Jobs › Mercyhealth

Graduate Nurse Tech, Intermediate Stepdown Unit - Days

Mercyhealth · Rockford, IL · $17.57–$25.48 an hour · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 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

What do you understand about an intermediate stepdown unit, and why are you interested in starting your career there?

What they are checking: Whether they know stepdown patients can change fast and have chosen the unit on purpose.

Tell me about a time in clinicals you had to speak up about a safety concern.

What they are checking: Whether they will use the chain of command even when they are the newest person on the team.

How do you take feedback from a preceptor and turn it into a change?

What they are checking: Coachability and growth mindset for a new graduate.

What would you do

How would you organize your day caring for four stepdown patients with different needs?

What they are checking: Time management and prioritization for a new nurse with higher acuity patients.

Before you are licensed, there are limits on what you can do. How will you handle a busy nurse asking you to do something outside your role?

What they are checking: Whether they protect scope of practice under pressure from busy colleagues.

What would you do if you realized you made a medication error?

What they are checking: Honesty and immediate reporting, which decide whether an error harms a patient.

About the work

Your patient on a continuous heart monitor suddenly shows a new irregular rhythm. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they check the patient first, then escalate, instead of just looking at the monitor.

A post-op patient's oxygen saturation drops to 88 percent. Walk me through your next steps.

What they are checking: Whether they assess, intervene and call for help in a logical order.

How do you teach a patient going home with a new medication so they actually understand it?

What they are checking: Whether they use teach-back and plain language for patient and family education.

How do you make sure your documentation is complete and accurate during a busy shift?

What they are checking: Whether they chart in real time and to the standard, which protects patients and themselves.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

OVERVIEW The Registered Nurse provides individualized patient care through assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation while administering medications and treatments according to established standards. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary care team, educates patients and families, and uses clinical judgment to support patient safety, quality, and continuity of care. SCHEDULE: 36-hours per week SHIFT: Days ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Utilizes the nursing process and collaborates with interdisciplinary team members in caring for patients. • Administers prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing techniques, policies and procedures, standards of care, and State laws practice act. • Documents according to standards of care. • Performs assessments, planning, intervention, and evaluation of care. • Develops, initiates, and executes a patient plan of care according to the individualized needs of the patient, as prescribed by Physician and or clinic policy including patient and family instruction. • Participates in department or unit performance improvement activities, may include shared governance. • Utilizes clinical expertise and guidance to other units’ departments in support of the patient’s longitudinal plan of care. • Utilizes critical thinking regarding patient safety and patient experience and appropriately escalates to the appropriate chain of command. • Participates in the professional nursing continuum process, unit practice activities and decisions and peer review process. EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE • Graduate of an accredited nursing program. • ADN required upon hire, BSN preferred. • May require specific years of applicable experience to qualify (per department guidelines) CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE • Licensed as an RN in state of practice • Approved CPR/BLS certification required within 90 days • Other certification(s) per unit requirements. For example : ACLS, PALS, PEARS, and NRP OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES May include color blind test (per department guidelines) LEVEL OF SUPERVISION N/A PAY RANGE: $17.57 - $25.48 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including: • Medical, Dental, Vision • Life & Disability Insurance • FSA/HSA Options • Generous, accruing paid time off • Paid Parental and caregiver leave • Career advancement and educational opportunities • Tuition and certification reimbursement • Certification Reimbursement • Well-being Programs • Employee Discounts • On-Demand Pay • Financial Education • Annual recognition/awards events • Partner appreciation days • Family entertainment/attractions discount • Community service/improvement opportunities Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information. At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: • #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

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