PALS and NALS

[my4helpers]

I am trying to find some info on getting these two certifications. Are you able to get them while in nursing school, or do you have to sit for the boards first?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

From the AHA regarding PALS:

The PALS Course is for healthcare providers who respond to emergencies in infants and children. These include personnel in emergency response, emergency medicine, intensive care and critical care units such as physicians, nurses, paramedics and others who need a PALS course completion card for job or other requirements.

Technically, you won't need a license; however, you won't be the person responding to and participating in codes as a student- plus facility policy is likely to dictate that you would not be permitted to give any meds in a code situation. If it does end up being a job requirement after graduation, it should be provided by the employer.

Not sure what you mean by NALS, unless you're referring to NRP.

[my4helpers]

NRP is what i mean. The reason I question this is because I will be graduating in May and around here we are allowed to start applying for jobs and they will hold them until we pass the boards. Being that I am hoping to get into the NICU I am sure these certifications would look great on my resume. So I was just wondering if I could obtain these two certifications in May while I wait and take my boards in June.