What does a telemetry nurse do?
A telemetry nurse is a registered nurse who monitors patients’ heart rhythms and vital signs on a unit with continuous electronic monitoring, often called a cardiac step-down unit. Patients are sicker than on a general floor but more stable than in intensive care.
Skills
Reading heart rhythms, recognizing early warning signs, giving cardiac medications and calling for help fast. Employers expect ACLS certification, and many hospitals teach rhythm interpretation during orientation.
Certification
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses offers the progressive care certified nurse (PCCN) credential for nurses who care for acutely ill patients on step-down units. It is voluntary.
Pay
Telemetry nurses are not reported separately. The median RN earned $97,550 in May 2025. Many go on to critical care.
Pay and projections: Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCLEX figures: NCSBN. Enrollment: AACN. Sources and years are ondata sources.