Every Nursing Student Needs BLS Certification
- Grace
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
Why Every Nursing Student Needs BLS Certification Before Clinicals (2025 Guide)
BLS Certification:
Starting clinical placements is one of the biggest milestones for any nursing student. But before you step onto the unit, one requirement stands above the rest:
You need a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification — and it must be Heart & Stroke Foundation–approved.
Whether you’re in your first year or preparing for practicum, BLS isn’t just a school requirement. It’s a lifesaving skill, a confidence-builder, and one of the most important certifications you’ll carry throughout your healthcare career.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
What BLS actually includes
Why nursing students need BLS before clinicals
Heart & Stroke vs. other BLS providers
The most common mistakes students make
How to get certified quickly in Edmonton
What to expect in a Saving Grace Medical Academy BLS class
What Is Basic Life Support (BLS)?
Basic Life Support is the foundational emergency skillset used by healthcare professionals during:
Cardiac arrest
Respiratory arrest
Airway obstruction
Sudden collapses
Life-threatening medical events on the unit
Students learn:
High-quality CPR for adults, children & infants
Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) ventilation
Team-based resuscitation
AED operation
Pulse checks & early recognition of deterioration
Recovery positions & airway management
Our BLS classes at SGMA follow the most current 2025 Heart & Stroke Foundation guidelines.
Why Nursing Students Need BLS Before Clinicals
1. Most nursing schools require Heart & Stroke BLS for placement.
Universities and colleges across Alberta—including NorQuest, UofA, MacEwan, and nursing programs across Canada—specifically require:
This is the only recognized version used in Alberta hospitals.
2. You will be expected to act fast in real emergencies.
Clinical instructors expect students to:
Recognize unresponsiveness
Begin CPR if necessary
Call the code
Assist during real resuscitations
BLS ensures you’re prepared the moment a clinical emergency occurs.
3. Early CPR saves lives — and you may be the first person to notice the collapse.
Nursing students are often closest to the bedside. Your skills matter.
4. Hospitals require BLS for employment after graduation.
Getting certified early means:
You’re ahead of your peers
You avoid last-minute rushes
You can apply for unit aide or health-care aide positions sooner
Heart & Stroke BLS vs. Other Providers
This is one of the biggest SEO keywords (difference between BLS providers).
Here’s the truth:
Provider | Accepted in Alberta Hospitals? | Notes |
Heart & Stroke Foundation | ✅ Yes | Required by most hospitals & nursing programs |
Red Cross | ❌ Not for hospital work | Students often unknowingly take the wrong course |
St. John Ambulance | ❌ Not accepted for nursing students | Not the healthcare BLS version |
Online-only BLS | ❌ Never accepted | Must include in-person skills testing |
You’d be amazed how many students say:
“I didn’t know I took the wrong one!”
What to Expect in an SGMA BLS Class
Our classes are designed by healthcare professionals, for healthcare professionals:
Hands-on, fast-paced, and engaging
Small class sizes for maximum practice
Realistic scenarios for nursing students
Direct feedback from experienced instructors
Edmonton’s most flexible schedule — morning and afternoon options
Certification emailed same day
Book your Heart & Stroke BLS course in Edmonton:
We offer:
Same-day certification
Student discounts
👉 Students can book online anytime at SavingGraceMedical.com
Home Treatment & Self-Care
While BLS is clinical training, students can support their own learning through:
Practicing CPR hand placement on a towel roll
Watching Heart & Stroke BLS refresh videos
Using a metronome app set to 100–120 BPM
Reviewing OPQRST and sample case scenarios
Staying hydrated and well-rested before class
Stretching hands and wrists to prevent fatigue during compressions
These simple steps improve performance and confidence during scenario time.
Case Scenario (With Rationale)
Scenario: You are a first-year nursing student completing your first hospital shift. You enter a patient room and find a 78-year-old man slumped forward, unresponsive, and not breathing normally.
What do you do first?
Correct Answer:
Start the BLS Assessment immediately:
Check responsiveness
Call for help / pull emergency cord
Start CPR if no normal breathing & no pulse
Apply AED as soon as possible
Rationale:
Early recognition and early CPR significantly increase survival rates. Students must act before waiting for instructors or staff — BLS teaches the confidence and sequence required to begin lifesaving interventions safely and effectively.
💡 Ready to Get Certified?
Be prepared. Be confident. Learn First Aid Today & Save a Life Tomorrow with Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd. Now enrolling: Basic Life Support (BLS) & Standard First Aid CPR-C & AED courses designed for healthcare professionals.
📍 Training for First-Year Nursing Students
Join Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd. for fully certified, CSA-compliant Standard First Aid CPR-C & AED courses—designed for Alberta’s future healthcare professionals.
Just Remember:
Protect Yourself. Call 911.Don’t Waste Time.
RESOURCES:
Author - Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd
Grace. T
Medical Content Writer
