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Graduate Nurse Emergency Department

SSM Health · IL · $31.21–$49.94 an hour · Full time

Posted Aug 27, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Why do you want to start your nursing career in the emergency department?

What they are checking: Whether they understand ED pace and pressure and have thought about why it fits them as a new nurse.

Tell me about a time in clinicals when you felt overwhelmed. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay functional under stress and ask for help, which the ED requires.

How will you use the nurse residency program while working in such a fast setting?

What they are checking: Whether they plan to use the residency for real support and reflection, not just attend sessions.

Tell me about a mistake you made and what you learned from it.

What they are checking: Whether they own errors honestly, which is key for a new nurse in a high-risk area.

How do you plan to handle the emotional weight of trauma or death in the ED?

What they are checking: Whether they have healthy ways to cope and know to use support like debriefs and EAP.

What would you do

How would you decide which of three new arrivals needs you first?

What they are checking: Whether they use airway, breathing and circulation to triage instead of first come, first served.

Your patient becomes aggressive and starts yelling at staff. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they know de-escalation and when to call security to keep everyone safe.

A family member demands updates while you're in the middle of caring for a critical patient. What do you say?

What they are checking: Whether they can set kind boundaries and get the family updated without leaving the patient.

What would you do if you weren't sure how to give a medication ordered in an emergency?

What they are checking: Whether they pause and check with a pharmacist or senior nurse rather than guessing under pressure.

About the work

A patient arrives with slurred speech and one-sided weakness. What do you do first?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize a stroke and know time matters, including last-known-well time and alerting the team.

What are the signs of sepsis, and why does catching it early matter?

What they are checking: Whether they know sepsis criteria and that fast fluids and antibiotics save lives.

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The full job description

As published by SSM Health.

It's more than a career, it's a calling IL-SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mount Vernon Worker Type: Regular Job Highlights: Emergency Department - SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital – Mt. Vernon, IL Eligibility: • Graduate of an accredited nursing program • Eligible to practice as determined by State Board of Nursing • Less than one year of experience working as an RN Being a nurse is more than a job, it’s a calling. That is why SSM Health wants to invest in your future. As a new graduate nurse hired with SSM Health, you will participate in the SSM Health Nurse Residency Program. This will allow you to connect and learn from other graduate nurses across the system as you work to enhance your confidence, knowledge, and practical skill. The residency program is designed to complement your education and support your continued professional growth. Join our team and make a difference every day while enjoying competitive pay, great benefits, and a supportive work environment. We offer competitive, affordable health insurance and benefits designed to support you and your family. Fulfill your calling with SSM Health — apply today! Pay Range: $31.21 - $49.94 Pay Rate Type: Hourly SSM Health values the skills and talents that each team member brings to our organization. Compensation for this role is based on a variety of components including relevant experience, labor market, and other qualifications. The posted pay range for this position is what SSM Health reasonably expects, in good faith, to offer based on the circumstances at the time of posting. SSM Health may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law. Job Summary: Pre-licensure graduate of an accredited nursing program who actively participates in SSM Health New Graduate Nurse Residency Program. Under the direction of RN, provides care to patients within scope of role and professional standards. Responsible for the delivery of age appropriate care for assigned patients with a wide variety of medical conditions. Nurse Residents in the state of Oklahoma can perform responsibilities designated below (Oklahoma). Nurse Residents in Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri can perform all responsibilities listed. Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Under the direction of the RN Preceptor: • Performs delegated tasks based on demonstrated competence in performing nursing care activities for population served. Delegated specialized tasks may include anything for which training was received in the approved nursing program. In the state of Oklahoma, this does not include tasks/skills which must be performed by a licensed nurse. • Performs patient assessments including biophysical, psychosocial, spiritual, cultural, and age appropriate needs of the patients, including the assessment of nutrition, pain management, and signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect in order to develop, evaluate and modify patient's plan of care. • Develops a realistic, comprehensive patient family education plan, using appropriate resources and methods of instruction and provides patient/family health education and coaching. • Completes accurate and timely documentation (Oklahoma), including, but not limited to, the processing of physician orders, in accordance with policies and procedures. Monitors and evaluates delivery of nursing care given by team members based on patient needs and professional judgement. • Collaborates with physicians and other health care professionals regarding all aspects of patient care. • Participates in training to understand and perform patient care. (Oklahoma) • Completes competency requirements satisfactorily. (Oklahoma) • Completes training as required; seeks assistance and asks questions as needed to learn and understand role. (Oklahoma) • As part of the SSM Health nursing department, I will demonstrate the professional nursing standards defined in the professional practice model. Uses the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses to guide his/her response to the current and evolving health and care needs of our patients and our patient populations. (Oklahoma) • Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. (Oklahoma) • Performs other duties as assigned. (Oklahoma) EDUCATION • Graduate of accredited school of nursing or education equivalency for licensing • For Illinois: an official passing score on NCLEX results EXPERIENCE • No experience required REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS State of Work Location: Illinois • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • Or • FUTURE - Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider (BLS HCP) within 90 days - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • FUTURE - Registered Professional Nurse (RN) within 3 months of Official NCLEX Pass Date - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) • And • Official NCLEX Pass Letter - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) State of Work Location: Missouri and Oklahoma • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • Or • FUTURE - Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider (BLS HCP) within 90 days - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • FUTURE - NCLEX results for Registered Nurses must be provided within three months of the graduation date - Pearson VUE • And • FUTURE - NCLEX test date within 30 days - Pearson VUE State of Work Location: Wisconsin • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • Or • FUTURE - Basic Life Support Healthcare Provider (BLS HCP) within 90 days - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • FUTURE - NCLEX results for Registered Nurses must be provided within three months of the graduation date - Pearson VUE • And • FUTURE - NCLEX test date within 30 days - Pearson VUE • And WI Nursing Temporary Permit - State of Wisconsin Work Shift: Night Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 2000000046 Emergency Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36 SSM Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SSM Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Click here to learn more.

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