Tele Travel Nursing Jobs

Telemetry nurses are the ultimate when it comes to being flexible on the job and monitoring crucial patient vitals! In fact, demand remains consistently high for tele nurses because it’s such an important and highly specialized role. This means that there’s an abundance of well-paying tele travel nursing jobs in exciting locations nationwide! If you’re a tele RN, tele CNA, tele LPN/LVN, or work another telemetry-related role, read on to learn more and explore nationwide tele job opportunities for travel nurses and travel allied health professionals.

A career in tele travel nursing is a great way for you to avoid nurse burnout — the job is still very demanding, but the variety of locations and facilities can help keep you fresh and motivated. It’s also a great way to sharpen your skills, gain crucial experience, and improve your resume.

Telemetry Travel Nurse Salary: Factors, Range, and Average Pay

Telemetry travel nurses can earn between $1,500 to $3,000 per week depending on location, experience, and the agency they work with. The average salary range of a travel tele nurse is between $72,000 – $144,000 per year.

Travel telemetry nurses can expect to earn competitive salaries that often exceed the pay rates of permanent nurses. This usually includes base pay, as well as additional compensation such as housing stipends, travel allowances, and medical insurance. Overall, travel telemetry nursing can be a lucrative career path for nurses who are interested in exploring new locations and experiences while earning competitive pay.

The location of the assignment is a crucial factor that can affect the salary of a travel telemetry nurse. Travel nurses working in high-demand areas, such as large metropolitan cities or rural locations, may be offered higher pay rates to attract and retain top talent. For instance, travel nurses working in California, New York, or Massachusetts may earn higher salaries compared to those working in less populous areas.

The level of experience of the nurse is another factor that can influence pay rates. Nurses with more experience and specialized skills may be offered higher salaries than those with less experience.

Telemetry RN Education Requirements

To become a tele RN, you will need to complete an ADN or BSN program, pass the NCLEX, and obtain licensure as an RN in your state of practice. Tele RNs may benefit from additional training or certification in telehealth technology and best practices for delivering care remotely.

ADN takes two years, while BSN takes four years and includes more advanced coursework. Both prepare students for the NCLEX exam. Passing the NCLEX is a requirement for RN licensure in all U.S. states and territories.

Licensure Guide for Telemetry Nurses

licensure for telemetry nurses would typically involve obtaining a valid and current registered nursing (RN) license, as well as additional certifications in telemetry or cardiac nursing. This may include obtaining the Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, as well as the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

The specific licensure requirements may vary by state or country, so it’s important for telemetry nurses to research and understand the requirements in their specific area.

Telemetry RN Required Certifications

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS): This certification is often required for telemetry nurses, as it demonstrates that the nurse has the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to manage cardiac emergencies. The ACLS certification covers topics such as recognition and management of cardiac arrest, stroke, and acute coronary syndromes.

Basic Life Support (BLS): BLS certification is a requirement for all healthcare providers, including telemetry nurses. This certification covers basic life-saving techniques, such as CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS): This certification is often required for telemetry nurses who work with patients who have suffered a stroke. The NIHSS certification demonstrates that the nurse has the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and manage patients who have had a stroke.

Telemetry RN Travel Preferred Certifications

Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI): This certification is preferred by some healthcare facilities for their telemetry nurses. The CPI certification demonstrates that the nurse has the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and prevent crisis situations with patients, particularly those with behavioral or mental health concerns.

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP): This certification is often preferred for telemetry nurses who work with newborns or neonatal patients. The NRP certification covers techniques for neonatal resuscitation and emergency care, and it demonstrates that the nurse has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality care for these vulnerable patients.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC): These certifications are preferred for telemetry nurses who work with pediatric patients. The PALS and ENPC certifications cover advanced pediatric life support techniques, including recognition and management of respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies in children.

Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC): This certification is often preferred for telemetry nurses who work in emergency or trauma care settings. The TNCC certification covers advanced trauma care techniques, including triage, assessment, and management of trauma patients.

Required Experience for a Travel Telemetry Nurse

To become a travel telemetry nurse, one needs to have a minimum of one to two years of recent, in-hospital experience. This experience should ideally be in a telemetry or cardiac care setting, and it helps to ensure that the nurse is competent and experienced enough to provide quality care in a fast-paced and often-changing environment.

What Does a Telemetry Travel Nurse Do?

Telemetry units typically take in patients transferred from intensive care units and cardiac care units. Telemetry nurses are pros at using technology to monitor and interpret cardiac rhythms and vitals for patients who are acutely or critically ill. This means a lot of setting up and reading electrocardiograms, but also having the skills to swiftly identify and irregularities and to intervene quickly if a patient needs emergency assistance, cardiac intervention methods, or other treatment. In addition to heart activity, tele teams are also constantly monitoring blood pressure, breathing patterns, and blood oxygen saturation.

Tele nurses and other tele professionals most often work in a hospital setting but can also work in long-term care facilities, outpatient surgery centers, and even home health. Their ultimate goal is to successfully monitor patients and avoid any catastrophic turns in a patient’s health.

Who Works in Telemetry?

A wide range of healthcare professionals work in the telemetry unit. Tele unit team members can include telemetry RNs, telemetry techs, telemetry CNAs, telemetry LPNs/LVNs, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, dieticians, nursing assistants, physicians/hospitalists, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, administrative staff, and social workers/case managers.

Who’s Treated in Telemetry?

Patients treated in the telemetry unit are in need of constant monitoring and many of them are facing cardiovascular-related issues. Such issues can include heart attacks, strokes, heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pains, arrhythmias, COPD, electrolyte imbalances, renal failure, cancer, or recovery from procedures like coronary bypass surgeries or stent placements. In other cases, tele patients can also be monitored for sleep studies or neurological concerns.

What Skills Do Telemetry Nurses Need?

You must have excellent analytical and critical thinking skills to effectively monitor patients remotely. You need to be able to interpret data from multiple sources, such as patient charts, EKG monitors, and other telemetry equipment, and make informed decisions based on that data. You must also be able to identify potential problems and take quick and appropriate action to prevent them from escalating.

Being highly adaptable is also essential for tele nurses. Tele nursing environments can be unpredictable and can change quickly, so you must be able to adapt to new situations quickly and efficiently. Additionally, you need to be a great team player and work well in a fast-paced environment. Tele nurses often work closely with other healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff, so being able to collaborate effectively with others is crucial.

Excellent communication skills are also essential for tele nurses. You must be able to communicate effectively with patients, family members, and other healthcare professionals, both in person and through technology. Tele nurses must be able to provide clear instructions to patients and family members on how to use telemetry equipment and interpret data. You must also be able to communicate effectively with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care for your patients.

Lastly, being able to monitor and assess patients at a high level is crucial for tele nurses. You must be able to identify any changes in the patient’s condition and respond appropriately. This includes monitoring vital signs, identifying potential side effects from medications, and recognizing symptoms of potential complications. The ability to monitor and assess patients remotely requires a high level of skill and attention to detail, which is essential for tele nurses to be successful in their role.

Telemetry vs Stepdown: What’s the Difference?

Telemetry nurses are registered nurses who specialize in monitoring patients’ vital signs and telemetry equipment, which includes electrocardiogram (EKG) machines, heart monitors, and other devices. They work with patients who require continuous monitoring due to a history of cardiac issues, neurological conditions, or other medical concerns. Telemetry nurses also administer medications, provide patient education, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients.

On the other hand, stepdown nurses work with patients who are transitioning from critical care to a less intensive setting. They care for patients who have recently been discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU) but still require close monitoring and observation. Stepdown nurses work in intermediate care units or stepdown units, where they provide specialized care to patients who need constant monitoring, assessment, and management of their conditions. These nurses also work with other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive the best possible care during their recovery.

Telemetry and stepdown nurses have different roles and responsibilities in the healthcare field. Telemetry nurses focus on monitoring patients’ vital signs and telemetry equipment, while stepdown nurses work with patients who are transitioning from critical care to a less intensive setting. Both nursing roles require specialized skills, knowledge, and experience to provide high-quality care to patients in need.

Because these nursing specialties have distinct responsibilities, they are usually listed separately in job postings. However, some healthcare facilities may have combined telemetry and stepdown units, where nurses may be cross-trained to work in both areas. In these cases, job listings may include both specialties, and nurses may be required to have experience in both telemetry and stepdown care.