Should I take an ACLS course as a last semester BSN student?

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Specializes in Stroke Care - Med/Surg.

Should I take an ACLS course before my fourth and final semester of my ABSN program?

I'm especially interested in going into cardiac stepdown/telemetry floors after I graduate (maybe eventually CVICU or MICU?) and this seems to be a requirement on most floors. With the pandemic, all of our labs and clinicals got moved online. I'm worried about being perceived as a good "book-learner" without great skills, especially since I've barely had any supervised hands-on time. Would this give me an "edge"?

I know I'd have to do a lot of self-study to understand EKG rhythms as a pre-requisite for the ACLS; this is not something my nursing school has done much of. I have a spot reserved in a course but I haven't yet enrolled by paying for it. Would greatly welcome any advice!!

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I am wondering the same thing... How did it turn out for you? Was it a good idea as a last semester RN student?

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Specializes in Stroke Care - Med/Surg.
On 8/11/2020 at 5:54 PM, RhandaH said:

I am wondering the same thing... How did it turn out for you? Was it a good idea as a last semester RN student?

I passed! However, I did spent significant time and energy doing self study on the EKG rhythms. Those are pretty essential, because the rhythm guides what algorithm you follow to treat the patient. I had a great instructor and did the two-day in person course.

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