ACLS Practice – Skills

Last updated on April 6th, 2022 at 12:43 pm

What is ACLS Certification for Nursing?

Nurses who work in critical, urgent, or emergency care units are required to be ACLS certified. Other nursing positions where cardiac-related emergencies are common, such as senior care facilities, also typically require ACLS certification. RNs and LPNs are required to be certified and familiar with ACLS protocol since they work with patients who have cardiovascular disease on a routine basis.

In the nursing field, ACLS is used as a means of facilitating advanced life support during clinical emergencies. Since nurses spend more time with their patients than most physicians, they create a substantial bond, and they act as first responders when their patient is experiencing a medical emergency.

Within their own specialties, all nurses take care of patients during emergencies. However, nurses who work in emergency rooms use ACLS training the most, since cardiac-related emergencies are sent to ERs and urgent care centers. ACLS functions as a life support method that takes over where basic life support ends by certifying a medical professional to manage cardiac arrest and provide initial care during life-threatening medical situations.

Nurses who are considering ACLS certification should possess the following initial skills and training:

Basic working knowledge of BLS (Basic Life Support)
Experience with resuscitation team dynamics
Basic knowledge of ACLS pharmacology
Ability to interpret ECG rhythms
Recent nursing graduates have typically acquired the prerequisites for ACLS training, and should consider pursuing certification soon after BLS training to increase their credibility while applying for hospital or senior care positions.

The Purpose of ACLS

ACLS courses are designed to enhance your life support skills while providing training in effective team dynamics and basic drug therapy. The main goal is to increase patient outcomes by sustaining life and making efforts to keep neurological function intact during cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack. ACLS optimizes resuscitation efforts by integrating the ACLS guidelines set by the AHA along with findings from recent medical research to save lives. Many experts and healthcare providers are devoted to reducing the mortality and disability rates from stroke and cardiovascular diseases, and ACLS methods are the product of this ambition.

ACLS certification is often a desired credential for employment. Many employers will provide funding for ACLS courses, so you should check with your employer when you’re considering taking an online ACLS course. The ACLS Certification Institute offers a convenient online option for certification and renewals, as well as group discounts and a variety of study materials and resources.

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