Travel Nursing: Telemetry

Telemetry nursing is a rewarding career that allows nurses to make a difference in critically ill patients’ lives. Though continually monitoring patients’ vitals can be stressful, these nurses fulfill an important role in facilities around the country. Learn more about telemetry travel nursing jobs below.

Requirements

Telemetry nurses care for patients suffering from heart attacks, congestive heart failure, renal failure, advanced cancer and other illnesses that require critical care. They also take care of patients who are preparing for or recovering from invasive surgeries (generally heart surgery).

A telemetry nurse must monitor a patient’s heart rate, oxygen levels, breathing rate and blood pressure and therefore needs to be familiar with specialized equipment such as cardiopulmonary machines, along with electrodes and other machines used to perform EKGs.

Because patients in a telemetry unit require constant monitoring, most telemetry nurses work long shifts, and hospitals are generally staffed with these nurses 24 hours a day. They must be calm in stressful environments and able to react quickly when life-saving care is necessary.

Note: Basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification, as well as one year of clinical experience, are required for all nurses RNnetwork places.

Telemetry nursing is also known as step-down nursing, progressive care nursing, intermediate care and transitional care. Facilities may also refer to telemetry units as progressive care units (PCUs) or direct observation units.

Education

Telemetry nurses must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and have passed the NCLEX. Though there is no specific graduate program for telemetry, some nurses earn a critical care registered nurse (CCRN) or progressive care critical nurse (PCCN) certification to give them more experience when working in a telemetry unit. Nurses can also become certified as cardiovascular telemetry nurses through the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine and Credentialing.

Are you interested in traveling with RNnetwork? Check out our open telemetry travel nursing jobs.