How To Be A Better Nurse Thru Online Certificate Programs

Completion of an advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) course online is an excellent way to ensure your skills stay updated and relevant in the healthcare industry. While most exclusively associate ACLS with cardiac arrest, it holds value in treating major cardiovascular events, including stroke and hemorrhagic shock too. In fact, those suffering an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and receiving high‐quality care have a higher chance of survival, comparable to that of those who receive immediate ACLS in the hospital, says CPR.Heart.Org. Of course, providing high‐quality care both within and outside of the hospital is essential to saving lives; completing an online certificate, such as the program available here, is an easy, effective way to achieve this goal and enhance your skills as a nurse.

Are Nurses Required to Complete an ACLS Online Certificate

Not all health facilities require nurses to complete an ACLS course. ACLS is used for patients requiring advanced cardiac care and life support, which is where the acronym derives. For example, completing an ACLS course may be necessary for nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs) and emergency departments, reports Nurse.org.

When this level of advanced care is necessary for pediatric patients, it takes on a new acronym. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) takes the same life-saving algorithms and applies them to the anatomy and physiology of children.

Regardless of setting, all nurses must also maintain a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. This is a type of CPR that leverages informed decision-making and basic First Aid skills. In addition, those seeking to complete an ACLS course, whether it is through an online certificate program or in-person training, must possess a BLS Certification first. Most often, health facilities require nurses to obtain these certifications through an organization accredited by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR).

Nurses must have the BLS certification at a minimum prior to starting work on a unit, and those working in intensive care units may fall into two categories. Some facilities may allow nurses to take and obtain ACLS or PALS courses within a probationary period, such as three months. However, each facility has discretion over the requirements for employment, so the facility may require employees complete an ACLS course prior to employment.

How ACLS Certification Helps Save Lives

The application of skills used as part of an ACLS response saves lives. Although the acronym describes cardiac treatments and health emergencies, it also provides direction on several additional health emergencies, including:

• Management of stroke. Although stroke involves the brain, it remains a cardiovascular emergency, and it is important to remember stroke can result from any embolus within the blood vessels. Air bubbles, fatty deposits, dead cells and blood clots may lead to a stroke, and during the summer months, heatstroke also falls under the umbrella of ACLS treatment due to its impact.
• Addressing decreased cardiac output or correcting arrhythmias. Depending on the injury or trauma, a person suffering shock may experience decreased cardiac output or unusual heart rhythms, also known as an arrhythmia.
• Assessing and treating reversible causes of arrest. The basic premise of ACLS Certification goes back to addressing immediate arrest, encouraging the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and treating the reversible causes of arrest, explains the ILCOR Journal, Circulation.
• Administering medications as specified by the ACLS algorithm. Medication treatment for arrhythmia or other causes of arrest is included within the algorithm.

These key factors of the algorithm increase the chances of survival after suffering a trauma or cardiovascular event, and while saving lives remains the biggest benefit of completing a course, additional benefits follow.

Benefits of Completing an Online Certificate

Obtaining an online ACLS Certificate stands out as one of the fastest and easiest ways to increase your skill set as a nurse. Completing such courses opens the door to new career opportunities, as shown below:

• Increased employment opportunities in different work settings. Nurses with appropriate certifications may qualify for employment in higher acuity care settings, and depending on the facility, such employment may offer an increased wage compared to other floors.
• Improved confidence in one’s skills. Receiving training to respond to traumas and cardiovascular events improves a person’s confidence and skills. During an emergency, delays cost lives, so increased confidence translates into better treatment outcomes for those in your care.
• Faster and improved critical thinking skills. Not all cardiac arrests present as such, and in the hospital setting, an individual living with other health conditions could deteriorate into cardiac arrest. Recognizing the signs of cardiac arrest and immediately activating the response team requires critical thinking—evaluating what happened, what may happen, and what needs to be done to ensure survival.
• Flexible means of completing CEUs. All nurses must complete continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain licensure. The exact number of CEUs required varies by state, but numerous online resources, such as the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, can help nurses learn their renewal requirements.
• Requirements for nursing school and adding value to the application, which are also shown here. Nursing students complete clinical rotations to learn and practice their skills in the healthcare environment. Similar to health facilities, different nursing programs may require students to complete basic certifications prior to enrollment, including BLS. Those seeking admission to advanced programs of study, such as a Nurse Practitioner program, may need to complete an ACLS program prior to admission as well.

Focusing solely on the benefits of completing an online certificate compared to a traditional, in-person class creates additional advantages, including:

• The ability to work at one’s own pace, completing modules while managing other responsibilities such as school, work, and family.
• Accessing the training center from mobile devices, reducing delays and hassle in completing CEUs for employment or other purposes.
• Reviewing recent articles and publications to understand the value of advanced training and the new factors affecting care standards.
• Ongoing access to your course history, which helps individuals keep track of completed CEUs, expiry dates, and more.

Non-Work Opportunities After Getting Your ACLS

The benefits of completing online courses are not limited to professional advancement. Nurses may not realize the true and extensive benefits associated with obtaining an online certificate for ACLS, which is available here. Consider these ways an ACLS online certificate creates opportunities to save lives outside the work environment:

• Volunteerism to help areas hit by disasters or humanitarian crises.
• Community outreach programs that spread awareness.
• Learning to recognize the signs of illness, especially heat‐related illness.
• Improving survival rates for passersby experiencing an event.
• Applying completed hours toward additional degree or program requirements.
• Potentially saving the life of a family member or friend.
• Working in non‐traditional care facilities, including schools, daycare centers, and on-site clinics at major corporations.

Simples Steps to Choose an Online Certificate Course Provider

A quick search for online certificate courses for nurses pulls millions of possible options. Unfortunately, the rise of the Internet also created an opportunity for both accredited institutions and unreliable organizations to take advantage of those seeking alternatives to traditional, in-class courses. Nurses or prospective nursing students should follow a few steps to choose a reputable provider.

1. Look for an Accredited, Well-Established Provider

The biggest and most important factor in completing an online course is accreditation, such as the accreditation data shown here. While ILCOR is widely known for managing accreditation, additional organizations exist—including the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the Postgraduate Institute for Medicine, and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. If accreditation information for a provider is not readily available, move on to the next option.

2. Review Available Courses and Their Costs

After selecting your top providers, review the available courses and their costs. Some providers may offer life‐saving courses such as ACLS, CPR, First Aid, and Blood Borne Pathogens. For those needing additional CEUs, a different provider might offer a range of training scenarios, such as active shooter training, which has become a key factor in many industries. Additionally, compare the costs of each program. Although the programs are conducted online, fees may vary—some, like Advanced Medical Certification, offer a lifelong certification for a set price.

For example, students at one program pay a fee to complete the course, and when the certification nears expiration, they retake the course without incurring an additional cost.

3. Consider How Long the Certificate Remains Valid

Depending on the employer, certificates may expire more quickly than the standard two-year duration. In critical care facilities, supervisors might require more frequent renewals, and even those with established certificates may need additional in-person training to meet facility requirements. It is important to consider expiry dates set by both the organization and the employer.

4. Explore Additional Courses That May Be of Interest

Even though students and nurses may complete coursework to meet employment or licensure stipulations, course providers might offer additional classes that enhance a nurse’s skill set. For instance, Blood Borne Pathogens training can help nurses prevent cross contamination and ensure safety in the workplace.

5. Evaluate Study Guides and Aid Offered by the Company

Providers may also offer study guides, instructor-led videos, and practice exams to help students prepare. Review the provider’s website thoroughly to determine which additional resources may assist in successfully completing your courses.

6. Enroll

While the prior steps help with provider selection, enrollment is essential. If you are uncertain whether employers will accept accreditation standards from a given provider, consult your supervisor. Taking the initiative to expand your skills can make all the difference.

Take Advantage of the Far-Reaching, Personal and Professional Benefits of an Online Certificate

Nurses obtaining an online certificate for ACLS gain access to numerous career opportunities, as noted in a past blog post here. With demand among highly skilled care professionals on the rise, becoming ACLS-certified enhances candidacy for available positions in healthcare—a field projected to grow 15% before 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you currently have your ACLS online certificate, and if so, how has it impacted your personal and professional life? Share your experiences on social media and consider enrolling in your life-saving, online skills course by signing up via this link.