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Registered Nurse - Ambulatory Surgery

SSM Health · IL · $31.21–$49.94 an hour · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 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 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.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by SSM Health.

It's more than a career, it's a calling. IL-SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital - Mount Vernon Worker Type: Regular Pay Range: $31.21 - $49.94 Pay Rate Type: Hourly SSM Health values the skills and talents that each team member brings to our organization. Compensation for this role is based on a variety of components including relevant experience, labor market, and other qualifications. The posted pay range for this position is what SSM Health reasonably expects, in good faith, to offer based on the circumstances at the time of posting. SSM Health may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law. Job Summary: Assesses, plans, coordinates, implements and evaluates nursing care for surgical patients. Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Accepts patient care assignments as directed. Communicates with clinical area team members appropriately. Correctly conducts all appropriate nursing aspects of patient assessment while using subjective and objective data. • Communicates effectively with patients to assess their knowledge of surgical/invasive procedure(s) and expectations. Adheres to universal protocol. • Involves patient/significant others in their plan of care, education, discharge planning, and prioritization of needs. Utilizes available teaching resources as appropriate, and identifies/refers patients/families as appropriate. • Plans for patient care and/or intervenes by demonstrating basic nursing skills, observing and accurately documenting patient's response to nursing care, utilizing available teaching resources as appropriate, maintaining a safe environment. • Evaluates care by conducting ongoing assessments to identify effectiveness of interventions, performing post-op calls following surgical procedures, and analyzing verbal responses from patient and family during hospitalization. • Makes competent clinical decisions and displays the ability to know when to involve management or other team members. Assists in all areas of surgical services as needed. • Provides information to the physician related to changes in the conditions of patients in a timely manner. Documents the care given to patients and their response to care in a timely manner. • Correctly and efficiently administers medications, treatments, and nursing interventions as per hospital policy. • Applies the existing body of evidence-based practice and scientific knowledge in health care to surgical nursing practice, ensuring that nursing care is delivered based on patient’s age-specific needs and clinical needs as described in the department's Scope of Service. • Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. • Performs other duties as assigned. EDUCATION • Graduate of accredited school of nursing or education equivalency for licensing EXPERIENCE • No experience required PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Constant use of speech to share information through oral communication. • Constant standing and walking. • Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs. • Frequent sitting, reaching and keyboard use/data entry. • Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors. • Frequent use of smell to detect/recognize odors. • Frequent use of hearing to receive oral communication, distinguish body sounds and/or hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc. • Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs. • Occasional lifting/moving of patients. • Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting, gripping and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements. • Occasional driving. • Rare crawling and running. REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS State of Work Location: Illinois • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • Registered Professional Nurse (RN) - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) State of Work Location: Missouri • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • Registered Nurse (RN) - Missouri Division of Professional Registration • Or • Registered Nurse (RN) Issued by Compact State State of Work Location: Oklahoma • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • Registered Nurse (RN) Issued by Compact State • Or • Registered Nurse (RN) - Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) State of Work Location: Wisconsin • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • Registered Nurse (RN) Issued by Compact State • Or • Registered Nurse (RN) - Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Work Shift: Day Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 4419000046 Procedure Center Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 SSM Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SSM Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Click here to learn more.

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