Frequently Asked Questions

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 on 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.

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.

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.

We understand the importance of continuing medical education (CME) credits for healthcare professionals, as well as the frequent questions about whether CME hours are available for our classes. Below, we’ve outlined some key points to clarify what CME credits are, how they differ from AHA certifications, and why our training company does not and cannot offer CME credits.

What Are CME Credits?

• Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits are educational credits required by many healthcare professionals to maintain their licenses, certifications, or credentials.
• CME activities are designed to improve the knowledge, skills, and performance of healthcare providers, often focusing on broader medical or clinical topics rather than specific certifications.

What Are AHA Certifications?

• The American Heart Association (AHA) offers certifications such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
• These certifications validate that healthcare professionals have been trained and tested on life-saving protocols and techniques.
• AHA certifications are distinct from CME credits and serve a different purpose.

Why We Do Not Offer CME Credits

1. AHA Instructor Certification Focus

• Our training company specializes in providing high-quality AHA ACLS, BLS, and PALS courses.
• As certified AHA instructors, our role is to teach and certify students according to AHA guidelines, not to provide CME-accredited programs.

2. Accreditation Requirements

• CME credits can only be issued by organizations accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) or similar accrediting bodies.
• Our training company is not affiliated with ACCME or any other CME-accrediting body, which is why we cannot award CME credits.

3. Class Structure and Goals

• AHA certification courses are standardized to focus on resuscitation protocols and hands-on practice, rather than fulfilling the broader educational objectives required for CME credits.

4. Alternative Options for CME Credits

• Some healthcare institutions, employers, or licensing boards may allow professionals to self-report the hours spent in AHA training as part of their continuing education requirements.
• We encourage students to check directly with their accrediting body or employer to see if this is an option for them.

Claiming Class Hours Without CME Credits

• While we do not provide CME credits, students may inquire with their respective licensing or accrediting organizations to determine whether the training hours from ACLS, BLS, or PALS can be self-reported or applied toward their continuing education requirements.
• Our courses typically include certificates of completion, which may serve as documentation of your training.

Conclusion

Our mission is to deliver exceptional AHA certification training to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to save lives. While CME credits are not part of our offerings, we encourage students to explore how their participation in these courses may still fulfill professional development requirements through other pathways.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact us directly. We’re always happy to help!

"Study hours" and "classroom hours" are distinct concepts from CME credits. Here's how they relate to AHA certifications and CME credits:

Study Hours and Classroom Hours in Relation to AHA Certification

1. Classroom Hours

• Definition: These are the hours a student physically spends in an instructor-led classroom setting or hands-on skills session.
• Relevance to AHA Courses: Classroom hours are an integral part of AHA training for ACLS, BLS, and PALS. The AHA sets specific guidelines for the time required to complete these courses. These hours ensure students receive standardized training and hands-on practice.
• Documentation: After completing an AHA course, students receive a certificate that lists the course title and completion date, but it does not explicitly designate these as CME credits.

2. Study Hours

• Definition: These are the hours spent independently reviewing course materials, such as manuals, online modules, or practice tests.
• Relevance to AHA Courses: Study hours are often part of the preparation for AHA courses, especially for initial certifications or renewals. However, these hours are not tracked or certified by the AHA or our training company.
• Documentation: Study hours are self-directed and therefore cannot be formally documented or counted toward any type of credit by our training company.
  

How These Relate to CME Credits

1. CME and Classroom Hours

• For CME credit eligibility, accrediting bodies may recognize "classroom hours" as part of an approved educational activity, provided the course content meets their standards and is offered by an accredited provider.
• AHA courses are standardized and focus on certification rather than broader education goals, which is why classroom hours in these courses typically do not translate to CME credits.

2. CME and Study Hours

• CME credits are not awarded for self-directed study hours unless explicitly linked to an approved CME activity, such as a certified self-study program.
• AHA course preparation (study hours) does not qualify for CME credits because it is not an accredited CME activity.
  

Do Study Hours or Classroom Hours Have Any Value for CME Reporting?

1. In some cases, licensing boards or employers may allow healthcare professionals to self-report classroom hours from AHA training toward continuing education requirements. However:

• This depends entirely on the policies of the accrediting/licensing body.
• It is the responsibility of the individual student to verify whether classroom hours from an AHA course can be reported.
  

Conclusion

• Classroom hours are a mandatory component of AHA training but do not automatically qualify as CME credits.
• Study hours are optional for preparation and personal learning but cannot be formally tracked or accredited.
• While neither directly provides CME credits, students may inquire with their licensing or credentialing organization to determine if classroom hours from an AHA course can fulfill any continuing education requirements.
  

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 typically receive the digital cards within one to two days.

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.

At MicheleKunz.com, we are committed to providing our students, readers, and book buyers with the highest-quality resources to support their learning, growth, and professional success. To ensure you’re getting the best experience, we encourage you to purchase our books exclusively from Amazon.com. Here’s why:

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By choosing Amazon.com, you’re not just buying a book—you’re investing in the most up-to-date, high-quality resources while directly supporting the authors who create them. Thank you for your trust and support in helping us continue to share knowledge and expertise with the world.

Happy reading and learning!
Michele & Joseph