Registered Nurse - Ambulatory Surgery
Posted Sep 4, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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.
About your past
Tell me about a time a patient was very anxious before a procedure. What did you do?
What they are checking: Whether they can calm patients by explaining what to expect and setting realistic expectations.
This is a PRN role. How would you keep your skills current when you're not working every week?
What they are checking: Whether they take ownership of staying competent and up to date on policies as a PRN nurse.
What would you do
A patient tells you right before surgery that they took their blood thinner this morning. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they stop and tell the surgeon and anesthesia rather than letting the case go ahead.
A patient in recovery has nausea that won't settle and needs to go home soon. How do you handle that?
What they are checking: Whether they manage symptoms well and don't send a patient home before they're truly ready.
How do you keep a fast-moving surgical schedule on time without cutting corners?
What they are checking: Whether they can be efficient in a high-turnover setting while still following every safety step.
About the work
Walk me through your pre-op assessment for a patient having same-day surgery.
What they are checking: Whether they check NPO status, allergies, meds, consent and vitals to catch problems before surgery.
The posting mentions following universal protocol. What does that mean to you in practice?
What they are checking: Whether they know the steps of verification, site marking and time-out that prevent wrong-site surgery.
How do you know a patient is ready to go home after outpatient surgery?
What they are checking: Whether they use clear discharge criteria for pain, nausea, vitals and having a safe ride home.
Walk me through how you teach a patient and their family about care at home after surgery.
What they are checking: Whether they teach in plain words and check understanding, since patients go home the same day.
You make post-op phone calls to patients. What are you listening for on those calls?
What they are checking: Whether they can spot signs of complications like infection or bleeding over the phone.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by SSM Health.