Required ACLS***

BecomingNursey · Jul 20, 2015

The ER that I work in requires ACLS within 6 months of hire and PALS within 1 year of hire. Most of the time it's just "required" and you have to get it within a time frame of when you get hired.

StuffedBear · Jul 20, 2015

Thank you so much. I worried that I need it to be considered...now I have more options to apply for.

bonjoe07 · Jul 20, 2015

You can call the hospital that is hiring you to give names of who they recommend for ACLS certification, you can also do part one one line and then do the skills at a facility that offers heart code

StuffedBear · Jul 20, 2015

Thank you for the tip. That sounds like a plan

FlyingScot, RN · Jul 20, 2015

You can call the hospital that is hiring you to give names of who they recommend for ACLS certification, you can also do part one one line and then do the skills at a facility that offers heart code

This is a great option but it's not recommended for a first-timer. I'm sure there are people who have done it this way but it isn't the best because you don't have the opportunity to ask questions and/or receive feedback.

bonjoe07 · Jul 20, 2015

Personally I did it this way the first time (heartcode) with no prior knowledge and I work on a telemetry unit. I think it's a good program

FlyingScot, RN · Jul 20, 2015

Personally I did it this way the first time (heartcode) with no prior knowledge and I work on a telemetry unit. I think it's a good program

I never said it wasn't a good program. I said it was a good option but not recommended for a first timer. I also said that there were probably some people who did it this way and you are apparently one of them. However, I still stand by my opinion that it's not the best option and I am no stranger to ACLS and I'm not the only experienced provider who believes this way. Not only that but it's expensive

Trauma Columnist · Jul 20, 2015

Getting back to the topic at hand, all the hospital's I've ever worked at, pay for any and all required courses. Best wishes on your job hunt

guest825264 · Jul 20, 2015

Hi! I am also a new graduate searching for work. I saw that many of the hospitals wanted ACLS certification so I went to the American Heart Association website, clicked on the tab that says CPR and ECC and then chose classroom and skills session under "find a course". It takes you to a map where you can put your zip code in and what type of class you want to take and will list the classes in your area. The ACLS class was fun and informative and now I am ACLS certified! Not that it is helping much, I am getting used to the term "Thank you for your interest....but we are looking for candidates with strong clinical experience at this time..." So best of luck to you. The ACLS class that I took cost $160 and I spent a whole day from 8am to 5pm there. We had classroom work, a skills practice and check off and then a written test. I thought it was fun.

MommaTy · Jul 20, 2015

It depends. Some will just say required while others will say required within so many months after hire. If it gives a time frame like 6 months to a year that is good. Some hospitals will pay for the certification while others wont. I would wait to see if they will pay (it cost above 200.00). The community hospital near me does pay for ACLS, but the hospital I worked at didn't pay for BLS, ACLS, or PALS.

StuffedBear · Jul 21, 2015

Thank you everyone for their input. I definitely appreciate the guidance. From the info obtained, I will wait to get my ACLS since it doesnt really increase my likelihood of employment and I do not have the money or patience now to do it. Just have to hope that future hospital I will hire me will pay for it. I will keep on searching