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caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2003

ACLS is much harder. You need to be able to read and interpret cardiac rhythms and tell which drugs should be pushed (and how fast and in what solution, etc.) for all indications. They run you through scenarios to test you.

Scavenger'sWife, RN · Mar 8, 2003

Basically ACLS prepares you to run a code situation - what drugs to give, when to shock, interpretation of rhythms, etc. Good for hospital nurses. But if you work Home Health, or somewhere there is no crash cart, I wouldn't bother with it. (Unless you just want to torture yourself!)

BLS is just what it says - basic. It teaches you CPR and Heimlich. No drugs or strips. It does usually include AED use (Automatic External Defibrillator).