There is no doubt that as a nurse, nursing assistant, or other healthcare professional - education is incredibly important of your professionalism.
Keeping Updated Certifications is Important and Necessary
As techniques continue to change and technology evolves, it’s important to stay up to date on the changes that are going on constantly in the healthcare field. This is why it’s necessary to renew your certification(s) in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - depending on the environment in which you work and with what types of patient populations you serve. On the contrary, it may seem like this is easier said than done, right? Lucky for those in need of renewing their certifications, the American Red Cross offers training classes for each of these.
Here at the NursaTM, we know how difficult it can be sometimes for on-demand nurses to fit their life around work and hobbies. So if you’re asking yourself how to find a BLS provider, you’re already in the right place! The American Red Cross makes it incredibly easy to find and take the perfect training and renewal classes for you. Their classes are designed to save time and money and also equip healthcare workers with the latest knowledge and techniques to ensure better outcomes.
The Red Cross is the first provider of adaptive resuscitation training in the U.S. They strive to constantly evolve in techniques and adapt to the needs of their students to ensure an incredibly flexible but amazing specialized curriculum that you won’t regret taking part in. At the Red Cross, they offer a plethora of different learning options and pathways to accommodate your life and personal schedule. With fantastic in-person classes using a handful of courses along with online classes for those unable to make it in-person, you will be glad to sign up for one of these classes with the Red Cross! So don’t hesitate today, stop by their website here to read more about the classes they offer and even locate in-person classes near you!
All About BLS, What is BLS Training?
As a nurse, you may be asking yourself, “Do I need BLS certification?”. While this basic training in first aid is recommended for any person, it is required for all registered nurses (RNs) to be certified. The Red Cross offers in-person classes for BLS training that lets you learn new techniques and even sharpen the skills you already know. Their BLS courses offer information and skills regarding rapid assessment, visual survey, obstructed airways, opioid overdoses, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and more. These courses combine hands-on work with online work and accommodate for many schedules and learning styles.
All About ALS, What is ALS Training?
Furthering beyond BLS, ALS goes past the ordinary life support training and provides urgent treatment for cardiac emergencies such as cardiac arrest, stroke, myocardial infarction, and more. For RNs working in the ICU or with adults, it is required to have a certification in ALS training and with the Red Cross offering classes for ALS training as well, it won’t be difficult to get the renewal or certification you need. When enrolling in a class for ALS training, we ensure that you will learn the proper skills and techniques to provide high-quality care to those that need it.
All About PALS, What is PALS Training?
The final specialty that the Red Cross offers training in is PALS. This certification is specifically required for RNs working with pediatric patients, as PALS focuses on emergencies in infants and children. This is a more advanced course than BLS, as children and infants' bodies respond differently than adult bodies do, making it much more important to know the proper skills to assess problems in children. PALS certification courses focus on timely recognition and interventions required to prevent respiratory and cardiac arrest, systematic approach to pediatric assessment, the importance of effective communication, team dynamics, and much more.
The Importance of BLS, ALS, and PALS Classes
While not required for, every single nurse to be certified in one of these particular specialties. BLS, ALS, and PALS are all a level of medical care that is used in emergencies. These techniques can be used to help those who are choking, drowning, or suffering from cardiac arrest. All of these situations can sometimes be the bridge between life and death for some, making it even more important that people know the proper skills to help those in need. Additionally, BLS is so common in first aid that it is included in all basic first aid training courses alongside related life-saving techniques and procedures. Having this basic first aid training is not only useful for nurses but can also be critical for the everyday person, including some areas of employment such as teachers, daycare providers, and social care workers.
