ACLS certification opens doors for senior students amid growing demand for clinical-ready nurses
A new alliance between the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) and Scotland Health Care System is giving nursing students an early career boost by providing Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) training — a credential typically earned only after entering the workforce.
This collaboration, announced by the McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing, aims to better prepare graduates for high-pressure roles in emergency and critical care units. Students enrolled in the school’s pre-licensure nursing program are now receiving hands-on instruction in resuscitation techniques, advanced airway management, and emergency cardiovascular pharmacology — skills vital for saving lives in real-time scenarios.
Academic-Clinical Bridge With Career-Ready Results
For many in North Carolina’s rural and underserved communities, access to experienced clinical talent remains a persistent challenge. By partnering directly with regional healthcare systems like Scotland Health, UNCP is aligning its curriculum more closely with workforce demands.
“This partnership is about empowering our students to step into their careers with a deeper sense of readiness and purpose,” said Ronnie Tunstall, director of Pre-Licensure Programs at UNCP, in a press statement. “We are thrilled to be building bridges between the university and local hospitals, and this was a huge first step.”
The training isn’t just theoretical. Scotland Health recently provided 26 senior nursing students with a two-day ACLS certification course, covering:
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Advanced airway techniques
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High-stakes cardiac arrest and stroke interventions
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Emergency drug administration protocols
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Team-based resuscitation strategies
Students who complete the program walk away with not only their ACLS certificate — typically valued at $300 — but also resume-building workshops, interview preparation, and training in workplace professionalism, all funded by Scotland Health.
Confidence in Crisis: Student Voices
Senior nursing student Jessica Stancikas reflected on the experience, calling it “transformational.”
“Going into the training, I had no clue what we were in for,” she said. “Afterward, I was so grateful. It gave me a clearer understanding of heart rhythms and medication administration, especially during critical situations.”
Her sentiment echoed across the cohort, many of whom will likely seek jobs in critical care, emergency departments, or cardiac units — settings where ACLS certification is not just recommended but required.
Responding to a Widening Nursing Shortage
North Carolina, like many states, is navigating a deepening nursing shortage, particularly in rural regions. The North Carolina Nurses Association projects a shortfall of over 12,000 nurses by 2033 unless stronger pipelines are created between higher education and healthcare employers.
That’s where this partnership fits in.
“We want their graduates to come out as prepared as possible,” said Rachel Moore, assistant director of Human Resources at Scotland Health. “To do that, we need to keep these partnerships going.”
Moore framed the partnership as a long-term investment in regional health infrastructure, not just an educational enhancement. With high turnover in hospital systems and increased patient volumes, workforce-ready graduates are in immediate demand.
Enhancing Institutional Alignment
This ACLS initiative is the first formal collaboration between UNCP and Scotland Health focused on early-stage clinical readiness. While other institutions often offer ACLS post-graduation or during employment onboarding, UNCP’s model frontloads the training, allowing students to enter job markets with a competitive credential in hand.
That early edge could mean quicker placements, higher initial pay offers, and smoother transitions into high-pressure roles.
The effort also adds prestige to UNCP’s McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing, which continues to expand its programs and partnerships. Future phases of the collaboration may include expanded simulation-based training, joint research projects, and additional certifications aligned with trauma response, pediatric emergencies, or disaster relief protocols.
Category: Education / Healthcare Workforce
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