Which ACLS course would YOU take?

nurseabc123 · May 21, 2008

I'll soon be externing in the SICU. I am required to have my ACLS cert. before starting the new position. I have two options for ACLS courses
The first course is 200 dollars from a small company(seems like MINIMUM requirments will be met)
Second course if from a very well known and respected school but cost 50 dollars more. Is the ACLS course going to be the same no matter where i take it, or will it be worth the extra 50 bucks to attend a large and respected school?
thank you for your time and opinions.

The cheaper one. Learn the material, and know it. You don't need a course for that. Plus, the real ACLS training happens on the unit!

caliotter3 · May 21, 2008

The cheaper one. Learn the material, and know it. You don't need a course for that. Plus, the real ACLS training happens on the unit!

Ditto. You will be taking the same testing to get your certificate. There might be a difference in teacher personalities and presentation to an extent, but that is it. The material is the same and you have to pass the test. So it doesn't really matter. You are the one that has to be confident enough to pass the test. The real learning happens on the job.

-MNC_RN- · May 21, 2008

I would go with the cheaper one too, with one caution: LEARN THE MATERIAL. There are many organizations that allow everyone to pass ACLS no matter what. While I'm not a fan of the make-'em-cry Mega Codes of the past, I do get discouraged by the wimpiness of some courses lately.

Yes, it is true that a code is a team effort. However, even when you have a team, you have to know your stuff enough so that no one is sitting there waiting for the instructor to help.

You can't control how other people pass the course, but you can make sure you're the best ACLS certified nurse you can be.

meandragonbrett · May 22, 2008

If your hospital requires you to have ACLS, why are they not offering the class and sending you to it? You mention working as an extern. Are you talking about a position after you pass boards or before you graduate? If you are referring to a nurse extern/intern position while still in school, there is absolutely no reason for you to pay for ACLS as it won't really do you much good as most of the stuff you won't be able to perform. I do think it IS a good idea to sit in on an ACLS class so that you can learn and be more familiar with what goes on in a code so that you can anticipate needs when the real thing occurs. If a hospital REQUIRES a certification (such as TNCC, CCRN, BLS, ACLS) for my position I am not about to pay for the course and/or certification.

suzy253, RN · May 22, 2008

My hospital offered the BLS and ACLS certification course as well.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · May 22, 2008

My hospital offered it to us for free, 2 days 8-4. Our ER Docs checked us off on the mega codes and a variety of the paramedics and ER nurses taught us the material. We offer it every year a Spring and Fall session.