Question about ACLS cert....

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2012

Even if you get your ACLS certification, you would still need to renew your BCLS for healthcare workers.

At least that's how it is in every nursing job I've ever held.

libra.rn · Feb 19, 2012

Does ACLS cert expire?? And how long is the class?

churchsgirl · Feb 19, 2012

I'm having a hard time finding a place that does ACLS that is not online. The one place that I did find does not do them anymore, but their website said that the class was a total of 12.5hrs over two days.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2012

Does ACLS cert expire?? And how long is the class?

They expire every 2 years. The first time you take ACLS, it may be a 2 day class. When you are simply renewing, it takes several hours on one day.

I've never done ACLS online and would not want to do so either. So I can't address the online experience in terms of how long it takes.

caliotter3 · Feb 19, 2012

The provider of my ACLS course used to give out the BLS card along with the ACLS card, but a few years ago they stopped that practice and came out with the policy that one had to pay for, and attend, separate courses for the separate cards. I do not remember if that was only their policy or if it was across the board for all providers. I would call and ask the provider before you attend because you have to have a current BLS card for the ACLS course.

klone, MSN, RN · Feb 19, 2012

Where I work, they combine ACLS and BLS into the same class, so you should look into that. Two different cards, but it's done at the same time. Also, for BLS, you can do the classroom portion through AHA online, then just go in and do the skills portion in person and it takes about 20 minutes (of course, your facility has to be set up to offer it, but if they do, it's really nice).