Healthcare providers like nurses, occupational therapists, and physician assistants are almost always busy taking care of people. The welfare of others comes first in their eyes and often leaves little time for anything outside of their duties, including getting recertified in CPR. If you are a healthcare provider and it’s time to renew your CPR certification, you might be a little bit frustrated. How are you supposed to make time to do that? If you’re just starting your career as a new healthcare provider, you may need to get certified in a hurry to start school or your new job. Whether you’re working back to back night shifts or studying for boards, time is precious.
This brings up a good question – how can you get CPR certified without wasting your time?
Today, we are going to cover your options when it comes to CPR classes and how you can get certified quickly and hassle-free.
The three types of CPR classes for healthcare providers
If you are a healthcare provider with medical training, you need to pursue a Healthcare BLS certification. Basic life support, or BLS, goes into more detail about emergency situations and responses that an average bystander can’t address. If you take basic or general rescuer CPR classes, your certificate is not likely to be accepted by your employer or your state’s licensing board.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about the three types of CPR certification classes you can take as a healthcare provider. Each has its advantages and disadvantages but this information should help you choose the one that works best for you and your schedule.
Option 1: Traditional Classroom Setting
Some of you may prefer a traditional hands-on class. These classes are held at fire departments, in classrooms, or at a training center in your community. The major downside to these classes is that they’re time-consuming and it’s not always easy to work them into your schedule.
Option 2: Online Classes
With the rise of the internet, schools and training programs have evolved to suit the modern era. You know that you can attend college classes online, but did you know that you can get CPR certified online? If not, now you do!
When you take healthcare provider BLS classes online, you can go at your own pace and do it all in the comfort of your own home. You do not have to rearrange your schedule or drive out of your way to get to class and you can take your learning material wherever you go!
Option 3: Blended Classes
If an online CPR course is more convenient but you are worried about the lack of hands-on learning, blended classes might be the right choice for you. You have a thoughtful instructor who brings together the best of both settings. In these courses, you do the basic coursework online and participate in hands-on demonstrations in a classroom setting or with technology-enabled solutions like face-to-face video conferencing!
Which class for healthcare providers is the most efficient?
There are upsides and downsides to each type of class. Which one you choose should depend on how much time you have to spare, ease of scheduling, what kind of learning you prefer, and what is required by your employer or licensing board. Given that healthcare providers are often extremely busy, most find online classes to be the most efficient option.
Why is that? Let’s discuss.
Online classes allow you to learn at your own pace.
Unless you procrastinated and need to get certified or recertified quickly to meet a deadline, online classes are the most efficient because they allow you to go at a pace you can handle. You do not have to drop everything and rush to a training center; you do all of your training wherever you take your laptop or personal computer.
This is efficient because you can work and get your shifts in and work on your CPR class in your spare time at home. It relieves some stress and allows you to keep up with a busy work schedule without excessively cutting into your spare time.
Online CPR classes give you your certificate immediately after passing the course.
If you go to a classroom or training center to get CPR certified as a healthcare provider, you usually have to wait to get your certificate. The provider will either mail it to you or you’re asked to stick around after class is over while the certificates and cards are printed.
Online, you can print your certificate immediately after passing the test! If you ARE one of those people who procrastinated and need proof of certification ASAP, online classes are sometimes the only way to get it fast enough to meet a deadline.
Where to get CPR certified as a healthcare provider
If you have decided that online CPR classes are right for you, the next step is finding a reputable site with instructors who use the latest guidelines from the American Heart Association and ECC/ILCOR.
Luckily for you, the answer is right here! ProCPR courses from ProTrainings are compliant and up-to-date with all guidelines for CPR/BLS/first aid techniques. Healthcare providers can rest easy knowing that they are getting training from a reputable source with nationally accepted certifications. When you get your CPR certification with ProTrainings, you are good for another two years.
Our BLS course for healthcare providers includes:
- 3 hours and 9 minutes of video instruction
- Knowledge reviews
- Downloadable material to study
- Remedial help if needed
- Final test
You only pay your class dues ($59.95) when you pass your final test so there is nothing to lose if you don’t pass the first time. Many traditional classes do not offer the same guarantee. Don’t wait around – get CPR certified and be the healthcare provider that everyone needs you to be.