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Pre & Post Anesthesia Recovery RN

ThedaCare · Neenah, WI · Part time

Posted Sep 21, 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

Tell me about your background in pre-op, PACU or critical care, and why recovery nursing appeals to you.

What they are checking: Whether they bring the assessment and airway skills recovery nursing depends on.

Tell me about a time a patient in recovery became unstable. What happened and what did you do?

What they are checking: Calm response under pressure and knowing when to call anesthesia or the surgeon.

What would you do

A patient's surgery is delayed for hours and they are hungry and upset. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Empathy and clear communication when they cannot fix the delay themselves.

A patient refuses to wait for their ride and wants to drive home. What do you do?

What they are checking: Holding the line on safe discharge after anesthesia while respecting the patient.

How do you stay organized when several patients are recovering at once?

What they are checking: Workflow habits and prioritization that keep every patient monitored safely.

About the work

Walk me through how you receive a patient from anesthesia and what you check in the first five minutes.

What they are checking: A fast, structured first assessment that catches problems from anesthesia early.

A patient has a history of sleep apnea. What do you do differently in both pre-op and recovery?

What they are checking: Planning around a known airway risk from admission through discharge.

How do you decide when a patient in recovery needs more pain medication versus watching and waiting?

What they are checking: Balancing comfort and sedation risk with scoring tools and careful reassessment.

How do you check that a diabetic patient is safe for surgery and recovery?

What they are checking: Monitoring blood sugar and understanding how fasting and stress affect diabetic patients.

What makes a good handoff to the floor or to a family member taking the patient home?

What they are checking: Clear communication that keeps the next caregiver from missing something important.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by ThedaCare.

Why ThedaCare? Living A Life Inspired! Our new vision at ThedaCare is bold, ambitious, and ignited by a shared passion to provide outstanding care. We are inspired to reinvent health care by becoming a proactive partner in health, enriching the lives of all and creating value in everything we do. Each of us are called to take action in delivering higher standards of care, lower costs and a healthier future for our patients, our families, our communities and our world. At ThedaCare, our team members are empowered to be the catalyst of change through our values of compassion, excellence, leadership, innovation, and agility. A career means much more than excellent compensation and benefits. Our team members are supported by continued opportunities for learning and development, accessible and transparent leadership, and a commitment to work/life balance. If you’re interested in joining a health care system that is changing the face of care and well-being in our community, we encourage you to explore a future with ThedaCare. Benefits , with a whole-person approach to wellness – • Lifestyle Engagement • e.g. health coaches, relaxation rooms, health focused apps (Wonder, Ripple), mental health support • Access & Affordability • e.g. minimal or zero copays, team member cost sharing premiums, daycare About ThedaCare! Summary : The RN Clinical Nurse provides patient-centered, specialized, evidence-based nursing care across the continuum through an interprofessional approach to treatment, research, education, and advocacy. Contributes to the goals of the department by being accountable for the delivery of compassionate and safe care within the scope of practice as defined by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing and ThedaCare policy. Through collaborative practice with members of the care team, is responsible for patient outcomes that meet the high quality of care provided by ThedaCare. Furthers the professional practice of nursing at ThedaCare by promoting a culture of innovation and a commitment to growth and professional development. Job Description: SCHEDULE: • (3) 8-hour shifts one week & (4) 8-hour shifts week two • Start times ranging between 5-2:30p • (7) PM shifts required in a 6-week schedule • Call required 1-2x biweekly and every 7th weekend (Fri-Mon) • Call response time 30 minutes • 1-2 holidays per year required UNIT DETAILS (Prep/PACU-Neenah Hospital): This RN would be prepping for surgical and procedural cases, caring for patient and families while focusing on safety and customer experience. Recovering patients post anesthesia, focusing again on safety, and then either discharging or transferring to another level of care. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: • Utilizes the nursing process, evidence-based practice, and specific competencies to assess the physical condition and nursing needs of patients, and develops a plan of care in a collaborative practice with the patient and interprofessional team. • Plans for the care needs of the patient in collaboration with the interprofessional team to provide the highest quality of care and clinical outcomes. • Demonstrates clinical expertise in the provision of care in the clinical specialty assigned, and performs all functions of the professional clinical nurse (RN), which are age appropriate, developmentally sensitive, and culturally specific. • Identifies ways to improve the patient’s experience of care, streamline care processes, and lower costs while promoting quality to improve patient, family, and team member satisfaction. • Contributes to a professional environment that encourages mentoring, engagement, and development to retain expert clinicians. • Provides consultation and maintains positive relationships with physicians and other interprofessional team members, collaborating to problem solve and improve patient care. • Demonstrates, anticipates, and proactively manages risk to prevent crises. 8. Performs skillfully in life threatening emergencies, matching demands and resources during crises situations. QUALIFICATIONS: • Current Wisconsin RN Licensure • American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) • Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) required • Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) preferred ThedaCare Regional Medical Center – Appleton & Neenah, Operating Rooms: • American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) within 6 months of hire date • American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) within 6 months of hire date PHYSICAL DEMANDS: • Ability to move freely (standing, stooping, walking, bending, pushing, and pulling) and lift up to a maximum of Fifty (50) pounds without assistance • Job classification is exposed to blood borne pathogens (blood or bodily fluids) while performing job duties • Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to perform patient care procedures WORK ENVIRONMENT: • Frequent exposure to sharp objects and instruments • Occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock • Occasional high noise level in work environment • Standing and/or walking for extended periods of time • Transporting, transferring, positioning patients and/or equipment from one location to another; little likelihood for injury if proper body mechanics and procedures are followed • Possible exposure to communicable diseases, hazardous materials, and pharmacological agents • Occasional contact with aggressive and or combative patients. Scheduled Weekly Hours: 28 Scheduled FTE: 0.7 Location: ThedaCare Regional Medical Center - Neenah - Neenah,Wisconsin Overtime Exempt: No Worker Shift Details: Days

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