Improving Transition to Practice: Integration of Advanced Cardiac Life Support Into a Baccalaureate Nursing Program

Nursing students often lack the skills and confidence to intervene in the care of a deteriorating patient as they transition into clinical practice. Exposure to these situations is limited during their academic career. Our team sought to address this by embedding American Heart Association (AHA) advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) content into the curriculum and offering certification to senior-level students.

The senior skills course was redesigned to include education on current AHA ACLS guidelines and skills. ACLS algorithms were introduced and reinforced by mock code labs utilizing rapid cycle deliberate practice and interprofessional simulation. After completion of the semester, students were given the option to be ACLS certified.

Students and stakeholders reported positively on the ability to certify in ACLS at our institution prior to graduation and reported increased confidence in their ability to manage patients with cardiopulmonary arrest.

Providing simulated experiences for these clinical situations can reportedly increase confidence and improve preparedness in senior-level BSN students. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(3):182-184.].