What is a telemetry registered nurse and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.,

Kim Raines

A telemetry registered nurse specializes in monitoring and interpreting patients' vital signs, such as heart rate and rhythm, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. They work in hospitals or medical facilities to observe patients with heart conditions, respiratory problems, and critical illnesses. They assess patients, administer medications, and collaborate with physicians. Telemetry RNs need attention to detail and the ability to multitask. They also use communication to report patient status and educate patients and families.

What general advice would you give to a telemetry registered nurse?

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.

Associate Dean of the School of Nursing Professor of Nursing, Quinnipiac University

One of the suggestions for new graduates is the importance of self-care. We have long known of the demanding nature of the nursing practice. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the nursing role's critical importance and the unique contributions made by nursing professionals. As the healthcare environment is extremely complex and challenging, nurses must remember to advocate for themselves and prioritize self-care.

ScoreTelemetry Registered NurseUS Average

Salary

7.1

Avg. Salary $91,416

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 9.09%

Black or African American 11.10%

Hispanic or Latino 9.85%

Unknown 4.33%

White 65.18%

Gender

female 84.86%

male 15.14%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.1

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a telemetry registered nurse?

Pros

High demand for telemetry nurses
Potential for higher salary and benefits
Opportunity for career advancement
Flexibility in scheduling and shift options
Opportunity for travel nursing

Cons

Exposure to infectious diseases
Long shifts and irregular work hours
High patient load and fast-paced environment
Potential for burnout
Limited time for breaks and meals

Key steps to become a telemetry registered nurse

Explore telemetry registered nurse education requirements

Most common telemetry registered nurse degrees

Bachelor's

48.0 %

Associate

41.9 %

Master's

5.1 %

Start to develop specific telemetry registered nurse skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	24.78%
BLS	13.60%
Acls	7.92%
Acute Care	7.61%
Quality Care	3.44%

Complete relevant telemetry registered nurse training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New telemetry registered nurses learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a telemetry registered nurse based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real telemetry registered nurse resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed telemetry registered nurse usually require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed telemetry registered nurse in most of states. 43 states require telemetry registered nurses to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	Degree required	State exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
Alaska	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Arkansas	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse (RN)
California	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Registered
Colorado	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Registered Nurse

Gain additional telemetry registered nurse certifications

Telemetry registered nurse certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific telemetry registered nurse certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for telemetry registered nurses include Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS) and Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC).

More About Certifications

Research telemetry registered nurse duties and responsibilities

Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
Care for patients suffering from CHF, post-MI, unstable angina, and various other cardiac disorders.
Discharge planning and teaching for post myocardial infarction and angina patients.
Work with certify ACLS team members to resuscitate patients in cardiac arrest.

Prepare your telemetry registered nurse resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your telemetry registered nurse resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a telemetry registered nurse resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable telemetry registered nurse resume templates

Build a professional telemetry registered nurse resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your telemetry registered nurse resume.