Life Support Certification Classes
(CPR & BLS Certification Courses)

This course is for all healthcare providers, first responders, and students who are seeking certification in basic life support (BLS). There is an initial class offered for individuals who have never taken a BLS class or have let their certification lapse. There is a renewal class offered for individuals that need to re-certify their BLS and have a current BLS certification.

• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) in-person classes are provided to NMHS employees and NMC students at no cost.
• The BLS certification is good for two years after completing the course. Students can take a renewal class the month before their certification expires. 
• Students can expect the initial BLS class to last 3.5 hours and the renewal class is only 3 hours long.
• Once a certification expires, it’s required to retake the BLS course. 
• Over 4,400 NMC students, healthcare professionals and general registrants take NMC’s BLS course each year.
• For renewal classes, bring proof of current American Heart Association BLS certification.

Before Your Class

Required Student Text: BLS for Healthcare Providers, 2020 Edition (©2020)

Any student can borrow a copy of the BLS book at the Clark building front desk. You do not need to contact us prior to picking up, for front desk hours please call 402-354-7000. **ALL borrowed texts MUST be returned to the front desk the day of class.

The AHA now allows the book to be used during the written exam. Books will be available in the classroom for that purpose, so borrowed books must be returned to the front desk prior to class.

WOMEN’S HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES: Please call (402) 815-1895 to arrange a book pickup.

JENNIE ED EMPLOYEES: Please contact Penny Peters to arrange a book pick up at (712) 396-6003.

FREMONT EMPLOYEES: Please contact HR to arrange a book pick up.

NMHS Employees, NMC Students and external participants have the option to purchase a text for $17.25 (includes S&H). Purchased books will be mailed to the address provided during registration.

Skills checks are for those individuals who have completed the American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers eLearning course Part 1 and requires skills practice and testing for certification. There is a charge for Methodist Health System employees and students to register for the skills check.

• BLS skills check classes are offered to staff and employees that do not wish to take a class to renew their certification. 
• Participants must take an online AHA HeartCode course payable to the AHA and pay NMC for the skills check. Students must bring the certificate of completion from the AHA HeartCode course to the skills check.
• A skills check takes up to 30 minutes to complete.

This course is designed to prepare instructors to teach AHA courses for healthcare providers. In order to take this class, instructor candidates MUST hold a non-expired American Heart Association provider's card in the course they are wanting to teach.