ATLS and ACLS courses before residency

[surg4me]

I am getting married before residency and my program is allowing me to take the ACLS (acute cardiac) and ATLS (acute trauma) courses elsewhere...

Has anyone taken the certification course before starting residency?
Could you please instruct me on how to go about signing up for both these programs, either in CA or NY?

Are these each 1-day courses?

thanks!

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[doc05]

check with the EM dept at your home school or nearby major hospitals. ACLS is offered rather routinely, and shouldn't be a problem (I believe it's 2 days).

It may be more difficult to take an ATLS course though. Check with http://web2.facs.org/atls/existing.htm for course listings.

 

[Celiac Plexus]

I am getting married before residency and my program is allowing me to take the ACLS (acute cardiac) and ATLS (acute trauma) courses elsewhere...

Has anyone taken the certification course before starting residency?
Could you please instruct me on how to go about signing up for both these programs, either in CA or NY?

Are these each 1-day courses?

thanks!

Take these courses before you start your residency. They're both 2 day courses that swallow up 2 entire weekends. We, of course, were scheduled to take the courses during our off weekends... grr... anyway, the emergency medicine department usually runs ATLS, and i don't know who runs ACLS.

ACLS tends to be a little more laid back. ATLS has a written test, and a practical test... not hard, but you can't just show up.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Is your program also paying if you take these courses elsewhere? They are pretty expensive if you don't have the hospital paying for them.

Is your program not offering them during orientation? If so, I'd wait until then as it just swallows up the few remianing days you have before residency. As I recall ATLS was 2 days and ACLS could be done in 1.

 

[GucciMD]

I am planning just to do my ACLS and ATLS with my program, it will save more than $500.

Besides someplaces will not accept them elsewhere.

They are provided during the orientation time and they are both 2 days each the first time. If you need to renew your ACLS then it is only 1 day.

 

[Amy]

You can take the online course here. My program requires me to take it before orientation as well, and the coordinator directed me to this site (they're reimbursing me).

 

[Rony]

Most medical schools offer ACLS for a nominal fee. Actually, as part of the 4th yr curriculum, you may be able to take it with your local EMS dept. ATLS is a lot more expensive and limited in availability. Virtually all residency programs offer it free after you begin training.

My program wants a renewal of my BLS certification as well! Can you believe that?!

 

[Amy]

You can take the online course here. My program requires me to take it before orientation as well, and the coordinator directed me to this site (they're reimbursing me).

Actually, this is wrong. This course is for recertification only. To find classes near you, go to the AHA website.