What is BCLS Certification Online Like?

[clarkbl]

I'm thinking about taking BCLS certification online and was wondering if anyone out there has taken the course before.

I'm looking for a pros and cons list mostly. My BCLS certification is about to expire and I'm looking to recertify so I'm very comfortable with how to perform CPR. I'm mostly looking for the fastest most convenient way to get the BCLS certificate since its almost impossible to find a course last minute in my area. Honestly I feel like these courses are just another check box in the bureaucracy of the healthcare system.

I've found one website that looks legitimate on the Internet. The others websites I wasn't too impressed with when I did a google search. It was www.ACLS-PALS-BLS.com/. Please let me know if you guys have tried this course for BCLS certification or found a better one.

They said that the BCLS course was the same as the BLS course. I don't know if you guys have an opinion on that but it seems like that is pretty consistent with everything else that I've been reading.

I'm also up for renewal of a couple other courses too. the one that I posted a link to actually gives a discount if you order more than one course. Anyways, my biggest concern is if your hospitals that you guys work at accepted these online certifications without any problems. The money back guarantee is a nice thing so I guess that can save me some money if I decide it isn't what I want later on but not every website offers that.

Its amazing how many options are out there. I used to think only the American Heart Association offered these courses but thats not the case at all. I don't think that hospitals and schools can actually discriminate between who you take the course as long as the curriculum is the same. There are laws against that. I'm going to write out my pros and cons list so you guys can tell me if I missed something.

Pros:

I can take the course at home.

I don't have to take a hands on test.

I can get a refund if I'm not happy with it.

the BCLS manual is free with the course.

I can take it and have my card by the end of the day.

Cons:

I haven't ever taken a BCLS certification course online so I don't know what to expect.

I don't know if I have to have a course directly from the AHA.

Thats kind of where I'm at right now. It's a pretty simple list. Feel free to keep adding to it. I'll thank you in advance for your time and input.