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Graduate Nurse Opportunities

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

Posted Sep 17, 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

These graduate openings are on many units but not Family Birthplace, Women's Services or ICU. What kind of unit are you hoping for, and why?

What they are checking: Whether they've thought about where they'd fit and can explain it honestly.

Tell me about a time you worked with a team to care for a patient during clinicals.

What they are checking: Whether they see nursing as teamwork and value input from aides, therapists and others.

How do you plan to keep learning during the twelve-month residency?

What they are checking: Whether they're committed to growth and will use the program's monthly sessions well.

Tell me about a time you advocated for a patient's needs.

What they are checking: Whether they are ready to speak up for patients, even as a new nurse.

How do you manage stress during long shifts and still give good care at the end?

What they are checking: Whether they have real self-care habits, since burnout is common in the first year.

What would you do

How would you prioritize care for five patients at the start of a 7a to 7p shift?

What they are checking: Whether they use a clear method, such as ABCs and unstable patients first, rather than room order.

A preceptor does something differently from how you were taught in school. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they ask respectfully and check policy rather than either copying blindly or arguing.

You're working nights. Your patient is confused and says they want to go home now. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they assess for causes of confusion and use safety steps while calling for help.

About the work

Your patient's oxygen saturation drops to 86 percent. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they act fast with positioning, oxygen and assessment and call for help when needed.

What are the key things you check before giving a blood transfusion?

What they are checking: Whether they know two-person checks, baseline vitals and how to spot a reaction.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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: 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. The nurse residency program classes consists of monthly four-hour virtual sessions held over a twelve-month period. Our opportunities exclude the following: Family Birthplace, Women's Services, and Intensive Care Unit. Eligibility: • Graduate of an accredited nursing program • Eligible to practice as determined by State Board of Nursing • One year experience or less working as an RN Sign-On Bonus Eligible! Schedule Options: Full Time Schedule Time Options: 7a-7p, 7p-7a Benefits : Competitive, affordable health insurance including but not limited to: • Getting paid every day! • Access up to $5,250 in tuition coverage per year • Paid maternity & paternity coverage • Adoption assistance • Various competitive health insurance options & wellness plans • Retirement benefits including employer matching plans • Long & short-term disability • Employee assistance programs (EAP) Our Process: After applying, you will receive an email to schedule time to speak with a recruiter. Our recruiter will help answer questions about our Graduate Nurse Residency Program and the areas actively hiring Graduate Nurses. You will be set up to interview and shadow your area(s) of interest. After your interview and shadow, our recruiter will share feedback in a timely manner. 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) • 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 • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • FUTURE - Status of Fail on The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses within 3 months of graduation date - Pearson VUE State of Work Location: Oklahoma • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • Registered Nurse (RN) Issued by Compact State within 6 months • Or • FUTURE - Registered Nurse (RN) within 6 months - Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) • Or • FUTURE - Status of Fail on The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses within 3 months of graduation date - Pearson VUE • And • FUTURE - Registered Nurse (RN) within 6 months - Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) State of Work Location: Wisconsin • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • FUTURE - Status of Fail on The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses within 3 months of graduation date - Pearson VUE • And • WI Nursing Temporary Permit - State of Wisconsin Work Shift: Variable Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 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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