Project Heartbeat

ACLS

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification is required for nurses, physicians, paramedics, and other clinical professionals working in high-acuity settings. These articles cover what ACLS involves, who needs it, how requirements vary across health systems and states, and how to stay current — whether you’re renewing for the first time or navigating a new employer’s credentialing expectations. All courses referenced meet American Heart Association® standards.

3 04, 2026

California BLS, ACLS & PALS Requirements

April 3rd, 2026|ACLS, BLS, CPR Training Articles, Education, PALS|

California BLS, ACLS, and PALS Requirements California has more licensed healthcare providers than any other state, and the requirements governing BLS, ACLS, and PALS certification here reflect a regulatory environment that is both rigorous and occasionally counterintuitive. Whether you're a nurse on-boarding at a new facility, a paramedic renewing your EMS credential, or a clinician relocating from another state, this guide covers what California specifically requires and what the state's major employers enforce. The AHA eCard Is the [...]

1 04, 2026

BLS, ACLS, and PALS Certification in San Diego

April 1st, 2026|ACLS, BLS, Career Programs, CPR Training Articles, EMT Training, PALS|

BLS, ACLS, and PALS Certification in San Diego: Military Transitions, Rady Children's, and What San Diego Providers Actually Need Revive & Survive—a joint initiative from the County of San Diego and UC San Diego—launched in 2024 with the goal of training one million residents in cardiac response. As of early 2026, more than 750,000 San Diegans have already participated. Amidst a community that is better prepared, it is critical that healthcare professionals in San Diego are aptly prepared to serve [...]

28 03, 2026

BLS, ACLS, and PALS in Los Angeles

March 28th, 2026|ACLS, BLS, Nurses Corner, PALS|

BLS, ACLS, and PALS in Los Angeles: Navigating Certification Requirements Across a Fragmented Health System Los Angeles is unlike any other healthcare market in the United States. With over 80 general acute care hospitals scattered across a county twice the size of Delaware, the region's health system is defined by fragmentation. County facilities, large integrated networks, academic medical centers, community hospitals, and independent practices all coexist, each operating under distinct credentialing expectations. This guide is written for nurses, physicians, respiratory [...]

23 03, 2026

Demystifying BLS, ACLS & PALS Certification in Portland – Vancouver Metro Area

March 23rd, 2026|ACLS, Advanced Nursing, BLS, Education, Neonatal, Nurses Corner, PALS|

For nurses, paramedics, EMTs, and allied health professionals in Portland, Beaverton, Oregon City, and Vancouver, WA In May 2025, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Legacy Health announced they were ending their proposed merger after an extended period of negotiations and regulatory review. As a result, the two systems continue to operate independently within the Portland–Vancouver healthcare market. The deal would have created the largest health system in the Portland metro area; instead, the systems remain separate. [...]

25 02, 2026

BLS vs ACLS vs PALS: Which Certification Do You Need?

February 25th, 2026|ACLS, BLS, Education, PALS|

BLS vs ACLS vs PALS: What’s the Difference & Which Certification Do You Need? If you work in healthcare — or are preparing to enter the field — you’ve likely encountered three core American Heart Association (AHA) certifications: BLS (Basic Life Support) ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) Each certification is designed for a specific level of patient care and clinical responsibility. Understanding the differences helps ensure you enroll in the right course for your [...]

12 12, 2025

Why the CPR Verification Station Feels Harder — And Why It Makes You a Better Rescuer

December 12th, 2025|ACLS, BLS, CPR Training Articles, PALS|

Why the CPR Verification Station Feels More Difficult — And Why That’s a Good Thing A deeper look at why HeartCode® Verification Stations are more realistic, more demanding, and more effective than traditional classroom manikins. Introduction If you’ve ever completed a HeartCode® BLS, ACLS, or PALS skills session using a Self-Guided CPR Verification Station, you probably noticed something: It feels harder than the skills checks you’ve done in a classroom. And you’re right — the Verification Station is more [...]

31 10, 2025

2025 AHA Guidelines: BLS, ACLS & PALS Changes

October 31st, 2025|ACLS, BLS, Education, PALS|

The American Heart Association released its comprehensive 2025 Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care in October 2025, marking the most significant update to resuscitation science in five years. With 760 specific recommendations spanning adult, pediatric, and neonatal life support, these guidelines introduce critical changes that every healthcare provider needs to understand and implement immediately. At Project Heartbeat, all of our BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses have been updated to reflect these latest 2025 guidelines. Whether you're due [...]

23 09, 2025

HeartCode Complete vs. RQI: Best BLS, ACLS & PALS Training

September 23rd, 2025|ACLS, BLS, Classes, Education, PALS|

HeartCode Complete vs. RQI: Understanding the Best Training Solution for BLS, ACLS, and PALS Certification In the world of healthcare, staying current with life-saving skills like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is not just mandatory—it's crucial to saving lives. As resuscitation science evolves, so do the training methods. Two of the most popular and effective American Heart Association (AHA) options available today are HeartCode Complete and RQI (Resuscitation Quality Improvement). [...]

20 03, 2020

Problems with Excessive Ventilation During ACLS

March 20th, 2020|ACLS, Advanced Nursing, Education|

At some point in your career, you have probably dealt with a patient who was hyperventilating. This is generally referred to as respirations greater than 20 per minute. When respirations become much faster than that, oxygen levels drop and your patient begins to feel lightheaded or dizzy. However, even when your patient cannot control his own respirations, such as during or after a code, he may still be hyperventilating due to rescuer attempts. There are three main reasons why you [...]

13 03, 2020

The H’s and T’s of ACLS

March 13th, 2020|ACLS, Education|

When treating any patient, it is important to recognize what underlying concerns could be causing the present issue. Not only will this help you decide upon the correct treatment method, but also it will help you treat your patient in a more time-conscious manner. This is particularly important when treating patients with life-threatening conditions. When you learn ACLS, you will be clued in to what is commonly called the H’s and T’s, which is a [...]

Go to Top