Nurse Extern II - Cardiac Surgical Step Down - December 2026 Grads - St. Luke's
Posted Sep 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026
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
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As published by Advocate Health.
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