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Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI®) For Nursing Education
As the number one trusted professional, nurses have been deemed as the "heart of healthcare.” Ironically, they are often the first on the scene to identify the need for and to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)— the single biggest determinant of—and the last chance for survival in— a cardiac arrest emergency.
Nurses play an instrumental role in the management of in-hospital cardiac arrest. Despite this knowledge, research illustrates that not all nurses are competent in CPR. As a result, not all patients are receiving the high-quality CPR they need to survive.
To address the increasing demand and need for high-quality CPR, the National League for Nursing has partnered with Laerdal Medical and the RQI® program as we recognize that having strong nursing competences begins in the classroom.
Our goal? To prepare the next generation of nurses to maximize lifesaving resuscitation competence and improve cardiac arrest outcomes.
Why RQI?
Developed by the American Heart Association and Laerdal Medical, RQI is delivered through RQI Partners, the official provider of RQI, HeartCode®, and other resuscitation quality improvement solutions. The program is designed to eliminate preventable cardiac arrest deaths by delivering innovative, evidence-based training.
RQI is a proven resuscitation quality improvement program currently used by more than 1 million health care professionals nationwide and outside the U.S. The program’s courses measure and verify competence through self-directed, competence-based, simulation mastery learning and performance provided through cognitive and hands-on CPR quality improvement sessions. Rooted in the True Adaptive™ learning design, which leverages artificial intelligence, courses afford personalized instruction tailored to and driven by individual needs, knowledge levels, actions, and performance.
It is estimated that more than 150,000 students graduate each year from nursing programs at U.S. colleges and universities. Adopting RQI is a proven way of helping your nursing program to better prepare future nursing professionals to respond to cardiac arrest events competently and confidently—leading to an increase in survival rates!
Elevating Clinical Readiness with RQI at the 2025 Summit
At the 2025 NLN Summit, attendees had the opportunity to complete free Basic Life Support (BLS) certification using the RQI program. Twenty-four participants finished the self-directed, hands-on RQI experience onsite and earned their certification. Watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes look as attendees engage with RQI’s innovative, competency-based approach to mastering a critical nursing skill and to see how personalized, adaptive learning supports true clinical readiness. The video also features a North Carolina Central University nursing student who provided high-quality CPR during her externship and credits her confidence and preparation to her RQI training.
RQI in Action: A Real-World Save Story
When every second counts, preparation makes all the difference.
Watch how Briana Conners, a nursing student at Anderson University, sprang into action during a cardiac arrest emergency at an airport. Her RQI training gave her the confidence and competence to respond effectively—demonstrating the real-world impact of resuscitation education.
Ready to bring RQI to your program?
Take the next step toward transforming resuscitation education at your institution:
- Learn how RQI can enhance your nursing curriculum
- Access tools and guidance for seamless implementation
- Join a national movement committed to improving cardiac arrest outcomes
Visit the RQI For Nursing Education webpage to learn more and get started.
Want to dive deeper into the research and evidence behind RQI?
Explore expert insights, data, and supporting science at LearningRQI.com.
What is clear from these studies and other research is that CPR skills are not retained unless you practice them, and an effective way to develop and maintain these skills is by using RQI.
- Marilyn H. Oermann, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN