Practice resource network.

Q: Should ACLS training be mandatory for critical care and progressive care nurses??

It is the individual's and institution's responsibility to make decisions regarding the necessity of specific education programs based on patients' needs. In areas where knowledge regarding the location of emergency equipment as well as checking and stocking for resuscitation is required, the nurse should have the education and ability to perform the tasks. CLS is highly recommended because it is an excellent, standardized education program based on solid research. The benefits of ACLS programs include: a standardized approach to resuscitation, a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, evidence-based practice recommendations and an interactive educational format. The American Heart Association is careful not to call ACLS programs (including PALS and BLS) certification or competency validation. They are marketed as educational programs and do not guarantee clinical performance.

Programs such as ACLS provide the necessary content for the education component of the competency validation process and can be extremely valuable in standardizing the knowledge and education required for resuscitation.

The Joint Commission states, "The goal of their human resources is to ensure the qualification and competencies for staff position based on its mission, population and care, treatment and services." Each institution then defines the methods for ensuring the qualifications and competencies for that position. So it is the organization's responsibility to identify the competencies needed for safe patient care and the mechanism it uses to assess those competencies.

You may want to validate with other hospitals in your area to compare the job requirements for similar positions. Speak with the risk management/quality management departments about competencies and job requirements.

Here are two listservs for the practice community:

Nurses in Healthcare Management and Business Leadership (NIHMBL) As the first listserv of its kind for acute and critical care nurse managers, NIHMBL is a platform for members to discuss pertinent issues, ranging from staffing to policies and procedures to conflict resolution. Participants include critical and acute care charge nurses, managers, and clinical and administrative directors. For more information, visit http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NIHMBL/.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist Listserv

The purpose of the list is to provide an international forum for networking, information sharing and discussion of issues relevant to the role of the clinical nurse specialist. This listserv is very active with many clinical issues. You may subscribe by e-mailing a blank message to: [e-mail].