Get certified through the vendors hospitals actually accept — AHA, ENA, AWHONN, HealthStream. No re-do's. No rejected paperwork. No "sorry, that one doesn't count."
Most hospitals require an in-person skills check for BLS / ACLS / PALS. HeartCode does the eLearning online, then sends you to a real skills site.
If it's not from one of these, compliance will bounce it. Stick to the official links on this page.
Most cards are good for 2 years. Renew before expiration or you'll be pulled off the schedule.
Click any card to go straight to the official vendor. Bookmark this page — you'll come back at renewal time.
Basic Life Support
CPR, AED, choking, infant + adult resuscitation. The baseline cert every nurse needs before day one. ~$60–$90 · 2-yr cert.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Code algorithms, rhythm recognition, defibrillation, code-cart drugs. Required for ICU, ED, PCU, cath lab, tele. ~$150–$250 · 2-yr cert.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Pediatric resuscitation algorithms, peds drug dosing, respiratory & shock management. Required for PICU, peds ED, peds floors. ~$150–$250 · 2-yr cert.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program
Newborn resuscitation, ventilation, chest compressions on neonates. Required for any L&D / NICU / nursery role. ~$45 online + skills check. 2-yr cert.
NIH Stroke Scale
Standardized stroke severity assessment. Required at every stroke-certified hospital — neuro, ICU, ED, tele. Free. Annual renewal.
Trauma + Emergency Pediatric
TNCC = adult trauma assessment + intervention. ENPC = pediatric emergency. Most ED contracts require both. ~$250–$400 each · 4-yr cert.
Intermediate / Advanced Fetal Monitoring
Reading and interpreting fetal heart strips. Required for L&D, antepartum, OB triage. Intermediate is the standard ask. ~$200–$350 · 2-yr cert.
Sugar, Temp, Airway, BP, Lab work, Emotional support — neonatal stabilization protocol. Some NICU contracts require this on top of NRP, but most don't. Ask your recruiter before paying for it.
stableprogram.orgAlready finished your HeartCode eLearning? Use this finder to locate an in-person skills site near you.
cpr.heart.org/en/find-a-courseCompliance won't credential you with a card expiring inside the contract.
Save your receipts. Ask me before you pay — a few of our hospitals cover BLS/ACLS/PALS.
I'll upload it directly to your compliance file. One text, done.
Nearly all assignments require an active RN license (or a compact multistate license) and current BLS (Basic Life Support). Most acute-care and specialty roles also require ACLS, and pediatric or emergency roles often require PALS. Specialty units may add credentials such as NRP, TNCC, or NIHSS.
BLS, ACLS, and PALS are American Heart Association (AHA) courses. Many hospitals specifically require the AHA versions; some accept equivalents such as the American Red Cross for BLS. Confirm which provider your assigned facility accepts before booking a course.
AHA BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications are each valid for two years from the issue date. Plan renewals ahead of an assignment start date, because a card that expires mid-contract can pause your ability to work.
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) covers adult cardiac emergencies and is common in ICU, ER, PACU, and cath lab. PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) covers infant and child emergencies and is common in pediatrics, NICU, PICU, and many emergency departments.
Often yes. Examples include NRP for newborn and NICU roles, TNCC or ENPC for emergency and trauma, NIHSS for stroke care, and AWHONN fetal monitoring for labor and delivery. The exact list depends on the unit and facility.