subject: New Nurses Need ACLS Certification [print this page] New Nurses Need ACLS Certification New Nurses Need ACLS Certification
The ACLS provider class is essential for new nursing graduates who want to be competitive in the market place. It is now a common requirement to have ACLS certification when employed within a health care system. Federal requirements uphold the basic idea that a code should be managed properly in a hospital environment. Rightfully so, if there is anywhere in the world that a code should be managed correctly it is in the hospital. In addition, the hospital is the most frequent place where codes' occur.
As a new RN, showing up to your interview without your ACLS certification is like showing up in your slippers. Not a good idea if you want to leave a professional impression to those conducting the interview. If you are a new nurse or close to graduating and have not yet taken the ACLS provider course then you may want to seriously consider signing up for a class right away. It is a two day course that will prepare you to help manage life threatening emergencies often referred to as a "code" or "code blue". You certainly wouldn't want to be the one scratching your head in the middle of crises at your facility.
The ACLS provider course is a two day course that covers a variety of related topics.
Basic Life Support
Airway Management
Cardiac Arrhythmias - ECG/EKG Recognition
Electrical Therapies
Intravenous Access
Medication Administration
Acute Coronary Syndromes
Stroke Recognition and Management
As a nursing student you know that some of these topics are only briefly covered in nursing school. Taking an ACLS course gives you the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals who not only teach the material but have extensive experience in emergency care. Although you may not be considering a career in emergency care, being prepared to handle emergencies in a health care setting is a very important part of being professionally prepared.
