Nursing Certifications: Understanding the Difference between ACLS, BLS, CPR, and PALS

A career in nursing is one that will require constant care for others. Naturally, in order to make sure that all nurses are prepared to act in the event of an emergency, these nurses will need to make sure they are constantly certified and in compliance with the standards set forth by their state’s medical board.

Currently, there are many types of supplementary certifications that nurses might need to apply for. ACLS, BLS, CPR, and PALS certifications all affect nurses in different ways. While pursuing basic life support (BLS) certification will be required for all nurses, these other certifications will cover different topics and will only need to be obtained on an as-needed basis.

Each of the certifications mentioned above will need to be renewed every two years. In this article, we will talk about the key differences between ACLS, BLS, CPR, and PALS certification. We will also discuss how to renew these certifications when necessary and how you also save money along the way.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

The ACLS course, according to the American Heart Association is “for healthcare professionals who either direct or participate in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest or other cardiovascular emergencies and for personnel in emergency response.” In other words, ACLS certification will be required for nurses and most other medical professionals who are frequently around patients experiencing cardiac emergencies.

Specifically, ACLS certification will be required for any nurse that is working in the intensive care unit (ICU) or with adults considered at-risk of cardiac emergencies. ACLS training will cover many of the same topics covered during BLS training (see more below), but it is important to remember that these two certifications must be obtained separately. ACLS courses will expand on BLS training and focus on subjects including the comprehensive use of AED systems, recognizing a wide array of cardiac emergencies, consistent airway management, and general teamwork/ communication.

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Basic Life Support, contrary to ACLS and other certifications, will be required for all practicing nurses, regardless of where they are currently employed or what type of work they currently do. The AHA claims the “BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give-high quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations and provide early use of an AED.”

The basic life support course, while basic, is incredibly important and can potentially save people’s lives. In order to pass this course, you will need to know how to administer life-saving procedures both in the hospital and in the field (pre-hospital). You will also need to be familiar with how CPR strategies change with age (infant, child, and adult), learn about the chain of survival, and learn how to administer several other skills.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

CPR is used to help “restart” a person’s heart in the event of a cardiac emergency. CPR is a very important and commonly needed skill, which is why it is something that seemingly all medical professionals (both nurses and non-nurses) will want to be familiar with. However, it is important to note that most nurses do not need to specifically apply for CPR certification. CPR is already covered in the basic life support course, meaning that BLS certification is all that you will need in order to work. However, because the certification requirements can vary by employer, it will be important to check and see if any supplementary courses are required.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Pediatric Advanced Life Support training is designed specifically for nurses and other medical professionals who will be responsible for responding to cardiac emergencies affecting infants and children. Like the other certification exams, the PALS exam is a multiple-choice exam. However, the score required to pass is usually a little bit higher (about 84 percent, rather than 75 or 80 percent).

The PALS certification course will be very similar to the ACLS and BLS courses but will spend much more time focusing on the differences between treating children and treating adults. This means you’ll need to familiarize yourself with using child ED, recognizing signs of cardiac arrest in an infant, identifying various medical risks, and other related topics.

Which certifications do I need to apply for?

If you are currently a nurse or plan on becoming a nurse, you will need to begin by obtaining basic life support certification. This certification is required for all practicing nurses, with very few exceptions.

Nurses working in the intensive care unit will need to apply for ACLS certification. Nurses working in the pediatric care unit will need to apply for PALS certification. Other individuals, such as coaches, teachers, law enforcement officers, and others, may be able to complete a stand-alone CPR course, though full BLS training is often recommended. Additional training will depend on your current state, requirements established by your employer, your nursing specialty, and various other factors.

ACLS, BLS, and PALS certifications will all need to be renewed every two years. Usually, BLS certification will be required on your first day of employment while other certifications (ACLS, PALS, etc.) will allow a brief period of time after you begin working. Recertification and, in many cases, initial certification can be completed in its multi-hour entirety online.

Conclusion - Understanding the Difference between ACLS, BLS, CPR, and PALS

Before you begin working as a nurse, be sure that you have received the additional certifications your job requires. By staying up to date with your ACLS, BLS, and/or PALS certification, you can protect yourself from legal liabilities and continue providing life-saving care to those who need it.