Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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. Contact Michele.

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 and LIRR.

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.

Any practitioner participating in moderate sedation is required to be certified in ACLS and BLS. For practitioners dealing with children, PALS is required.

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 also have very helpful videos on my YouTube channel.

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 2/25/2025, they might view the card as expiring on 2/25/2027, rather than at the end of the month. It’s your responsibility to be aware of your employer’s policy.

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.

You can return and repeat the class on another date, retake the entire course, and retake the exam – for no additional charge.

If you need to reschedule, please contact us as soon as possible. Many of our classes have a waiting list. We offer flexible options to help you find a class that fits your schedule. 

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.

The only part of the course that is online is the AHA Precourse Self-Assessment, which evaluates a student’s knowledge prior to the course. This assessment helps determine proficiency and identify areas that may require additional review and practice. For our courses, all other components are conducted in person with Michele, ensuring hands-on learning and personalized instruction.

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.

There is no strict dress code, but comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended for hands-on practice. Scrubs are also suitable if you’re coming from a shift or going in after our class.

When you attend a class at my home, the digital cards are issued at the end of the class. When we teach the class at your office or hospital, you will receive the digital cards the next day.

Mindfulness plays a critical role in helping nurses manage the demands of their profession while maintaining their emotional and physical well-being. Michele has seen firsthand how mindfulness techniques can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance patient care. She believes that by fostering mindfulness, nurses can build resilience, prevent burnout, and approach their work with compassion and clarity. Her passion for this topic stems from over 45 years of experience as a critical care nurse and educator, where she has witnessed the profound difference mindfulness can make in both professional and personal lives.

Mindfulness helps nurses stay present and engaged, even in high-pressure situations. This not only supports better decision-making and communication but also creates a calming and empathetic environment for patients and their families. Michele’s teachings and writings on mindfulness offer nurses practical strategies to manage stress, cultivate emotional balance, and strengthen their ability to connect with patients on a deeper level. By incorporating mindfulness into their practice, nurses can enhance their professional satisfaction and provide more holistic, compassionate care.

Mindfulness for nurses involves staying fully present and engaged in each moment, whether caring for patients, communicating with colleagues, or managing personal stress. Michele emphasizes that mindfulness is not about perfection but about cultivating awareness, balance, and compassion in a nurse’s daily practice.

Mindfulness helps nurses build essential skills like emotional resilience, effective communication, and clear decision-making. Michele believes that these qualities are not only vital for personal well-being but also for advancing in leadership roles, fostering teamwork, and excelling in patient care—qualities that make mindfulness a foundation for long-term career success.