BLS and ACLS classes for healthcare providers offer the skills, knowledge, and certificates that ER and other healthcare providers require to best serve their patients. The BLS and ACLS certificates are critical in nursing because these skills help protect patients from harm. While they may share similarities, the two certifications aren’t the same. This article will explore BLS vs. ACLS certification—what is the difference? It also provides an overview of each certification and how it can benefit your career.
BLS
Basic life support (BLS) is a certification for healthcare providers who want to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency care, including the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs. The BLS certificate is the first level of certification and is valid for two years.
ACLS
Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) is a more advanced certification that builds on BLS skills. ACLS trains healthcare providers to recognize and respond to cardiovascular emergencies, including cardiac arrest. The ACLS certificate is valid for two years.
Which Certification Should You Get?
The BLS certificate is the first level of certification and is an excellent place to start if you are new to healthcare or do not have much experience in emergency care. If you want more advanced training, the ACLS certificate would be a better choice. Keep in mind that both certificates are valid for two years, so you can always get the ACLS certification in the future.
The BLS and ACLS certificates are essential in nursing because they help protect patients from harm. The BLS certificate is an excellent place to start if you are new to healthcare or do not have much experience in emergency care. The ACLS certificate is more advanced and provides training in responding to cardiovascular emergencies, including cardiac arrest. If you are a healthcare professional, it is essential to be familiar with both certificates so that you can provide the best possible care to your patients.
Conclusions
When seeking to understand the differences in BLS vs. ACLS certification, it’s important to consider cost. The cost of the BLS and ACLS certificates varies depending on the provider. Some providers offer online courses, while others require attending an in-person class. The American Heart Association provides both online and in-person courses, and the cost for each type is different.
So which certification should you get? Pursue a BLS certificate if you’re just starting out and need to acquire more hours in emergency care. For more experienced emergency care personnel, look into getting ACLS certified for more intense and specific life support training. Both certificates remain valid for over two years. This leaves the door open to BLS certified folks to earn the ACLS later on when they have more experience under their belt.
