JobsAdvocate Health

Nurse Extern II - Cardiac Surgical Step Down - December 2026 Grads - St. Luke's

Advocate Health · Milwaukee, WI

Posted Sep 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

Apply at Advocate Health

Likely interview questions for this role

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

Behavioral

Tell me about a clinical rotation where you had to manage more than one patient at a time. How did you decide what to do first?

whether the candidate can prioritize and organize care under real time pressure, not just in theory

Tell me about a time you noticed something wasn't right with a patient and had to speak up to a nurse or instructor.

willingness to escalate concerns and communicate clearly with supervising staff

Tell me about a time your assigned plan for a shift got interrupted or completely changed. How did you handle it?

adaptability in a fast-paced, high-acuity environment

Describe a time you had to give a nurse a clear, organized update on a patient. What did you include?

communication skills using something like SBAR, since accurate handoff is central to the role

What made you interested in cardiac surgical step down specifically, rather than another unit?

genuine fit and motivation, since Advocate is hoping to hire this person back as a new grad RN on this same unit

Technical

Walk me through how you would take a full set of vital signs and blood glucose readings on a patient, and what you would report to the RN versus handle yourself.

understanding of scope of practice and the line between extern tasks and RN-only decisions

This unit cares for patients before and after heart surgery, heart transplant, or VAD placement. What do you already know about caring for a cardiac surgical patient that you'd bring in on day one?

baseline cardiac knowledge from med-surg coursework and genuine interest in the specialty

How do you go about delegating a task to a nursing assistant or health unit coordinator, or is that new to you?

early development of delegation skills, which the posting specifically calls out

Situational

Say you're helping reposition or transfer a patient who weighs close to 150 pounds and needs a sliding transfer. What would you do to keep both of you safe?

awareness of proper body mechanics and when to ask for a second person

An RN asks you to administer a medication you haven't given before. What do you say and do?

honesty about limits, comfort saying no, and understanding that competency is evaluated before delegation

If a patient suddenly became unresponsive or coded while you were in the room, what would you do given that you're an extern, not an RN?

understanding of role boundaries in emergencies and staying useful without overstepping

You have eight hours a week here until you graduate, on top of school. How do you plan to stay consistent and keep learning the unit's routines over that time?

realistic commitment to the part-time schedule and self-directed learning between shifts

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Advocate Health from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: Status: Part time Benefits Eligible: No Hou rs Per Week: 8 Schedule Details/Additional Information: 8 hrs a week required until graduation Pay Range: $21.85 - $32.80 Nurse Extern opportunity Cardiac Surgical Unit at St. Luke's for December 2 026 grads Start your journey with us as a Nurse Extern and build the foundation for a smooth transition into a nursing role after graduation. As a Newly Licensed RN, you’ll have the opportunity to join the same supportive team you trained with during your externship, making your move into professional practice more comfortable, familiar, and confident. 9ST is a 48 bed Adult Moderate Acuity Cardiovascular Surgical unit. Working closely with the CVICU, we provide care to those patients needing specialty services before and after their heart surgery, heart transplant and/or ventricular assist device (VAD). This is a high acuity fast-paced environment that offers many experiences and educational opportunities to nursing students. Must be available to start September/October 2026 8 hrs a week required. Med Surg and pharmacology courses completed - Unofficial transcript required at time of offer. Major Responsibilities: • Under the observation of the Registered Nurse, completes activities of daily living, vital sign completion and blood glucose monitoring. • Collaborates with the Registered Nurse in establishing a plan of care based upon an analysis of health, education and developmental needs and patient/family preferences. • Under the observation of the Registered Nurse, evaluates patient response to interventions and effectively communicates observations and patient needs to the Registered Nurse. • Develops delegation skills appropriate to Health Unit Coordinators, Nursing Assistants and technical roles on unit. • Administers medication as delegated by the Registered Nurse. The level of clinical judgment and proficiency of skill must be evaluated prior to medication administration. • Manages an increased number of patients and incorporates principles of time management into shift routine. • Demonstrates an ability to collect and synthesize relevant patient data accurately identifying patient status and needs. • In emergency situations and under appropriate supervision of a Registered Nurse, participates in activities they have demonstrated knowledge and skill in. • Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique. • Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required: • None Required. Education Required: • Currently enrolled in an accredited or approved program in Nursing. Experience Required: • Nursing Assistant certification preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Current enrollment (in final year) or graduate of an accredited nursing program. • Successful completion of a Medical Surgical Course that includes pharmacological concepts. • Good interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt to interruptions and changing priorities/workload necessary. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, and reach above shoulders during the work shift. • Must be able to: • lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist. • lift up to 20 lbs. over the head. • carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance. • Must be able to: • - push/pull with 30 lbs. of force. • - perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present. • Will be required to use foot pedals on carts or machines. • Must have functional vision and hearing. • Will be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and radiation hazards as well as blood and body fluids on a continuous basis; therefore, protective clothing must be worn as necessary. • Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

Apply at Advocate Health

Related jobs

Physical Therapist (PT) - Acute Care and Emergency

Advocate Health · Elgin, IL

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Medical Assistant (MA)/LPN - OB/GYN

Advocate Health · Franklin, WI

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Family Medicine - Full Time

Advocate Health · Summit, WI

Posted Sep 19 · Verified Sep 20

Registered Nurse (RN) - Orland Park

Advocate Health · Orland Park, IL

Posted Sep 18 · Verified Sep 20

GI Scheduler

Advocate Health · Chicago, IL

Posted Sep 18 · Verified Sep 20

Supervisor Clinical Physician Practice (Orland Park)

Advocate Health · Orland Park, IL

Posted Sep 18 · Verified Sep 20