CPR Certification

I am a new LPN and my CPR certification expired October 17, 2008...my facility sent me a notice in Sept to sign up for one of their in-house training sessions which I did...when I showed up, found out that the instructor had cancelled. I immediately went to the Nurse Manager (freaking out) and asked if I should go the Red Cross for recert and she advised me not to worry about it--that I could actually go 30 days over my expiration date and still be able to take the recertification as opposed to the entire eight hour training. I was scheduled for another class earlier this month and they called me the day before and advised that the class had been cancelled and they would let me know when the next class is available "but don't worry we'll get you in class soon". My question is this...they KNOW that I am not currently CPR certified and of course it's a requirement for all nursing staff so I do have some concerns about getting fired for being out of compliance but my real concern is whether I'm required by the BON to have current CPR cert? I am in Wisconsin and checked their website but didn't see reference to this. If anyone knows I would really appreciate your input!! Thanks!
Probably no one here can really help much. Maybe you can find out what is available that will maybe be a longer drive, but still doable. You need help in your own locality.

I've been licensed in 4 states, though not the one you mentioned. None of the states I've been licensed in mentioned CPR in their practice acts. I'd say you've got a pretty good chance that this is just a facility requirement. That being said, you still need to get the class done. Link for american heart: http://www.americanheart.org/present...tifier=3012360 You need BLS for Healthcare providers, fyi. If you click on that link, you can just type in your zip code and it will give you a list of available classes in your area. Why wait for your employer? And you can check and see if the instructor is set up to give CEU's..some are with American Heart. Card is good for two years, unlike Red Cross which I believe is good for one year (or used to be). Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. I think I will go ahead and take it on my own--the only bonus taking it at the facility was no out of pocket expense on my part plus my time was paid for...but in the long run my own peace of mind is worth more than that. Thanks again!

CPR certification is a policy imposed by the respective facility, not by the state BON. Also, CPR classes are subject to cancellation when not enough students sign up. I would advise anyone to renew at least two to three months before expiration to alleviate urgency. Also, some hospitals require that you only take certification from the American Heart Association vs. Red Cross. It really depends on what your facility dictates.

The $$$ thing is one of the reasons I don't charge people for anything but the card when I teach CPR...I have to pay $1 per card, so that is what I charge for teaching. I spend about $1500 every two years getting CEUs for my LPN and my paramedic...if I can help someone out, I might as well.

most states will not allow contact hours (continuing education) for CPR as it is too basic. ACLS and PALS are different. Most facilities require American Heart courses in my experience. The best advice was already given: contact AHA to find out about local courses. Ask for contact info on local training center coordinators. TCC's have lists of certified instructors. I hand out those phone numbers all the time.

I went for almost ninety days with an expired card once...the only time classes were offered were during times when I was in class for school. My educator got a little huffy with me, but that was it.

Hey:Go to www.onlineaha.org and take the online BLS course for Healthcare providers. It only costs 17.50 and then on the website you can find out who is an AHA instructor and do a skill validation. You do the course and test online and then do a skills validation with an instructor...usually costs about 20.00 or so.Good luckicu

How long did your CPR class take?

Quote from levisandteesI am a new LPN and my CPR certification expired October 17, 2008...my facility sent me a notice in Sept to sign up for one of their in-house training sessions which I did...when I showed up, found out that the instructor had cancelled. I immediately went to the Nurse Manager (freaking out) and asked if I should go the Red Cross for recert and she advised me not to worry about it--that I could actually go 30 days over my expiration date and still be able to take the recertification as opposed to the entire eight hour training. I was scheduled for another class earlier this month and they called me the day before and advised that the class had been cancelled and they would let me know when the next class is available "but don't worry we'll get you in class soon". My question is this...they KNOW that I am not currently CPR certified and of course it's a requirement for all nursing staff so I do have some concerns about getting fired for being out of compliance but my real concern is whether I'm required by the BON to have current CPR cert? I am in Wisconsin and checked their website but didn't see reference to this. If anyone knows I would really appreciate your input!! Thanks!

Quote from cheenscpr online is generally pretty fast. i did mine online but didn't receive ceu's for it. i did my acls online at www.aclscertification.com and got 12 continuing education hours for it which was awesome. if i were you i would just do the cpr online and get it over with. it honestly isn't that bad. you definitely don't want to be out of compliance and risk not being able to work. good luck!