PALS and ACLS question

[myko]

Hi Im currently a third year nursing student in Hawaii and just finished my Fundamental Clinical Rotation on a Progressive Care Unit and will be doing my Med-surg and Maternity/Peds rotations this coming school year. I currently have my BLS and I was wondering when I should or when I can do my ACLS and PALS course and get certified? Should I do it this summer so I can be ACLS and PALS certified before school starts or do it this winter so I am at least PALS certified by January 2013. I plan on becoming a Pediatric Emergency Nurse.

Thanks

[chicaner]

I say get your certifications as soon as possible. If you can afford to get them during the summer then get them then. JMO

[medic9872]

I obviously don't know how your program is structured, but make sure you've covered the material well enough before taking either ACLS or PALS. Best suggestion I have is to get the books for both and study them. If you don't know the basics covered in those, you're going to be wasting your time taking the courses. That said, neither is super difficult. As a paramedic, I've been certified in both since my last semester of medic school. A degree/diploma isn't required to pass them. Just like any other life support class, remember that although you may learn how to do something, you still have to be certified to do those interventions (pushing meds, intubations, etc). If you've covered critical care type of material, you should be fine. Oh, and make sure you get new books as the guidelines have changed in the past year or two.

Christina