Telemetry nursing is a specialized subfield of nursing that focuses on the monitoring of patients with cardiac conditions, such as heart disease and heart failure. Telemetry nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who are trained to use and read an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) and telemedicine technology to effectively monitor a patient’s vital signs and identify any irregular heart rhythms. The term telemetry comes from the Greek words tele, meaning “far, far off, operating at a distance,” and metron, meaning “to measure” . True to their name, telemetry nurses are tasked with measuring a patients vital signs at a distance – either in the room with the patient through noninvasive heart monitoring equipment or far away with the aid of telehealth technology.

Telemetry nurses work in a wide range of professional settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, outpatient care centers, long-term care spaces, and within patients’ homes. In hospitals, telemetry nurses typically function either in ICUs or dedicated telemetry units. These patients require constant care to prevent further complications throughout the healing process. Because of this, telemetry nurses need to be highly aware of each patients needs and should be prepared to quickly address any changes in their patient’s condition.

To become a telemetry nurse, one must first earn a minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), though a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is preferred by most employers. Telemetry is technically a sub-specialty for certified advanced practice nurses, and since there’s no graduate program currently in place for it, the majority of telemetry skills are learned on the job. Telemetry nursing is an excellent starting point for a nursing career, providing significant exposure to direct patient care, technology, and even allows one to test the waters of working in a high-intensity nursing role when patients take a sudden turn for the worse.