facility must be ACLS certified.
It was difficult but I think you can surely do it. But someone else has already said this is a perishable skill -- if you are not going to be actively using your ACLS skills, I don't know how well you would be able to remember/recall the algorithms and use them effectively. It might help your resume but because of that I don't know how much good it will do you.
I took ACLS, PALS and NRP while in school. It did help me get an ICU job. the class isn't that hard IF you understand EKGs, know your rhythms, and learn your basic algorithms before class.
I took it WHILE i was in my cardio class. When I got my RN and then sent out applications I was the only one who got interviewed of my classmates by a hospital quickly. The interview was also on a PCU, not the typical med surg unit new grads are placed on. In the interview she said that the ACLS definitely helped along with the rest of my experience and that if I didnt feel comfortable with the ACLS i took, I could take it through the hospital. It was a win/win. I feel I really got the upper hand.
ACLS is not a hugely difficult class if you already know the basic rhythms. It pretty much boils down to fast/slow, narrow/wide or asystole. Once you know the algorhythms, the hard part becomes being able to take a leadership role and running the megacode. Watch the Paramedics... they'll show you how it's done and likely most of them have taken the course a few times over the years. Same with the more experienced RN's if they're from an area that ACLS is required and they run codes quite a bit.
If you're not yet a student, there's little need for ACLS. If you're licensed/certified in a field where ACLS is preferred or required, then that's a good reason to take ACLS before starting Nursing School.
I took my ACLS and PALS last semester of nursing school in level two and I took it through my community college and I got it free from my tuition waiver. I work in a very busy 49 bed ER and had I not worked in the ER or been in code situations doing CPR It would have been a lot harder. The algorithms are long and you have to know them for mega code. I felt weird being a tech in a room of ICU and cath lab nurses and paramedics and I did not know as much as them but I did use my nursing knowledge and ER experience and I did good. I watched the first few rounds. They want you to pass so they will help. I took ACLS first and it was harder for me but I passed and learned ALOT. I did PALS a month later and it was easier and I was more confident. When we have a code I understand and know what to expect and that's huge. I just did my rotation in PICU last weak and I was talking to the manager and one of the PICU/transport nurses and when she found out I had my ACLS/PALS/BLS she grabbed the manager and was like. Look! she had has her ACLS and PALS already! I thought it was funny. But it looks good on my resume when I want that ICU job :)
I recommend taking the course. It is not that hard, but you certainly will have to study the algorithms and arrhythmias. It is fun and I think you will enjoy it if you like intense situations. I do not know why anyone would say you should wait. Every bit of education we get helps to add to the knowledge base we use in our everyday practice. Go get it!
as a person everything at first is to damn hard but believe me ur in the right path go attend hit ur dream ,,, just like it understand and love it,,, pray and believe ,,,,
Dont freak out. Go in with an open mind. Your taking the class to learn. I had to take the acls class in order to work the er. I just got my license in 12/2010. I was nervous. It will be quite informative. Hopefully, you will get a acls book to review. Good luck. If you fail, well take it again.
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I'm a new grad and I am taking ACLS. It's required for all the job listings I've seen, and it's not that expensive at $285. I'm taking it because I know I'll need to have it for a job, so it's one less thing I have to rush t do once I sign for an official offer. My personal opinion was that it will look good to take it on your own as a new grad for two reasons:
1.If you took it and paid for it yourself, your future employer won't have to pay for it. It saves them money, they like that.
2. It makes you look extremely pro-active about your nursing career and interested in advancing your knowledge. With many more new grads than available jobs, you want to show yourself as eager, interested in nursing, and willing to go the extra mile.