I'm a new grad, hoping to work in MICU/CCU, although the way hiring and the economy are here, I may have to take anything that will get me into a hospital. Would it help me get an ICU position to take an ACLS class on my own, or is it something that I should wait until I'm hired? I don't know exactly how the hiring culture works, I don't want to be presumptuous.
I'd like to take the class. It doesn't cost much at all compared to my BSN; it's interesting material and we didn't get any real exposure to it in clinicals - we got a short lecture on EKGs and had the ACLS drugs in pharm but not the nitty-gritty with all the indications and contraindications. For instance, I learned on Allnurses that you don't give NTG to a pt with an inferior MI. I'm studying from the icufaqs.org material now.
I did a MICU/CCU externship and loved it so it's definitely where I want to be. So, take the class on my own, or not?
I agree that you should wait. Having ACLS is just book knowledge and doesn't make you more competitive than if you'd actually had a job where you used it. You'd be a MUCH more competitive applicant if you'd worked as a nurse tech before graduation. ACLS is just a piece of paper and anyone can get that. Good luck!
Having been in HR in my past life, I have to disagree that it won't make me a better applicant. The more credentials and acronyms you have on your resume the better! The tech point is well taken and I am sure it would help.
My hope is to land in an ICU and hopefully I will remember some of it or if I have the opportunity to take it again, it will stick even better. Your absolutely right that anyone can get it; but how many new grads will have it? How many will show the initiative to grow and learn?
It is kinda like the old joke about the bear chasing to 2 hikers. The one stops to put on his tennis shoes and the other says you will never out run that bear if you keep stopping. The other replies "I don't have to outrun that bear, I just need to out run you!":D
I was hired on as a new grad into a CCU/ICU unit. I did get my ALCS before I applied. During the interview process, I was asked if I had it or not. They were impressed with the fact that I had it already and it showed how serious I was about the position. It does cost a lot and all places will pay for it if you wait. Just depends on you and if the money matters or not. I say it did help me get the position in this particular unit. Hope it helps, thanks!
Specializes in Flight RN, Trauma1 CVICU STICU MICU CCU.
Sorry to be an unemployed know-it-all,
But! The op has the time and the money and the desire for this knowledge. When recently dealing with a code situation in my EMT rotations, my knowledge of ACLS DID help. You don't go from getting your cert to LEADING a code on your first time around. But it does give you a secondary awareness while you are doing compressions, of what is going on and why. Tom, i mean no disrespect by using your words earlier, nor by disagreeing with you now, but paraphrasing you, ACLS is not the only thing you look for in the hiring process (that means you still do look at the fact that someone has it.) The OP is trying to distinguish them self from the herd of GNs applying for the ICU (at least in my interpretation). Discouraging the OP from seeking further certification because of time and money is moot as they have already stated that the cost and time is not prohibitive, not to mention the fact that the material is interesting to them. Taking ACLS will not turn you into a know-it-all, it will bridge your knowlege into a position where you can discuss with other more experienced professionals why things were done and what could have been done better or differently after you get yourself into that first code situation. "Fortune favors the prepared mind."
groovy jeff, RN
348 Posts
Having been in HR in my past life, I have to disagree that it won't make me a better applicant. The more credentials and acronyms you have on your resume the better! The tech point is well taken and I am sure it would help.
My hope is to land in an ICU and hopefully I will remember some of it or if I have the opportunity to take it again, it will stick even better. Your absolutely right that anyone can get it; but how many new grads will have it? How many will show the initiative to grow and learn?
It is kinda like the old joke about the bear chasing to 2 hikers. The one stops to put on his tennis shoes and the other says you will never out run that bear if you keep stopping. The other replies "I don't have to outrun that bear, I just need to out run you!":D