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Submitted by 50 States Staffing on Thu, 12/15/2016 - 17:29

What Medical Surgical RNs Should Know About ACLS Certification

ACLS Certification

Advanced Cardiac Life Support training is on every healthcare employer’s wish list—especially when hospitals evaluate critical care and Med/Surg job candidates. The more certifications a med/surg registered nurse has, the easier it is to place him or her; and that’s a story with a happy ending, considering that ACLS training increases a cardiac patient’s survival rate by over 6% when ACLS is used, rather than conventional CPR.

8 Things to Know About ACLS Training

These are several things to consider about ACLS training for RNs in the process of certification or re-certification.

  • ACLS certification builds on what is learned in BLS (basic life support) training. Therefore, you must first master BLS (Basic Life Support) training before getting started.
  • Current ACLS Skills reflect key changes set by AHA: the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.
  • ACLS Certification requires approximately 10-12 hours to complete, including skills practice and skills testing. Renewal Course requires approximately 5-6 hours, including skills practice and skills testing.
  • Additional Certifications: If you work in a family practice or emergency department where patients of all ages are seen, certification in both ACLS and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification may be required.
  • It is possible to get ACLS certified and re-certified online; in addition to ACLS, many healthcare staffing agencies encourage members of their team to look to the American Heart Association (AHA) when it’s time to re-certify. The AHA has made it easier to maintain your certifications by making the re-certification class only 1 day, IF you re-certify before your current card expires.
  • ACLS Most Basic Skills include airway management, effective chest compressions, use of a bag-mask device and use of an (AED).
  • ACLS Early Management Skills: include recognition and early management of respiratory and cardiac arrest, and early management of peri-arrest conditions, acute coronary syndromes and stroke.
  • ACLS is highly beneficial for critical care nurses because it helps them more effectively communicate as a member and leader of their resuscitation teams

We Support Nurses Who Commit to Patient Safety and Higher Quality of Care

In healthcare, it’s essential that nurses continue to broaden and deepen their knowledge; this is especially true when it comes to skills that improve patient safety, and stay in-line with Medicare initiatives.

Getting certified in ACLS shows motivation and the willingness to expand one’s expertise in their field, and comes highly recommended for recent nursing graduates looking to catch the eye of potential employers. Call 1-800-996-2206 or apply online today to find openings in nursing and therapy jobs in America’s best hospitals, where first responders, critical care and med/surg nurses continue to raise the bar for what’s possible in medicine.

Footnote: Information used in this blog post was gleaned from the American Heart Association and ACLSCertification.com.