Hello again everyone. I'm going to formally introduce myself before I go on asking more questions. I'm 25,live in PA, and am currently a widowed mother of 5 wonderful children (4 girls & 1 boy... all in a row, and not like ducks either...lol).
I recently enrolled in an Associates degree program of nursing, with my final goal of obtaining a master's degree, and becoming a nurse practioner with a specialty in pediatrics.
In my research however, I had come across the following certifications of ACLS/PALS and CEN, and had wanted to know when these certifications are usually obtained. Are they standard in the curriculum or do they require additional courses?
Thanks so much for the replys. I hope I'm not being to much of a nag. :frustrated:
ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) & PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) are usually not covered in Nursing School. Most employers will put you through the 2-day course for each at the beginning of your employment. BLS (Basic Life Support/CPR) should be covered in Nursing school before you begin clinicals. CEN is a Certified Emergency Nurse- something you won't need if you are going into Pediatrics. CEN is an exam generally only taken by ER Nurses. Many Pediatric units will only require you to have BLS & PALS, and won't require you to have ACLS- check with your unit manager once you have graduated & accepted a job.
FYI, I believe a CEN requires you to work in an ER setting for two years before you can test for and get your CEN.
BLS (basic life support - or CPR) for healthcare workers and ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) can be taken now if you want to. I think that anyone off the street can get these certifications. Show them the money and they'll let you into the class. At least that was my experience. You will be taught CPR for HCP while in school so don't waste your money doing that. Oh yeah, you have to have your CPR for HCW cert before you can do ACLS. Believe it or not, I was an American Heart Association Instructor/Trainer when I was 18 - which was about 26 years ago (ouch!!).
By the way, I REALLY admire you for going to school to become an RN with FIVE kids to take care of. There were other students in my class who had families and I just don't know how they did it.
I could barely take care of myself let alone go to school. lol
:luck:
Well- your questions have been answered...but I just wanted to wish you good luck!
It's HARD with kids..but you can do it...just keep plugging away. I just got my associates in nursing...and had twins in the middle of it. I have 3 kids now under 5. It took me 4 years to do..but I DID it. I plan to take a few years off and go back again for my BSN...and eventually my masters.
ACLS is now a 1 day course and I wouldn't take it unless you've already got experience....I haven't seen students or people off the street mostly nurses a few docs and EMTs
