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Graduate Nurse - Registered Nurse - St. Mary's Madison

SSM Health · WI · Full time

Posted Sep 10, 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

St. Mary's has graduate openings in med surg, cardiovascular, neuro and short stay. Which interests you most, and why?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real reason for their choice and understand what that unit involves.

Tell me about a time you had too much to do and had to decide what could wait.

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize with patient safety first, a core skill for new nurses.

How will you know when you need to ask for help as a new graduate?

What they are checking: Whether they can sense their limits and speak up, which keeps new nurses safe.

Tell me about the hardest feedback you got in nursing school and what you did with it.

What they are checking: Whether they are coachable, which matters most during the residency year.

Why St. Mary's Madison to start your career?

What they are checking: Whether they've thought about this hospital and plan to stay and grow.

What would you do

A short stay patient is ready to go home but their ride won't come until evening. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they balance patient flow with safe discharge and communicate with the team.

A patient's family is upset that pain isn't being controlled. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they reassess, involve the provider and keep the family informed.

About the work

On a neuro unit, what changes in a patient would worry you most?

What they are checking: Whether they know neuro checks and that changes in alertness or pupils need urgent action.

Your post-cardiac cath patient says their groin feels wet and warm. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they suspect bleeding, apply pressure and call for help right away.

Walk me through how you'd give a patient a dose of IV potassium.

What they are checking: Whether they know it's high-alert, must go through a pump and never be pushed.

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 WI-SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison 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. 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 Department: Med Surg, Cardiovascular, Neuro, Short Stay Schedule Options: FT 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) *Please note, benefits and eligibility can vary by position, exclusions may apply. #CoreHire 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 and Oklahoma • 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: 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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