PALS vs NRP
NRP and the PALS course both deal with very young patients, which is why people confuse them. The dividing line is the moment of birth: NRP is for the newly born at delivery; PALS is for infants and children after that.
The short answer
NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program, American Academy of Pediatrics with the AHA) covers resuscitation at and just after birth. PALS (AHA) covers infants and children. Delivery-room staff need NRP; paediatric staff need PALS; many NICU staff need both.
| NRP | PALS | |
|---|---|---|
| Patients | Newly born at delivery | Infants and children |
| Main problem | Transition to breathing after birth | Respiratory problems, shock, arrhythmias, arrest |
| Where | Delivery room, NICU | Wards, ED, PICU, pre-hospital |
| Programme | American Academy of Pediatrics | American Heart Association |
At birth the priority is establishing breathing: ventilation is the key intervention, and the sequence is designed for the transition from placenta to lungs. After the newborn period, children deteriorate from respiratory failure and shock, which is what PALS addresses.
We teach PALS; NRP is delivered through the American Academy of Pediatrics programme, linked below. Other comparisons: PALS vs ACLS, BLS vs PALS.
A NICU nurse may attend a delivery in the morning and manage a deteriorating two-month-old in the afternoon. The first situation calls on NRP, the second on PALS, which is why many units ask for both and why the two are complementary rather than alternatives.
The one your current role uses most. Both require good infant CPR skills — see infant and child BLS.
Other life support and first aid courses: BLS Course · ACLS Course · First Aid Course · Training calendar
No. NRP covers the newly born at delivery; PALS covers infants and children.
Often both.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, with the American Heart Association.
We teach PALS, BLS and ACLS.
Not resuscitation at delivery; PALS applies to infants after the newborn period.
Paediatricians who attend deliveries usually need NRP as well as PALS.
No, NRP is taken by doctors, nurses, midwives and others who attend deliveries.
Safety First Medical Services is an American Heart Association training centre on Al Reem Island. HeartCode blended PALS, classroom PALS and on-site PALS for paediatric, neonatal and emergency teams, with a two-year AHA PALS Provider eCard.
See PALS dates and register PALS course overview Group booking enquiry
What we teach follows the awarding body and the UAE health authorities. For the definitive position on a course or licensing question, these are the places to check.
Last reviewed by the training team at Safety First Medical Services, an American Heart Association training centre at Addax Office Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. Call +971 55 761 9841 or email training@safetyfirstmed.ae.