Exceptional RN Educators: Leading the Way in Telemetry Training

Two of the program’s standout educators, Jessica Hughes and Sarah Snider, have exemplified this mission through their leadership in designing and implementing a new telemetry training program for nursing staff. 

Telemetry education matters because behind every monitor is a Veteran, a person who served, sacrificed, and now relies on staff to recognize when something is wrong. Investing in this training is one of the ways the NPD team honors that trust and ensures that Veterans receive safe, high-quality, and compassionate care.

Telemetry, which is critical for monitoring the heart rhythms of patients with cardiovascular conditions, requires both technical precision and clinical judgment. When Sarah and Jessica identified that a structured telemetry course was not yet available to staff, they took the initiative to build a robust training program from the ground up. Telemetry training has boosted nurses’ confidence, sharpened their advocacy for Veterans, and given them knowledge they had long wanted. Nurses describe feeling more prepared at the bedside and eagerly engaging in new learning opportunities.

Sarah Snider, a board-certified Cardiovascular Registered Nurse and 2004 graduate of the VCU School of Nursing, brought years of specialized experience from her time at VCU’s cardiac stepdown and procedural cardiology units. She served as the Nurse Clinician of cardiology procedural areas before joining the VA in 2023. Her collaborator, Jessica Hughes, is a board-certified Nursing Professional Development Specialist and a 2008 graduate of the Bon Secours School of Nursing. Her clinical career includes roles in cardiac stepdown and cardiac intensive care at St. Francis Medical Center and Chippenham Hospital, followed by service in the VA’s Interventional Pain Clinic before joining the NPD team in 2023.

Their combined expertise made them the ideal duo to design a telemetry course rooted in evidence-based standards and aligned with the VHA Telemetry Guidebook, which outlines best practices across VA facilities. The program now includes both a foundational course for new staff and an ongoing course for current staff, combining classroom learning with hands-on training. It also incorporates annual testing to ensure nurses maintain strong clinical proficiency and confidence in caring for Veterans with cardiac monitoring needs. 

In FY25, they trained 150 nurses across all inpatient telemetry units, excluding the ICUs. In FY26, they are on pace to train more than 200 nurses from all inpatient units, the float pool, ICUs, and the Emergency Department, with plans to expand to procedural areas and any unit providing moderate sedation. 

Sometimes the best examples of impact are the near misses that never become adverse events; the telemetry training reinforces when to call a rapid response, follow ACLS algorithms, or notify a provider immediately, helping prevent progression to cardiac arrest or symptomatic instability. Many of the most meaningful outcomes are quiet successes, when a vigilant nurse recognizes early warning signs and acts before a Veteran’s condition worsens.

“It has been a really satisfying endeavor to develop this program at such a large facility and get everyone on the same page,” Sarah and Jessica shared. “Seeing learners return the next year with increased knowledge and confidence is rewarding. It shows real professional growth.” They both draw deep fulfillment from guiding fellow nurses, finding joy in those moments when a difficult concept finally makes sense and directly enhances Veteran care. By helping nurses recognize subtle, potentially life-saving changes and strengthening a sometimes-overlooked skill set, they feel they are truly empowering their colleagues and honoring the Veterans they serve.

Through their dedication and innovation, Sarah Snider and Jessica Hughes are helping to shape a stronger, more prepared nursing workforce, paving the way for continued excellence in Veteran care at CVHCS.

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