If you’re looking for a nursing career without the burnout, a tele travel nursing job may be perfect. The work is demanding, but with a variety of locations and facilities, there’s always something new to motivate you.
You’ll be able to sharpen your skills, gain crucial experience, and improve your resume!
Telemetry Travel Nurse Salary: Factors, Range, and Average Pay
Travel telemetry nurses can expect to earn competitive salaries that often exceed the pay rates of permanent nurses. This usually includes base pay and additional compensation such as housing stipends, travel allowances, and medical insurance.
Overall, travel telemetry nursing can be a lucrative career path for nurses interested in exploring new locations and experiences while earning competitive pay.
View all telemetry travel nurse salaries here.
Pay Range for Telemetry Travel Nurses
$1,500 – $3,000 Per Week | $78K – $156K Per Year
Pay is dependent on location, experience, and the agency they work with.
Highest Paying Tele RN Jobs
Assignment location is a crucial factor impacting 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 as facilities look to attract and retain top talent.
Cities with a higher cost of living typically pay higher wages for telemetry travel RNs — but keep in mind that you do have to consider your other needs associated with that cost of living.
The big takeaway about your tele RN job location is that flexibility is key, and determining high-paying states for telemetry nurse jobs depends on several factors beyond the base pay package. The more flexible you are on location, the more likely you are to go where current demand takes you—and that often means a higher tele nurse salary.
1) California
Average Weekly Pay Range: $2,500 – $3,000
Average Monthly Pay Range: $10,000 – 12,000
Average Annual Pay Range: $130,000 – $156,000
2) Ohio
Average Weekly Pay Range: $2,400 – $2,600
Average Monthly Pay Range: $9,600 – 10,400
Average Annual Pay Range: $124,800 – $135,200
3) New York
Average Weekly Pay Range: $2270 – $2,500
Average Monthly Pay Range: $9,080 – $10,000
Average Annual Pay Range: $118,040 – 130,000
4) North Carolina
Average Weekly Pay Range: $2,000 – $2,400
Average Monthly Pay Range: $8,000 – $9,600
Average Annual Pay Range: $104,000 – $124,800
5) Massachusetts
Average Weekly Pay Range: $2,000 – $2,300
Average Monthly Pay Range: $8,000 – $9,200
Average Annual Pay Range: $104,000 – $119,600
6) Missouri
Average Weekly Pay Range: $2,000 – $2,200
Average Monthly Pay Range: $8,000 – $8,800
Average Annual Pay Range: $104,000 – $114,00
7) Connecticut
Average Weekly Pay Range: $2,000 – $2,200
Average Monthly Pay Range: $8,000 – $8,800
Average Annual Pay Range: $104,000 – $114,00
8) Texas
Average Weekly Pay Range: $1,600 – $2,100
Average Monthly Pay Range: $6,400 – $8,400
Average Annual Pay Range: $83,200 – $109,200
9) Indiana
Average Weekly Pay Range: $1850 – $2,050
Average Monthly Pay Range: $7,400 – $8,200
Average Annual Pay Range: $96,200 – $106,600
10) Pennsylvania
Average Weekly Pay Range: $1,500 – $2,000
Average Monthly Pay Range: $6,000 – $8,000
Average Annual Pay Range: $78,000 – $104,000
* Estimated pay and benefits packages based on current job data. Bill rates can change frequently and without notice. Exact pay and benefits package may vary based on several factors, including, but not limited to, guaranteed hours, travel distance, demand, experience, eligibility, etc.
Highest Demand Tele RN States 2024
1) Ohio
Current Open Jobs: 165
2) North Carolina
Current Open Jobs: 84
3) Missouri
Current Open Jobs: 95
4) California
Current Open Jobs: 72
5) Massachusetts
Current Open Jobs: 71
6) Texas
Current Open Jobs: 61
7) New York
Current Open Jobs: 47
8) Pennsylvania
Current Open Jobs: 34
9) Arizona
Current Open Jobs: 33
10) Connecticut
Current Open Jobs: 31
Your experience level 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 must 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.
An ADN takes two years, while a BSN takes four years and includes more advanced coursework. Both prepare students for the NCLEX exam. Passing the NCLEX is required 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 reveals 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 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 guarantees 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 confirms 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 as 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 any 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, in order to provide comprehensive care for your patients. Tele nurses are responsible for providing clear instructions to patients and family members on how to use telemetry equipment and interpret data.
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.
Telemetry vs. Med Surg: What’s the Difference?
As with stepdown nursing, med surg has unique responsibilities in the healthcare field. Telemetry patients have increased critical care needs and require constant cardiac monitoring, while med surg nursing calls for broader care for adult patients experiencing a variety of health conditions.
Travel nurses working in med surg have access to a diverse clinical skill set and exposure to various medical issues. For those seeking more specialized cardiac care experience, telemetry jobs offer this.
Both specialties provide opportunities for travel nursing, enabling clinicians to explore healthcare settings based on their interests. Travel telemetry tech and being part of a telemetry unit gives travelers unique expertise in this area, exposing them to high-acuity care.