Which ACLS, PALS, or NRP Course Is Right For Me?

Over 250,000 people die from an out-of-hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest every year. Death from Sudden Cardiac Arrest is preventable!

I am interested in learning advanced life support techniques beyond CPR. Which course should I take?

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

Designed for: This course is for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in the resuscitation of a patient, whether in or out of hospital. This includes emergency, intensive care, or critical care healthcare providers such as physicians, nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and other professionals who may need to respond to a cardiovascular emergency.

Content: The American Heart Association's Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support course is totally redesigned to incorporate new science evidence from the 2005 Guidelines and a new teaching methodology. Through the ACLS course, providers will enhance their skills in the treatment of the adult victim of a cardiac arrest or other cardiopulmonary emergencies. ACLS emphasizes the importance of basic life support CPR to patient survival; the integration of effective basic life support with advanced cardiovascular life support interventions; and the importance of effective team interaction and communication during resuscitation.

ACLS is based on simulated clinical scenarios that encourage active, hands-on participation through learning stations where students will practice essential skills individually, as part of a team, and as team leader. Realistic simulations reinforce the following key concepts: proficiency in basic life support care; recognizing and initiating early management of peri-arrest conditions; managing cardiac arrest; identifying and treating ischemic chest pain and acute coronary syndromes; recognizing other life-threatening clinical situations (such as stroke) and providing initial care; ACLS algorithms; and effective resuscitation team dynamics.

Length: with a 6:1 instructor-student ratio:

• New/Renewal Course = Approximately 13.5 hours (including breaks)
• Renewal Course = Approximately 9 hours (including breaks)
• 7-Easy Pieces = Approximately 28 hours (including breaks)

CE credits: Continuing Education credits are available via Montana Nurses Association for nurses completing a Community Medical Center Education Resources scheduled courses. Credit amount dependent on course. Please see specific course page for details.

Materials: Provider Manual (including CD, pre-course checklist, reference card set); Optional (highly recommended): ECC Handbook. Note: Additional ECG text required for 7-Easy Pieces at Community Medical Center.

Certification: This is a 2-year certification. Successful completion of the skills and written test is required for certification. Cards will be mailed within 30 days of successful completion of the course.

Renewal vs. New/Renewal vs. 7-Easy Pieces Provider Course:

The New Provider/Renewal course is for those experienced healthcare providers who have never taken ACLS or are renewing their current certification and would like a longer class with more review and practice time. This class is longer than the renewal course and includes more review and practice time. Successful completion of the skills and written test is required for certification. Please note the following:

• Pre-course preparation is required
• This course expects students have a current Healthcare Provider CPR certification, have reviewed the 2005 ECC/AHA Guidelines, and have reviewed all pre-course materials in their provider manual and CD (i.e. pharmacology, ECG, case scenarios, etc.)
• Additional pre-course requirements (i.e. rhythm test) may be required as per the training center conducting the course

The 7-Easy Pieces provider course is for those healthcare providers who have never taken ACLS. This class is conducted in 7 separate sessions and includes more review and practice time, including more time for ECG review. Successful completion of the skills and written test is required for certification. Please note the following:

• Pre-course and during course preparation is required
• This course expects students have a current Healthcare Provider CPR certification, have reviewed the 2005 ECC/AHA Guidelines, and have reviewed all pre-course materials in their provider manual and CD (i.e. pharmacology, ECG, case scenarios, etc.)
• Additional pre-course requirements (i.e. rhythm test) may be required as per the training center conducting the course

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Experience Provider (ACLS-EP)

PLEASE NOTE: Not all Training Centers offer this course.

Designed for: The ACLS Experienced Provider Course is for seasoned ACLS providers who wish to renew their provider status such as professionals, clinicians and scientists who must frequently respond to emergency cardiovascular and special resuscitation situations in the work environment. This course is not intended for new ACLS providers.

Content: This course provides a stimulus for clinicians and scientists to identify areas in resuscitation that deal with special circumstances. This course is physician led; the ACLS-EP physician-instructor is present for the entire course. The course does not include practice or review sessions. This course does include current evidence-based advanced case/topic discussion sessions in areas such as: toxicology, obstetrics, electrolyte considerations during a megacode. Successful completion of the skills and written test is required for certification. Please note the following:

• Pre-course preparation is required
• This course expects students have a current Healthcare Provider CPR certification, will come fully prepared with their skills, have reviewed the 2005 ECC/AHA Guidelines, have reviewed all pre-course materials in their provider manual and CD (i.e. pharmacology, ECG, case scenarios, etc.) and are ready to demonstrate skills with little to no practice
• Additional pre-course requirements (i.e. rhythm test) may be required as per the training center conducting the course
• This course does not review ACS, Stroke, or learning stations for Bradycardia/Asystole/PEA, Pulseless Arrest VF/VT, or Stable/Unstable Tachycardia. It is expected that students come in ready to demonstrate megacode skills in these areas

Length: with a 6:1 instructor-student ratio:

• Approximately 9-10 hours

Materials: Provider Manual (including CD, pre-course checklist, reference card set); Optional (highly recommended): ECC Handbook, Additional materials may be required by Physician instructor.

Certification: This is a 2-year certification. Successful completion of the skills and written test is required for certification. Cards will be mailed within 30 days of successful completion of the course.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Designed for: Pediatricians, emergency physicians, family physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, paramedics, respiratory therapists and other healthcare providers who initiate and direct advanced life support in pediatric emergencies

Content: The completely redesigned American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support course is based on new science evidence from the 2005 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC and a new teaching methodology. The goal of the PALS course is to aid the pediatric healthcare provider in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to efficiently and effectively manage critically ill infants and children, resulting in improved outcomes. Skills taught include recognition and treatment of infants and children at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest; the systematic approach to pediatric assessment; effective respiratory management; defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion; intraosseous access and fluid bolus administration; and effective resuscitation team dynamics.

Length: with a 6:1 instructor-student ratio:

• New Provider Course = Approximately 14 hours (16 hours including breaks)
• Renewal Course = Approximately 9 hours (11 hours including breaks)

CE credits: Continuing Education credits are available via Montana Nurses Association for nurses completing a Community Medical Center Education Resources scheduled courses. Credit amount dependent on course. Please see specific course page for details.

Materials: Course Guide and Provider Manual (including CD, pre-course checklist, reference card set); Optional (highly recommended): ECC Handbook

Certification: This is a 2-year certification. Successful completion of the skills and written test is required for certification. Cards will be mailed within 30 days of successful completion of the course.

Renewal vs. New Provider Course:

The Renewal Course is for those experienced healthcare providers who have current PALS certification that they need to renew. Successful completion of the skills and written test is required for certification. Please note the following:

• Pre-course preparation is required
• This course expects students have a current Healthcare Provider CPR certification, will come fully prepared with their skills, have reviewed the 2005 ECC/AHA Guidelines, have reviewed all pre-course materials in their course guide, provider manual and CD and are ready to demonstrate skills with little to no practice
• This course does not include discussion or practice sessions for the Cardiac, Respiratory, or Shock Core Cases. It is expected that students come in ready to demonstrate megacode skills in these areas

The New Provider course is for those experienced healthcare providers who have never taken PALS or are renewing their current certification and would like a longer class with more review and practice time. This class is longer than the renewal course and includes more review and practice time. Successful completion of the skills and written test is required for certification. Please note the following:

• Pre-course preparation is required
• This course expects students have a current Healthcare Provider CPR certification, have reviewed the 2005 ECC/AHA Guidelines, and have reviewed all pre-course materials in their course guide, provider manual and CD

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Designed for: The NRP program is designed primarily for those who participate in neonatal resuscitation in the delivery and newborn nursery. NRP may also be useful to pre-hospital professionals and other in-hospital professionals who are involved in any aspect of neonatal resuscitation such as, physicians, nurses, advanced practice nurses, nurse midwives and respiratory care practitioners.

Content: The Neonatal Resuscitation Program is an educational program that introduces the concepts and basic skills of neonatal resuscitation. The NRP program is offered via the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Heart Association (AHA) Completion of the program does not imply that an individual has the competence to perform neonatal resuscitation. Each hospital is responsible for determining the level of competence and qualifications required for someone to assume clinical responsibility for neonatal resuscitation.

This course has been designed to teach an evidence-based approach to resuscitation of the newborn. The causes, prevention, and management of mild to severe neonatal asphyxia are carefully explained so that health professionals may develop optimal knowledge and skill in resuscitation.

Length: with a 4-6:1 instructor-student ratio:

• New Provider Course = 1 or 2 day course (dependent on the additional lessons offered to students and the hospital's requirements)
• Renewal Course = generally offered as megacode skills testing stations (at Community Medical Center, these are offered in 2 hour blocks)

CE credits: Continuing Education credits are available via Montana Nurses Association for nurses completing a Community Medical Center Education Resources scheduled courses. Credit amount dependent on course. Please see specific course page for details.

Materials: Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation, 5th Edition (includes CD)

Certification: This card is valid for two years following your course completion date. To maintain your provider status, you may complete a Provider Renewal course prior to the “Recommended Renewal Date” listed on your card. Please note: Since the Academy does not grant a grace period, if you do not renew your provider status by the “Recommended Renewal Date,” you must repeat the standard length Provider course.

Renewal vs. New Provider Course:

The Renewal Course is for those experienced NRP providers who have current NRP certification that they need to renew (see Certification above). Providers need to show proof of current NRP Provider Course Completion Card. Successful completion of the megacode skills and written test is required for certification. Please note the following (according to the AHA/AAP):

• Pre-course preparation is required
• Learners need not perform any skills checklists
• Learners require update on revised NRP materials (part of pre-course prep)
• Learners may not require supervised practice; the megacode skills testing may be conducted without practice with an instructor

The New Provider course is those who have not previously taken a NRP course or their NRP provider status has expired (see Certification above). This class is longer than the renewal course and includes more review and practice time. This course takes a step-wise approach to neonatal resuscitation. Successful completion of the megacode skills and written test is required for certification. Please note the following (according to the AHA/AAP):

• Pre-course preparation is required
• Learners perform skills checklists
• Depending on job responsibilities, participants must complete a minimum of Lessons 1 through 4 and Lesson 9
• It is recommended that persons responsible for performing a complete resuscitation (or providing direct assistance) should complete Lesson 1 through 6 and Lesson 9, and may benefit from all 9 lessons
• Learners review materials with instructor (in addition to the pre-course prep)
• Learners need ample opportunity for supervised megacode skills practice with an instructor

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