Are you seeking training in top-tier PEARS (Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization)? Look only as far as ACLS Academy, where we offer expert-led courses designed to prepare healthcare providers for pediatric emergencies. This course supports healthcare providers who do not regularly provide advanced pediatric life support or are not credentialed for advanced pediatric treatment. Specifically, PEARS develops skills in recognizing signs and symptoms of a child in cardiopulmonary distress who needs rapid support.

Now, as a certified provider by the American Nurses Association of Massachusetts (ANA), ACLS Academy is proud to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for course completion, further enhancing the value of your training. Whether you're a nurse, EMT, or other healthcare professional, our PEARS course equips you with the critical skills to recognize and manage pediatric emergencies effectively.

PEARS vs. PALS: What’s the Difference?

While PEARS (Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) are pediatric-focused emergency care courses, they are designed for different purposes and levels of experience.

PEARS is aimed at healthcare providers who may encounter pediatric emergencies but are not directly involved in advanced life support procedures. It teaches providers how to recognize the early signs of a pediatric emergency, stabilize the child, and initiate essential life-saving interventions until more advanced help arrives. The course focuses on assessment, recognition, and stabilization, providing the knowledge and confidence to manage common pediatric emergencies such as respiratory distress, shock, and cardiac arrest.

PALS, on the other hand, is a more advanced course designed for providers who are expected to take a leadership role in resuscitation efforts for critically ill or injured pediatric patients. PALS goes into more advanced clinical detail, including pharmacology, advanced airway management, and rhythm interpretation, aimed at healthcare professionals involved in advanced resuscitation and life support.

In short, PEARS is an excellent course for those needing a strong pediatric emergency care foundation. At the same time, PALS is best suited for those expected to lead resuscitation efforts in critical pediatric cases.

Who Would Benefit from PEARS Training?

The PEARS course is perfect for a wide variety of healthcare professionals, including:

• Nurses: Especially those who work in pediatric or general medical units, urgent care centers, emergency departments, or schools.

• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics: These first responders often encounter pediatric patients in emergencies and need to assess, stabilize, and manage emergencies quickly and effectively.

• Physicians and Physician Assistants: Doctors and PAs in general practice or emergency care settings will benefit from learning how to rapidly assess and stabilize pediatric patients before they can receive advanced care.

• Healthcare Workers in Pediatric Care Facilities: This training will be invaluable to providers working in daycare centers, schools, or other settings where they may encounter distressed children.

The course suits those who work directly with pediatric patients or in environments where pediatric emergencies may occur.

Course Content and Key Learning Objectives

The AHA’s PEARS course is a classroom-based, Instructor-led course in which students learn how to use a systematic approach to quickly assess, recognize the cause, and stabilize a pediatric patient in an emergency. Skills are taught in large-group sessions and small-group learning and testing stations, where case-based scenarios are presented using the course video. The PEARS Course includes child and infant BLS skills practice and testing.

Because the providers for whom PEARS is intended do not regularly treat critically ill children, the course utilizes several unique visual cues and learning tools to help students recognize the signs of distress and teach and reinforce the most relevant steps in handling a child at risk of cardiopulmonary arrest. One of the unique tools used in the course is video-based simulation, which enables providers to see and hear critically ill children.

The course content covers a range of critical topics that help providers assess, recognize, and stabilize pediatric patients in emergencies. The main areas of focus include:

1. Pediatric Assessment: The course begins by teaching the systematic approach to assessing pediatric patients in an emergency. This includes learning to quickly and accurately evaluate the child’s airway, breathing, circulation, and overall condition to identify life-threatening emergencies. Students will be trained to recognize the signs of respiratory failure, shock, and cardiac arrest in children, all of which require rapid intervention.

2. Respiratory Distress and Failure: Respiratory issues are the most common reasons pediatric patients seek emergency care. The PEARS course teaches providers how to recognize the early signs of respiratory distress and failure in children and intervene appropriately. Topics covered include oxygen therapy, airway management, and basic techniques for managing patients with breathing difficulties.

3. Shock: Shock is another typical emergency in pediatric patients, and the PEARS course focuses on recognizing the early signs of shock and stabilizing a child’s condition. Healthcare providers will learn how to assess circulatory status, provide fluid resuscitation, and manage shock in pediatric patients, essential for improving survival outcomes.

4. Cardiac Arrest: Although pediatric cardiac arrest is less common than in adults, it still represents a critical emergency. PEARS covers the essential principles of basic life support (BLS) for pediatric patients, including chest compressions, airway management, and an automated external defibrillator (AED). While advanced techniques are covered in the PALS course, PEARS focuses on the foundational skills vital for any healthcare provider involved in pediatric emergency care.

5. Pediatric Specifics: Children are not just small adults—they have different physiological responses to illness and injury. The PEARS course considers these differences and teaches providers how to adjust their approaches when caring for pediatric patients. This includes recognizing age-appropriate vital signs, understanding the differences in drug dosing, and using equipment tailored to pediatric patients.

6. Hands-On Practice: One of the most critical aspects of the PEARS course is its hands-on component. ACLS Academy offers realistic simulations and scenario-based training, allowing participants to practice their skills in a controlled, supportive environment. These hands-on sessions give participants the confidence they need to perform critical interventions in pediatric emergencies.

Course Completion Card

Students who complete the PEARS Course will receive a PEARS Provider course completion card (print or eCard), valid for two years and 8 CE units. Course completion requirements include:

●       Active participation in case discussions

●       Active involvement in the rescue breathing skills station and cardiac arrest case simulations

●       Pass the skills tests in 1- and 2-rescuer child BLS with AED and 1- and 2-rescuer infant BLS

●       Pass the video-based written exam with a minimum score of 84%

Why Choose ACLS Academy for Your PEARS Training?

At ACLS Academy, we are committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive training. Our PEARS course is led by experienced instructors who bring real-world knowledge and expertise to the classroom. Our motto is “By Providers, For Providers.” The interactive, engaging training is designed to equip you with the skills to act quickly and confidently in pediatric emergencies.

Additionally, ACLS Academy is proud to be certified by the American Nurses Association of Massachusetts (ANA) to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for course completion. This accreditation adds value to your training and ensures you receive top-tier education that aligns with industry standards.

Sign up for ACLS Academy’s PEARS training today, and ensure you’re ready to respond when a pediatric emergency arises.

ACLS Academy is an authorized American Heart Association (AHA)- Aligned Training Center. We have three convenient locations in Massachusetts—Quincy, Bridgewater, and Newton Center—and most of our classes include an online training component. We provide high-quality courses taught by instructors practicing in the medical profession for ACLS, BLS, TNCC, ENPC, NRP, PALS, PALS Plus, PEARS, ACLS- EP, ASLS, Bloodborne Pathogen, HeartSaver CPR/AED, First Aid, and Instructor Courses. Please browse our catalog of courses.