I have taken on site ACLS since 1986??? How many years does it take to to know what you are suppose to do it's only the new info you need to worry about. And I passed it each time.
I also have taken the BLS each time too??? Yup I can do my compression the right way!!! Anyway that is my 2 bits!!!
Who care's, if you work in a "busy" er it doesnt matter where you buy your acls recertification, if you find online certification inapropriate, then i suggest you get a job in a bigger er where als is a repetitive thing, and after your third code med in one night you will be saying to yourself the hell with this, and by golly i dont intubate anyway, remember your a nurse not physician, and when you do get to intubate its purely for pleasure because the md has a worse attitude than you do.
I think online re-certification is okay....I did it with PALS. I work in a busy ER, in the trauma room, and it's okay to refresh your memory on the computer. If you ever work on the emergency radio base (MICN) it's all from memory anyway...so you have to commit the stuff to memory no matter what. I haven't intubated a patient yet - docs won't let you close.
I don't think they will let you do ACLS online for the first time, will they?
Where is this website? Anyone got a link? Is it free? I need a recert and my institution wont pay. I have been taking it as well since 1986, as far as I know, the "hands on" is still done the same way. My 2 cents too.
I think it is fine for recerts. I have been taking ACLS for 10 years and work in ER's all over the US. I know what I am doing and sitting in a class for 6 or more hours doesn't make me any better. But most hospitals do not accept the one line recerts. Everyone needs to take the class once but after that its all the same.
I've been ACLS/PALS certified for nearly twenty years and obviously, long before the internet, had to sit all weekend to renew every to two years. What a pain. A few years ago I decided to take an online course. I had my nurse manager look it over first. The course was pretty thorough but I was stuck on the stupid computer for hours trying to complete it. The entire thing had to be done sitting there. Not much better than going to class (other than not having to shower and dress) This year I tried a different site, www.cprtrainingfast.com and it was much better. I printed the prep materials, printed the test and worked on it between patients. The ONLY thing i had to do on the computer was punch in my answers which only took me a couple minutes. I got my card that same day, too. The card looks like any other ACLS card and doesn't say anything about being "onliine." Was a little worried my manager wouldnt accept the card but to my surprise, she had taken her renewal course with the same company!
I have read this thread and are wondering where you are getting your info from? The American Heart Association has had a computerized Certification AND re-certification program for several years now. You take the first part on your computer and you perform the HANDS ON part on either a VAM or with a AHA ACLS INSTRUCTOR. Then and only then do you receive your AHA wallet card. It's called HeartCode ACLS. Don't be spreading rumours. The truth is that this method is HARDER and a lot less forgiving then the traditional "watch a video and walk along with 20 other people perform cpr on a sponge manikin!" class that you guys say are the "right" way to do it. You can't fool a computerized manikin, it's either right or wrong, not mearly "good enough". If you have never heard of this program than the training center you are going to isn't telling you everything. Go to www.cardiocert.com and click on About eLearning and see what THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION SAYS ABOUT IT!!!
The truth is a fact, not an opionion....
I haven't done only either. Thanks for site. Will check it out.
ER-RN
It is alright to get tired, but, never give up."
Proud Grancama!
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