What does your school do....

[LMRN10]

about CPR?

I have been told by a few people that I need CPR before I actually submit my paperwork for the Nursing Program. I called the Nursing Office and this woman keeps telling me no. Now, for the past few years I recall being told in the informational class that you do need it.

So, what does your school do? Do they require it before your paperwork is due or just before you actually start the Nursing Program?

[Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN]

All of the schools I applied to require you take CPR before you start clinicals, not before you apply. I need to update my CPR annually while I am in the program.

[tookewlandy]

At my school, first you find out your accepted , and then they tell you to take the CPR class prior to starting in the Fall. Then you update it along with all of your other things for the next fall(2nd year).

[atexasnurse]

We had to have our CPR cert card 2 weeks prior to starting classes. Red Cross has classes, but the card is valid only one year. American Heart's certification is 2 years. Be sure and check that you are getting the medical personnel training and find out if you need AED as well. Good luck!

[casi, ASN, RN]

One of the programs I am planning on applying to requires CPR and I am not too sure about the other.

When it comes down to it, it never hurts to just take the class whether you need it or not to start with. I'm sure at some point in nursing school you'll need the certificate and you'll definately need it as a nurse.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

Our CPR certification depended on where we were assigned to clinicals. I figured better to be safe than sorry, so went ahead and signed up through the college's Continuing Ed program for the American Red Cross. I just got my card today and it is good for 2 years. And it IS CPR for Healthcare Workers. I think the class cost me $50. Also, some of the hospitals in our area offer it, but it MUST be for Healthcare workers.

Lucky I did that -- turns out I am assigned to the hospital that requires it!! I think it was great training regardless of whether you "need" to have it or not. As they mentioned in class, it's great to have even for your family's sake.

[goingformydream]

I will need to submit my card along with my application.

I am applying in December!!! :) C...

[mrscurtwkids4]

Mine had accepted you first. Then you had to have your physical, proof of immunizations being up-to-date, and your CPR certification, and proof of health insurance (if you choose not to get insurance through the college). The gave a deadline prior to the start of the semester to get these things in by otherwise you would not be able to attend clinicals. The college has to have copies of everyone's information to the clinical sites that we will be practicing at. My suggestion is to go ahead and get yourself into a class because they have a tendency to fill quickly, especially when it's really close to the beginning of a semester. And even though the CPR is usually good for 2 years, they still require us to get recertified annually instead. Good luck to ya!!!

[BeccaznRN, RN]

Same at my school - once you're enrolled in clinical courses, you are required to show proof of CPR. And at our school, your CPR certification CANNOT expire during the semester. If it does (like in October or March) then you have to take it at the beginning of the semester and show proof that you are certified for the entire semester before you can go to clinical.

[xomandalized]

I need it by September 15th.

[paccookie]

Our CPR certification depended on where we were assigned to clinicals. I figured better to be safe than sorry, so went ahead and signed up through the college's Continuing Ed program for the American Red Cross. I just got my card today and it is good for 2 years. And it IS CPR for Healthcare Workers. I think the class cost me $50. Also, some of the hospitals in our area offer it, but it MUST be for Healthcare workers.

Lucky I did that -- turns out I am assigned to the hospital that requires it!! I think it was great training regardless of whether you "need" to have it or not. As they mentioned in class, it's great to have even for your family's sake.

Double check with the clinical site to see which CPR they require. At my hospital, Red Cross is not acceptable. You have to take the American Heart Association class for healthcare providers. In my area, that is the standard for hospitals, although my college teaches a first aid class that includes RC CPR. Weird.

[Megsd, BSN, RN]

Yeah, some schools or hospitals are picky about what CPR classes are acceptable. Mine required Red Cross Professional Rescuer or AHA for Healthcare Professionals. I looked for classes through the Red Cross or AHA local chapters but ended up calling one of the local fire departments. Many of them offer classes available to the public for cheaper than RC or AHA (I found a clas through a FD for $40 vs. RC for $85), so you may want to try that route when it comes to getting certified.