There's a web site that's offering ACLS recertification online. Think about that.... no hands on stations, nobody to check that the person does things right... just do the multiple choice test part online & get a certification card.
I wouldn't want a person who did it that way intubating me! What do you guys think about it? Would you rather the person working beside you in the ER (or in ICU) actually demonstrated he/she had the knowledge and the skills or would you feel good about them doing it that way?
I was looking for some ACLS instructor materials recommended by the AHA. There was a computer program where you could test at home. I DONT THINK SO. I was glad to see the format change to a teaching format vs. scare the pants off you format. We still need that one on one interaction that we can learn from. Also, some people may have some one else do it for them. AHHH Think there may be a dishonest nurse out there.
I think ACLS and PALS computer programs that help you learn to manage patient scenarios and teach you how to read ecg's and learn the algorhythms and drug protocols are great- not just because I offer them on Medi-Smart... but one that lets you do the test at home?? No way do I want a doctor or nurse who got certified that way working on me!
I guess they can do it cos it's not considered certification...it's just passing the class.
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.
I've renewed ACLS online before. I didn't find it all problematic. Once you've learned the skills I see no reason why renewing it every two years online would be a problem. The only thing new is "updates" that you have to keep track of. An ACLS course - a 16 hour course - isn't really the venue to learn EKG interpretation, ET intubation, or other preocedures anyway. I'll be renewing mine online this year.
The courses I've seen offered online still required an in person checkoff of skills before getting the card. I didn't know there were some where you didn't have to do a skills checkoff. Interesting.
That is not an "online certification." An online certification is simply that, a course that leads to certification without any hands on skill test. The AHA does not even consider Heartcode an online course, they consider it "blended learning." Blended learning means a CD-ROM for cognitive (even that is not "online") followed with a skills test. And that's the facts, Jack! I have been an AHA instructor for BCLS and ACLS for more than a decade and have currec instructor status. I know the "truth."
Quite frankly, doing the course "online" offered the same cognitive information and was much easier for a seasoned professional to recertify with. I used two different sites, the last being
Online ACLS and PALS Courses which was the one I preferred.
ahatruth wrote: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....
When I renewed my ACLS last month, a lady came in to do her hands on after she had done the part online.
Since you can not do all online, I much rather do all in a class setting.
I think for experienced clinicians who have previously been on site certified and frequently use ACLS in their practice (ER MD an RN, ICU, Anesthesia etc.) on line recertification is a great option. After all people are getting graduate degrees online
I am an American Heart Association instructor, and I must say that AHA has taken the proper measures in offering the online ACLS option, it still requires an instructor checkoff. However, in the ideal world a student would attend the class in person rather than online. Furthermore, with regard to experienced providers vs initial acls participants, the AHA has designated ACLS-EP, which is the renewal courses for the experienced provider.
ACLS-EP
ACLS-EP
Heartcode ACLS
HeartCode ACLSThanks for your reply. I have found out my hospital accepts online re certification and
ACLS Recertification Services appears to give a good review. I average one code for each of my calls and have intubated 15000 patients so this is a great alternative.
When I was in Paramedic school, we had to do a surgical rotation to get the proper intubation experience required to take the NREMT-P exam. I remember being so nervous on my first intubation, and now it comes naturally. Practice does make perfect.
I think it's probably a good resource if you actually check out the credentials of the company you are taking the online course with. There are a couple that have been a round for a long time. There is a new one that popped up by the name of
ACLS Recertification Services that is actually some college kid's school project! Not sure if that is the route to take but it seems like with the right company, it suits the need.
I saw that one, too. This is the site of the student who put the site up
Michael Nulty. Is this company actually accredited by anyone?
nursecohen wrote:I saw that one, too. This is the site of the student who put the site up Michael Nulty. Is this company actually accredited by anyone?
NO! It is NOT accredited by the American Heart Association. If you go to the site & click to view a copy of the card you will receive, it is NOT an AHA ACLS card.
cali510 wrote:The courses I've seen offered online still required an in person checkoff of skills before getting the card. I didn't know there were some where you didn't have to do a skills checkoff. Interesting.
I did
Online ACLS and PALS Courses which had no skills check
