Pals And Acls

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER and ICU!!!.

Ok, ignorant question, what exactly are PALS ans ACLS? I am a LVN going into the hospital for the first time (2 yrs hh and ltc experience.) I will be receiving my ADN via EC around June. Do I need these extra qualifications right now? can I even get them as a LVN?

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ACLS = Advanced Cardiac Life Support

PALS = Pediatric Advanced Life Suport.

These are both specialty certifications; not required for licensure. Usually required to work in ED/CCU etc.

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Also; yes you can take these course's as an LVN.

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Specializes in Home Health, Primary Care.

Usually required to work in an intensive care unit, i.e., MICU, SICU, CCU, CTU, PICU, NICU, ER and any that I missed.

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Specializes in medical, telemetry, IMC.

i just took acls this past weekend. it is a requirement for working on my unit (medical/telemetry). we had to pay to take the class ($145 or $175 if you bought the book from them) but we get a $0.50 pay raise if we have acls.

we don't get any pediatric patients, so we don't have to take pals and we also would not get the pay raise, so i didn't take pals.

it really wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. i am a new lvn (graduated in may) and i passed the mega code and i made a 100 on the test.

also, since you're in tx, if leslie hernandez (www.lpmh.org) offers classes where you live, take them with her. she's great! i have taken several classes with her and she makes things really easy to understand!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER and ICU!!!.

Thank you. It is nice to have a community of fellow nurses to come to and ask questions. :balloons: :balloons:

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