Telemetry

thenightnurse456 · Jan 7, 2016

A lot of places don't require you to have ACLS to work on a telemetry floor, however being certified will make you more marketable when managers are reviewing your CV.

Good luck.

RescueNinjaKy · Jan 7, 2016

Just a question. Does a ACLS card make you competent, certified, etc. to work a Telemetry floor?

My response is no. Acls is easy to get, and on a telemetry floor you should know the basic rhythms and dysrhythmias, not just the vtach and vfibs.

kalycat, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2016

I work tele. But... Sort of an expanded tele. Fresh open hearts (extubated), vads, transplants, and pretty much everything else cardiac. All vasoactive drips, just no vents or multiple pressors. ICU step down with a cardiac focus; ratios are 1:3.

ACLS doesn't really factor in to the hiring equation. It's a good thing to have, but as previous posters stated it's also easy to get. We also have emergency orders based on our most commonly seen lethal rhythms and emergencies.

Being able to pass a 12 lead test and rhythm test however, does. If a person is found to be a good fit and doesn't have that experience, there are classes available provided by the hospital. We hire new grads on a limited basis, usually if they've done their preceptorship there. ACLS allows nurses on my unit to participate in the code team hospital wide as well as transport patients with a Zoll and emergency meds. As far as duties on the unit, not having it is not a hindrance as it will be rolled in to orientation. Hope that helps.

Bumex, DNP, NP · Jan 8, 2016

ACLS is the basis of life support. It is fairly easy to obtain, much more difficult to exercise in the moment when someone's life is on the line.

Certified? Yes. Competent? No.

I've worked tele and ICU, what really helps is experience to be competent. ACLS is a good start to help show your initiative to get to that floor, but experience is the X factor.

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Jan 8, 2016

My response is no. Acls is easy to get, and on a telemetry floor you should know the basic rhythms and dysrhythmias, not just the vtach and vfibs.

I agree acls is just what to do in a code.... But honestly every floor in my hospital is a tele floor ....we measure the rhythms to confirm the techs interpretation but we have a tech that really watches it for us.

JennaRN,BSN · Jan 12, 2016

I got ACLS certified when I was still in nursing school and it really helped me better understand different concepts in school but not so much interpret strips on the floor during clinicals.