Will ACLS certification increase my chances of employment?

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Hi All -

This message is particularly directed at nurses whom have hired for hospitals and/or have been administrators on floors. In this economy, it has been painfully difficult for new graduates to gain employment directly out of nursing school. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I have my heart set on working at the University of New Mexico Hospital as a RN. In fact, given the abysmal state/quality/work environments/co-workers at other hospitals in the area, UNMH is the only one I anticipate will be a good job fit for me. Of course, it's also the most competitive hospital in the area to secure employment at as a new graduate (rolls eyes). Like my mother always said, "caviar tastes on a happy meal budget."

Would becoming ACLS and PACLS certified PRIOR to applying for a position, in conjunction with already having passed the NCLEX, make a difference between me as a new grad applicant for a job and the hundreds of other people competing for a handful of positions at UNMH? I would eventually like to work trauma/critical care/ICU but would be more than satisfied with a medical-surgical position: I enjoy working with the elderly and don't mind hard, back-breaking labor. My natural, intuitive interpersonal skills as a nurs(ing student) really lean toward elderly, demented, ETOH, and psych patiets (e.g., patience, kindness, patience, respect, fluidity, patience, humor, and patience).

Let me know of some other ideas that might increase a new grad's chance at gaining a sought-after position at a competitive urban hospital.

:heartbeat Bearscrubs

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro/Trauma.

Obtain a volunteer position at the hospital you are interested in and network. Its often not what you know but who you know. I passed my nclex and have applied for 50+ jobs. Call the nurse recruiter and ask where they are in the hiring process for a given position. Keep applying and don't give up there is a job out there for you.

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Specializes in RRT 13+ years, CVICU, STICU.

Volunteering is an excellent way to get familiar with the organization and it’s people. Follow up with any resume and application you place, persistence pays off.

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Specializes in LTC.

What is ACLS and PACLS?

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What is ACLS and PACLS?

advanced cardiac life support & pediatric advanced life support.

Yes it will probably help if you only plan to apply online. Your certs vs new grad without certs would probably move you towards the top of the pile.

But nothing will help so much as getting your face out there! start networking while you are still in school, hand deliver your resume to nurse managers and be sure to follow up! I was recently on the job hunt. I applied online for 4 positions, all i got back was an email from HR saying my application would be forwarded to the hiring managers. so i went and spoke with a few nurse managers. within a week i had calls to come in for 2 interviews (for jobs i hadnt even applied to online, all they had was my resume) and offered both positions.

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ACLS = Advanced Cardiac Life Support

PACLS = Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support

** usually only ICU/criticial care/NICU nurses actively use these skills but it's good to know them anyhow - makes BLS skills look like stuff you'd find in a first-grade reader

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Will it help? It certainly won't hurt! But as other posters have said, don't rely on your resume and certifications alone to get you a job. You need to be proactive in your search and go out of your way to make yourself known to the employers.

It used to be that employers would pay for you to get these certifications...but with the economy being so bad, a candidate with ACLS looks a lot more appealing than one that they'd have to send for training. Plus you should be able to write the cost off on your taxes as being something necessary for work. So if you can afford it, do it.

I like your attitude about the elderly, demented, ETOH and psych patients. You definitely need patience and a sense of humor to work with those populations ;)

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hands, down yes

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Some of my classmates got interviews in the emergency department for a new grad program, and they had ACLS certification. I think it was definitely a positive factor in that situation.

If you can afford it, it certainly can't hurt!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

If you want to work with the elderly, I don't think you should bother with PALS.

I agree with Meriwhen; it won't hurt, but I wouldn't rely on it. If you can afford it, ACLS would be a good learning experience.

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Specializes in Emergency.
ACLS = Advanced Cardiac Life Support

PACLS = Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support

** usually only ICU/criticial care/NICU nurses actively use these skills but it's good to know them anyhow - makes BLS skills look like stuff you'd find in a first-grade reader

mmmmmm, in the ER we use acls on a daily basis and pals less frequently, more during the summer.

BLS is the foundation of ACLS. And the focus in cardiac arrest is quick and competent CPR. BLS=CPR. Don't dis BLS.

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I'm not dissing BLS, but I still stand by the analogy BLS = pre-algebra and ACLS = calculus

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