RN - Telemetry

Unit Notes


Staffing and Scheduling
• Nurse to Patient Ratios: 1:5 during the 7 AM shift and 1:6 during the 7 PM shift
• Charge Nurse: Present on every shift and takes an assignment; often included in staffing but not the primary goal
• Nurse Aids/Patient Care Technicians: Present with a ratio of about 12-15 patients per technician; duties include taking vitals, bathing, blood glucose monitoring, phlebotomy, and assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Scheduling: Both self-scheduling and block scheduling are allowed
• Weekend and Holiday Requirements: Nurses work every other weekend or less; holiday shifts are assigned on a rotation basis
• Call or Standby: On-call is required as a last resort for travelers
• Floating Requirements: Nurses are required to float as needed [3] [4]

Certifications and Skills
• Required Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
• Experience: Nurses must have experience or skills in medical cardiac care
• Drip Management: Registered Nurses (RNs) are required to titrate drips
• Common Drips: Amiodarone (Amio), Heparin (Hep), Insulin, Cardizem [5] [6]

Patient and Clinical Information
• Common Diagnoses: Medical cardiac conditions, specifically congestive heart failure (CHF)
• Respiratory Therapy Equipment: Use of High Flow oxygen and BiPAP for less than 24 hours; RNs are not required to manage these beyond troubleshooting
• Telemetry Monitoring: No on-unit Tele/Monitor Technicians; virtual monitoring is used and RNs are responsible for reading their own ECG strips; Client telemetrymonitors are used [7] [8]

Orientation and Dress Code
• Orientation: Unit-specific orientation lasts for 3 shifts
• Scrub Color: Navy blue scrubs are worn by staff [9] [10]

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