Not sure if this is stupid question or not but..

[EP10]

I'm a recent grad with my BSN, in the process of job hunting. The last time I took my BLS/AED was 2 years ago and I was in nursing school. Those certifications will be expiring soon. Do hospitals provide these courses to their employees? I don't want to take this course on my own, and pay money for it and then get hired somewhere and learn that this type of thing is available for employees.

I don't know if this is a stupid/obvious question, I'm just unfamiliar with hospital policies/course offerings.

Thanks so much!

[chare]

No, not a stupid question at all. In every hospital that I have worked I was required to have an active BLS provider card at the time of hire. From that time forward, recertification courses were available.

Best wishes in your job hunt!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

My organization provides BLS training as a part of onboarding for new employees. No charge to them.

[oceanblue52]

I've had it both places, one wanted me to have it in hand and the other offered training. Check and see what kind of classes AHA offers. If they are frequent enough, you should have enough time to speak to H.R. and then take a class if needed.

[kateee]

When I got hired at my hospital I already had my Bls, but I know during orientation they had those who did not or needed to renew theirs stay late one day and provided the class for free

[target98765]

Yes they do!! 😉 and you don't have to pay! They usually offer PEARS, PALS, and ACLS as well free of charge!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Yes they do!! ������ and you don't have to pay! They usually offer PEARS, PALS, and ACLS as well free of charge!

That is most definitely NOT true of every hospital. When I came into the position I currently hold, the hospital I left only required BCLS recertification every other year, and I was about a month past the end of the first year. I not only had to take the full 8 hour course before I could begin my orientation, but I paid the full going rate to take it at the university. As for PALS, ACLS, TNCC, ATLS, NRP and any other advanced certification, none of them are free here. They may be offered at a reduced rate if provided by unit staff, but we pay for all of them.

[EDnurseNY]

I needed to have the AHA BLS course. My hospital provides the course, but I had to pay.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

This will purely depend on where you work. Some employers offer recertification of at least BLS to staff free of charge, both upon hire and annually but many do not. My employer used to reimburse us for this, they no longer do. It is yet another of our benefits that quietly disappeared.

[SilleLu]

My hospital also provides this free of charge. However, I personally would not let mine expire unless I had a job offer and start date and the hospital specifically stated that they would provide the course. It's much cheaper and easier to renew than to start over once expired I believe. Good luck job hunting!

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

You will want to have your BLS active during your job search. At this point I would pay for it. For the next certifications, your employer will most likely pay for them.

[NurseCait220]

Hi There,

Not a dumb question at all- I was recently hired for an RN position and my BLS from nursing school just expired too.

My new hospital told me I was responsible for paying for the class now, but moving forward, they would pay in for future recertifciations. Hope this helps.