Michele and Joe in a sim lab training classroom.
When should I start taking ACLS, BLS, and PALS?
Many schools may offer BLS as part of the curriculum. Usually, nursing schools require BLS before starting the clinical portion of your studies. However, you will need BLS certification when applying for a nursing position for an internship or after graduating.
The advanced courses, such as ACLS and PALS, look good on your resume but are not usually required to get hired. If you are looking for an entry position in a critical care area, ACLS is generally required.
Who Can Attend My Classes?
Our specialized courses are designed exclusively for healthcare professionals committed to expanding their medical knowledge and skills. Here’s who can benefit from attending:
1. Licensed Medical Professionals: Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, or specialist, our courses offer advanced insights and practical skills that can directly enhance your clinical practice.
2. Nursing and Medical Students: If you’re currently enrolled in a medical or nursing program and looking to get ahead, our classes provide valuable exposure to real-world applications of your ongoing studies.
3. Allied Health Professionals: This includes professionals such as physical therapists, radiologists, lab technicians, and any other healthcare workers involved in direct patient care. Our courses are tailored to broaden your understanding and efficiency in the healthcare setting.
How can I enroll in your classes?
1. Location: Our classes are held exclusively in Long Island, NY.
2. Eligibility: Enrollment is only open to licensed medical professionals and medical/nursing students.
3. Scheduling: Classes fill quickly, often 3 to 4 months in advance. Early registration is strongly recommended.
4. Reminders: We no longer send reminder postcards. Instead, we now connect through a monthly email to everyone on our mailing list, as a way of staying in touch with you. If you’re not receiving these emails, sign up for our email list now.
In each message, I strive to offer valuable nursing and medical insights that are important to your practice, share words of encouragement as we navigate this healthcare journey together, and occasionally highlight one of my books or other resources that I believe may support you in your professional growth.
Will you come to our office to teach ACLS, BLS, and PALS?
Yes. If your office or hospital is in Nassau or Suffolk County and some parts of Queens, we can come to your office or hospital. Email or call me about what classes you need and how many will be in the class. Although we no longer travel to Brooklyn, Manhattan, or Westchester, we are located only a short distance south of the LIE.
Call/email me to discuss dates, times, and prices.
See my brochure for additional information.
Do I need to complete BLS before taking ACLS or PALS?
AHA does not require BLS certification before taking ACLS or PALS. Usually, the hospital or facility where you work will require BLS as a minimum requirement to keep your job. An EKG class would certainly facilitate success in an ACLS program.
Do physicians need to complete ACLS, BLS, or PALS?
Any practitioner participating in moderate sedation is required to be certified in ACLS and BLS. For practitioners dealing with children, PALS is required.
How long are my AHA certification cards valid?
The ACLS, BLS, and PALS certification cards are valid for 24 months. For example, if you take a class in February 2025, your card will expire on the last day of February 2027. However, it’s important to check with your employer about the specific expiration date they recognize. Some employers may consider the card expired exactly two years from the date you took the class. For instance, if your class was on 2/25/2024, they might view the card as expiring on 2/25/2026, rather than at the end of the month. It’s your responsibility to be aware of your employer’s policy.
Joe and Michele with their “ACLS Q&A With Explanations” certification exam prep book, on display at the IBPA booth, at the Book Expo at the Javitz Center, in NYC.
I lost my card. Can I get another one?
Yes. All cards are now e-cards and are emailed directly to you. You can access your AHA online account anytime and print or download your e-cards.
What if I fail any part of the program?
You can return and repeat the class on another date, retake the entire course, and retake the exam – for no additional charge.
I haven’t taken an ACLS class in many years, and now my hospital requires certification. What should I study before taking your class?
For the ACLS class, I recommend you to study ECGs/EKGs. I suggest you read the AHA textbook for ACLS. The AHA provides an excellent website for students. Many good videos on YouTube are beneficial. You can also email me with any other ACLS and ECG/EKG questions about something you don’t understand.
I, too, would like to become a nursing teacher or continuing education instructor. Any advice?
Yes. You should strive to become THE expert in your unit/office in your particular subject area. Learn to teach by teaching the other nurses in your unit/hospital/office. Teaching is just like anything else; you must practice it by doing it. Develop a subject outline and study guide for the subject you want to teach.
Developing this outline and guide will force you to learn and understand your subject’s intricacies. The outline and guide will also impress the other nurses and help with your credibility. Contact-hour programs offer applications at national and state-specific websites such as NYSNA and AACN. There are fees involved.
Where do I find the ECC updated guidelines?
New guidelines come out every five years. If you are on my email list, you will get an email from me with the links to the AHA updates as they come out. Any medical provider can email me, and I will add you to my email list.
Testimonial
I have taken Michele’s classes in the past and returned to take her ACLS class again. Her class was informative, timely, and very pertinent.”
Barbara Kusky, RN, Bay Pines VA Hospital, Bay Pines, FL
