What Is a Telemetry Nurse?
Electrocardiogram. Asynchronous pacing. Syncope. Unstable angina. These terms may sound unfamiliar to many, but one type of nurse is well acquainted with them. Who might that be? Telemetry nurses.
Just what is a telemetry nurse exactly? In this article, we’ll explain what these nurses are, what they do, and how you can become one.
What Is a Telemetry Unit?
A hospital telemetry unit is a specialized ward where patients receive care under continuous monitoring. When you break it down, the word telemetry comes from the words tele which means “remote” and metron which means “to measure.” It is defined as the automatic recording of data that gets sent to a device for monitoring.
In the hospital, patients who are “on telemetry” are connected to a three- or five-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) for continuous cardiac monitoring. Basically, these are wires connected to adhesive pads attached to a patient’s chest, so the heart rhythm can be seen at all times from the nurse’s station or bedside monitor.
Thus, a telemetry unit is a floor in the hospital dedicated to patients who require cardiac monitoring. A telemetry unit may also be called a cardiac telemetry unit, and the nurses who work here are sometimes also called cardiac nurses.
What Is a Telemetry Nurse?
A telemetry nurse is an RN who has cardiac training and experience treating patients with various cardiovascular conditions. What sets them apart is that they care for patients who are unstable enough to require continuous monitoring.
What Type of Patients Are On The Telemetry Unit?
Simply put, the telemetry unit is for patients who require continuous cardiac monitoring. Sometimes patients are admitted directly to the telemetry unit; other times patients are transferred to the telemetry unit from the intensive care unit (ICU) or the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).
Telemetry nurse responsibilities include caring for patients with conditions such as:
- Decompensated heart failure
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Severe electrolyte imbalance
- Acute myocardial infarction
- Congestive heart failure
- Cardiac procedures (such as a pacemaker implantation)
Progressive Care Unit vs. Telemetry
A progressive care unit (PCU), also called a step-down unit, is a hospital floor where an intermediate level of care is provided. The patients there are not stable enough to be on a medical-surgical floor, but do not require the continuous, close monitoring of an ICU.
Nurses working in the PCU typically have three patients, all with various health conditions. These patients may have chest tubes, central lines, and other advanced devices. They’ll also typically need cardiac monitoring, depending on their status. Nurses working in telemetry usually have between four and six patients who have fewer devices to manage but still need continuous cardiac monitoring.
What Do Telemetry Nurses Do?
Telemetry nurses provide much of the same nursing care as other nurses, such as administering medication and providing patient education, with the addition of constantly monitoring and interpreting patients’ cardiac rhythms. What is a telemetry nurse actually doing day to day? Typical telemetry nurse skills include:
- Assessing pulses via doppler.
- Interpreting telemetry strips.
- Performing 12-lead ECG tests.
- Performing advanced life support measures, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Managing chest tubes.
- Medication administration and management.
- Assisting with procedures, such as cardioversion.
- Preparing patients for diagnostic procedures, such as cardiac catheterizations.
- Educating patients and families about heart health, medications, and lifestyle changes.
- Maintaining meticulous documentation via electronic medical record (EMR).
How to Become a Certified Telemetry Nurse: 4 Steps
How long does it take to become a telemetry nurse? Depending on your nursing school route, it takes about two to four years to enter this role. Below are the general steps you’d take to pursue this career:
Step 1: Nursing School
Your first step to becoming a telemetry nurse is to become a registered nurse. RNs are typically preferred in the acute care setting, and while some hospitals do employ licensed professional nurses (LPNs) on telemetry units, you will have more options with an RN license.
To do this, you’ll need to apply for and enroll in an associate or bachelor’s program. The two-year associate is one of the fastest ways to become an RN, but the BSN is becoming the preferred degree amongst nursing leaders and hospitals. In either program, you’ll take didactic coursework and rotate through different clinical areas for real-world experiences.
Common nursing school classes include:
- Pathophysiology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Psychology and development
- Pharmacology
- Nursing fundamentals
Step 2: Pass the NCLEX
Once you’ve graduated from nursing school, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to begin practicing. This standardized test assesses whether you have the knowledge and critical thinking to give nursing care at the entry-level. The adaptive exam is between 75 and 150 questions, and you’ll have five hours to complete it.
While nursing school is meant to prepare you for the NCLEX exam, it’s worth your time to study strategically after you graduate so you can take the exam with confidence. The test content covers these areas and more:
- Pharmacology
- Basic care and comfort
- Physiological adaptation
- Reducing clinical risk
Once you’ve passed the exam, congratulations! You’re an RN with the skills to provide entry-level nursing care.
Step 3: Gain Experience and Additional Training in Telemetry
Telemetry units do not typically have an experience requirement for new nurses, so depending on where you live, you may be able to work in this specialty as a newly graduated nurse. On the other hand, if you need to start in a more general area, such as med-surg, you’ll likely see many patients with cardiac problems.
Some units require additional training within your first few years of work. These may include:
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Hospital-provided telemetry training
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support (PALS)
- National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
Optional Step 4: Become Certified in Telemetry Nursing
You might be wondering, will I need a telemetry nurse certification to practice? The answer is no, but earning additional training and certifications has many benefits:
- Increased confidence
- Professional credibility
- Potential bonuses or salary boosts
- Job satisfaction
There are two main options if you’re seeking a telemetry certification. Cost and requirements of each of each are listed below:
Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC): Offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), this is the leading telemetry certification for nurses who work on cardiac floors and units. To be eligible for this certification, you’ll need the following:
- An active RN license in a U.S. state or territory, or the equivalent in another country
- At least 2 years of experience as an RN
- At least 2,000 clinical hours in a cardiac setting in the past 3 years
- At least 30 hours of continuing education in cardiovascular nursing in the past 3 years
Certification fees:
- American Nurses Association member: $295
- Non-ANA members: $395
- Preventive Cardiovascular Association members: $340
Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC-Adult): The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) offers this specialty certification for nurses who care for patients in cardiac units, medical ICUs, telemetry units, progressive care, cardiac cath labs, and more. To be eligible for CMC, you’ll need to meet these requirements:
- An active RN license
- A current, nationally accredited clinical nursing specialty certification (such as CV-BC or CCRN)
You’ll also need to meet one of the following clinical practice requirements:
- 2-year option: 1,750 hours of direct patient care in the acute/critical care setting as an RN or APRN in the past 2 years.
- 875 of these experience hours must have occurred in the past year.
- At least 875 hours must have been spent in the care of cardiac patients.
- 5-year option: 2,000 hours of direct patient care in the acute/critical care setting as an RN or APRN in the past 5 years.
- 144 of these experience hours must have occurred in the past year.
- 1,000 hours must have been spent in the care of acute or critically ill adults.
Certification fees:
- AACN members: $145
- Non-AACN members: $235
Related Certifications for Telemetry Nurses
Depending on the area and population you work with, one or more of these certifications might be a good fit for you:
- Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
- Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP)
- CCRN Certification
- Med-Surg Certifications (CMSRN or MEDSURG-BC)
- Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN-Adult)
What Is a Telemetry Nurse Expected to Make in a Year?
The average telemetry nurse salary is around $110,450 per year. In comparison, the average registered nurse salary is $94,480, but do note this is for all RNs. Depending on your location, experience level, degree, and facility, your exact salary as a telemetry nurse may vary. Here are some of the states with the highest annual income for registered nurses:
Is Telemetry Nursing Right For You?
What is a telemetry nurse? You asked and we’ve answered. Are you ready to join them? With IntelyCare, you can work where you want, when you want. Find a nursing job that matches your goals today.