Will ACLS certification increase my chances of employment?

Hi All -

This message is particularly directed at nurses whom have hired for hospitals and/or have been administrators on floors. In this economy, it has been painfully difficult for new graduates to gain employment directly out of nursing school. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I have my heart set on working at the University of New Mexico Hospital as a RN. In fact, given the abysmal state/quality/work environments/co-workers at other hospitals in the area, UNMH is the only one I anticipate will be a good job fit for me. Of course, it's also the most competitive hospital in the area to secure employment at as a new graduate (rolls eyes). Like my mother always said, "caviar tastes on a happy meal budget."

Would becoming ACLS and PACLS certified PRIOR to applying for a position, in conjunction with already having passed the NCLEX, make a difference between me as a new grad applicant for a job and the hundreds of other people competing for a handful of positions at UNMH? I would eventually like to work trauma/critical care/ICU but would be more than satisfied with a medical-surgical position: I enjoy working with the elderly and don't mind hard, back-breaking labor. My natural, intuitive interpersonal skills as a nurs(ing student) really lean toward elderly, demented, ETOH, and psych patiets (e.g., patience, kindness, patience, respect, fluidity, patience, humor, and patience).

Let me know of some other ideas that might increase a new grad's chance at gaining a sought-after position at a competitive urban hospital.

:heartbeat Bearscrubs
Obtain a volunteer position at the hospital you are interested in and network. Its often not what you know but who you know. I passed my nclex and have applied for 50+ jobs. Call the nurse recruiter and ask where they are in the hiring process for a given position. Keep applying and don't give up there is a job out there for you.

Volunteering is an excellent way to get familiar with the organization and it’s people. Follow up with any resume and application you place, persistence pays off.

What is ACLS and PACLS?

Quote from Quiet_StormWhat is ACLS and PACLS?

ACLS = Advanced Cardiac Life Support PACLS = Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support ** usually only ICU/criticial care/NICU nurses actively use these skills but it's good to know them anyhow - makes BLS skills look like stuff you'd find in a first-grade reader

Will it help? It certainly won't hurt! But as other posters have said, don't rely on your resume and certifications alone to get you a job. You need to be proactive in your search and go out of your way to make yourself known to the employers.It used to be that employers would pay for you to get these certifications...but with the economy being so bad, a candidate with ACLS looks a lot more appealing than one that they'd have to send for training. Plus you should be able to write the cost off on your taxes as being something necessary for work. So if you can afford it, do it. I like your attitude about the elderly, demented, ETOH and psych patients. You definitely need patience and a sense of humor to work with those populations

hands, down yes

Some of my classmates got interviews in the emergency department for a new grad program, and they had ACLS certification. I think it was definitely a positive factor in that situation.If you can afford it, it certainly can't hurt!

If you want to work with the elderly, I don't think you should bother with PALS.I agree with Meriwhen; it won't hurt, but I wouldn't rely on it. If you can afford it, ACLS would be a good learning experience.

Quote from bearscrubs75ACLS = Advanced Cardiac Life Support PACLS = Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support ** usually only ICU/criticial care/NICU nurses actively use these skills but it's good to know them anyhow - makes BLS skills look like stuff you'd find in a first-grade reader

I'm not dissing BLS, but I still stand by the analogy BLS = pre-algebra and ACLS = calculus

I agree with the previous poster----without excellent BLS there will be no ACLS.