CPR Class: A Requirement for Nurses

Fact Checked

Unknown to many, taking a CPR class is a requirement for most nurses all over the world. In many countries, nurses are not allowed to work in hospitals under any circumstances if they do not have a CPR or BLS certificate. This just goes to show that CPR is still a viable life-saving technique that even healthcare professionals use.

How Relevant Is CPR?

In March 2013, Stafford Hospital in the UK gained more infamy as one of its female nurses failed to administer CPR and other Basic Life Support techniques to an elderly patient who was confined in the Intensive Care Unit. The nurse wrote on her nurse’s notes and patient chart that the patient was asleep during the nurses’ rounds at 4 and 6 o’clock in the morning when the patient was already clinically dead at approximately 3 o’clock in the morning.

Government and hospital officials agree that the nurse in charge should have called the resuscitation team and proceeded with CPR afterwards regardless of the patient’s current age or medical status. This means that in the most critical of situation, CPR is the go-to life support technique that are preferred by medical professionals.

Taking a CPR Class for Everyday Use

According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, every nurse, doctor and other healthcare professionals are bound by oath to perform CPR, Basic Life Support techniques and other medical interventions that are necessary to save the lives of people outside hospitals and other healthcare facilities. This means that in the case of accidents or natural disasters, present nurses should perform the necessary measures to save the lives of many. This is why taking a CPR class does not only benefit nurses who are on duty. It is also beneficial for nurses who are not practicing their course but are available to help in emergency situations.

How are Nurses Trained in a CPR Class?

Before showing nurses the proper CPR techniques, teaching facilities often conduct lectures about the different medical conditions that may require CPR such as cardiac arrests. high-quality training centers would then provide hands-on trainings to nurses. To ensure that the students have acquired the proper CPR techniques, they will be asked to perform these techniques in a return demonstration. Failure to execute these properly would prompt training facilities to hold the certificate of the students until they learn how to execute the techniques properly. This ensures that every student delivers high-quality care during critical situations wherein CPR may be needed.