On-line ACLS recertification.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.

Has anyone done their ACLS recertification on-line?

I just looked at their website, ACLSonline.com, and for $175 you can test on ACLS or PALS.

I've always taken the classroom version, and the review is great, but I could live without all the mega-codes and simulations (get enough of the real thing, thanks) and just get down to self motivated review and testing.

Do you-all think this is a legitimate option? Would you do it, or have you done it? How was it?

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I've been curious about the same thing. I heard if you take the test, and fail, you lose your $175, so that kind of scares me.

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Our hospital will only accept AHA or ARC courses. TOo bad, cause these on-line ones look good!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.

No, it says that you will be referred to an advisor of some kind who will let you know what to review again, and then you retest. It did not say it would cost another $175.

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Specializes in ICU.

I did my recert this past weekend. AHA is strongly advising against these online classes. They are doing a new deal where you can purchase the program to do the lecture portion and the written test on your PC, print out your certificate of passing grade on written portion of test and take it into an AHA office were someone there can check you off on a Mega Code. If I am correct, the program is the same price as the 2 day class.

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.

I did the AHA's Heartcode last week, which gives an AHA card and is completely computer based. Here's the link to the AHA website cite:

AHA Heartcode

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So let me get this straight, featherzRN. Did you do the whole course, or just the renewal online? Did you complete the skills demos online, too? Or do you have to do those somewhere else.

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.

I did the whole course and it was all computer based from home. The CD-ROM software has a megacode component with video actors that respond to your prompting. Kinda cool, actually. :) It's AHA approved (as evidenced by the cite directly from their website) and it gives a real AHA card.

My work does not accept 'online' ACLS, but I have no idea if they will accept this course as it IS AHA and doesn't say 'online' on the card. It's a moot point since it's not required for my current position (yet, anyways). Btw, the place I bought the course from charged $250 for a 'non renewal', but if you follow the link from the AHA site it's only $99 there :o . (So, yes, I am an idiot but at least I can save others from having to pay $250!).

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Thanks featherzRN!

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I read this posting today and got really excited about it but when I looked into it, it seems to be in error. Did you actually receive an AHA card without going to a skills center? All of the websites I can find about this program, require a skills check off done by a certified instructor. Is there a way around it? Please get back to me right away if you can. I am expiring on 10/31/07 and will be taken off of my hospital work schedule if I'm not recertified by then!!!

I did the whole course and it was all computer based from home. The CD-ROM software has a megacode component with video actors that respond to your prompting. Kinda cool, actually. :) It's AHA approved (as evidenced by the cite directly from their website) and it gives a real AHA card.

My work does not accept 'online' ACLS, but I have no idea if they will accept this course as it IS AHA and doesn't say 'online' on the card. It's a moot point since it's not required for my current position (yet, anyways). Btw, the place I bought the course from charged $250 for a 'non renewal', but if you follow the link from the AHA site it's only $99 there :o . (So, yes, I am an idiot but at least I can save others from having to pay $250!).

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Specializes in M/S, Tele, ER/Trauma, Float, Resource.

So my question to someone is, are these online courses legit? And if so when you print out the card does it say any where on there that it was an online course? Please let me know ASAP regarding this if anyone knows.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.
So my question to someone is, are these online courses legit? And if so when you print out the card does it say any where on there that it was an online course? Please let me know ASAP regarding this if anyone knows.

The hands-on skills for AHA's Heartcode ACLS Anywhere (www.laerdal.com) and Heartcode ACLS (www.onlineaha.org) include BVM ventilation and 5 cycles of CPR. The skills can be checked off by an instructor or done on the electronic Heartcode manikin.

We're beginning to use Heartcode ACLS at our facility. The online part (Part I) can be frustrating at first because of problems navigating through the module, but it is completely self-directed & thorough. I'm getting good feedback from people regarding the content. We've had first-timers and renewals use the program.

As far as the other all-online courses...double-check with your employer about their requirements before spending money on something that may not be accepted.

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