JobsAdvocate Health

Nurse Extern II - Med Surg Ortho December 2026 Grads - Sinai

Advocate Health · Milwaukee, WI

Posted Aug 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 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.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you had to work under a nurse or preceptor's direct supervision and something didn't go quite the way you expected. How did you handle it?

whether the candidate can accept correction and stay coachable in a supervised role

Tell me about a time you had to communicate an observation about a patient to someone more experienced than you. How did you make sure they understood the urgency or detail?

communication skills specifically around handing off patient information accurately

Tell me about a time you had a lot of interruptions or your plan for the day fell apart. How did you get back on track?

adaptability to changing priorities, which the posting explicitly calls out

Describe a situation, in clinicals or otherwise, where you had to care for a patient very different in age or background from what you were used to.

ability to adjust care approach across the age-specific and diverse population this unit serves

Why are you interested in transitioning from extern to new grad RN on this specific unit rather than somewhere else?

genuine interest in staying with the team and committing through the residency program rather than treating this as a stopgap

Technical

What do you remember from your med surg and pharmacology coursework about administering medications safely, and how would you apply that here as an extern under RN observation?

whether foundational pharmacology and safe med administration knowledge is fresh and applicable, since this is a stated job requirement

This unit treats orthopedic, urological, bariatric, general surgical, and medical/telemetry patients. What do you know about caring for a post-op ortho patient differently from a bariatric surgical patient?

exposure to and understanding of the specific patient populations on this unit

This role involves lifting up to 50 pounds, sliding transfers of 150 pounds with a second person, and pushing carts with force. Tell me about your comfort level and any experience with patient positioning or transfers.

physical readiness and awareness of proper body mechanics for the job's demands

Situational

Walk me through how you would prioritize your tasks if you had four patients on 4 Center, one just came back from surgery, one needs a blood glucose check, and a family member is asking you questions at the same time.

basic time management and prioritization skills for a med surg caseload

If you noticed a change in a patient's condition that seemed off but you weren't fully sure it mattered, what would you do?

willingness to escalate uncertainty rather than guess or stay silent

How would you go about delegating a task to a nursing assistant or health unit coordinator on this floor, given you're still developing those skills?

early understanding of scope of practice and delegation, a named responsibility in the posting

If you're mid-shift and realize you're falling behind on your assigned tasks because a patient situation escalated, what do you do next?

judgment about when to ask for help versus push through alone

Practice this interview out loud.

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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, Must be available to start September 2026.   Pay Range: $21.85 - $32.80 Nurse Extern opportunity - Med Surg Ortho for December 2 026 grads at Aurora Sinai.   Start as a nurse extern and transition to a nursing position post graduation. Start your nursing career as a Newly Licensed RN with the same team you had the opportunity to work during your externship. This will make your transition an easier one with less ambiguities.   4 Center is the surgical unit at Aurora Sinai; treating orthopedic, urological, bariatric and general surgical patients, along with medical/telemetry patients. This is a fully staffed unit, no agency, no travelers with all staff committed to developing the next generation of nurses! 8 hrs a week required. Med Surg and pharmacology courses completed - Unofficial transcript required at time of offer. Post graduation - Advocate Aurora Health provides a leading-edge ANCC accredited residency program with your future in mind. The New Graduate Nurse Residency Program is evidence-based and support the professional development, confidence, and overall well-being of the nurse resident as they transition from academia to the practice setting. 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: • No experience required. 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.

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