new nurse

Hey man congrats on the first RN position! First thing's first I don't know how it is in your state, or if this translates to all states, but (in PA) CE credit isn't needed for the first license renewal period since nursing school counts as that. Definitely worth looking into.

As far as your acute care aspirations go, most hospitals will provide for your enrollment in ACLS (especially in ED, ICU, and Tele) and some other orientation classes for nurses either through the very same hospital or an outside agency. For instance I just got off my own orientation for SDU, and two of the classes they set me up with were online through the AACN/Elsevier. "Basic ECG Interpretation 2.0" and "Essentials of Critical Care Orientation", or ECCO. I do believe these are both offered for purchase by individuals if that's something your interested in. The rest were run by the hospital's nursing education department.

My one good friend from nursing school hadn't been able to find a job for months after graduating (market is tough for us in my city), and she too contemplated enrolling in ACLS believing it would improve her skill set/marketability towards employers. My opinion on this is, while your motivation to jump through hoops to accomplish your goals is inspiring and should never change, employers are more interested in a well-rounded amateur nurse with good fundamental skills (not saving a couple hundred bucks on some classes). Maybe someone with an administrative background can chime in to this? Besides, if you're going to be working in rehab/LTC you may not necessarily use or need ACLS or ECG interpretation. If you truly did, your institution would make it a condition of hire/sign you up themselves. Why let such skills atrophy unused when you paid for them personally?

My recommendation is to work on your time management, delegation, and communicating with doctors and other professionals in your team. Learn everything you can where you are now. When you feel like you can handle the responsibility, try to find and apply for a per diem job in the hospital you want to get your next job in - if possible in the same area. Establish rapport with the staff there and get their recommendation then apply for a full time position.

All in all you should be proud of your new job and make the best out of your first years as a nurse. You have a long prosperous career ahead of you.

TU RN