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Registered Nurse-Cardiac-ICU Full-Time Nights

Northwestern Medicine · Winfield, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 28, 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 you caught a problem with a patient before the numbers showed it.

What they are checking: Whether they combine data with bedside assessment and act on early clinical clues.

How do you support a family who is scared after their loved one's heart surgery?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain the ICU in plain words and include family in care.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a provider's plan for a critically ill patient.

What they are checking: Whether they can advocate firmly with clear reasoning and use the chain of command if needed.

What would you do

Your patient's chest tube output jumps to 200 mL in an hour and the blood pressure is dropping. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize bleeding or tamponade quickly and escalate without delay.

A patient goes into a new arrhythmia at 3am. Talk me through your response.

What they are checking: Whether they assess stability first and follow ACLS or protocol steps calmly.

You work nights. How do you make sure a critical issue gets the right attention when the team is smaller?

What they are checking: Whether they use the escalation chain confidently and do not wait for day shift.

About the work

Walk me through how you would receive a fresh open-heart patient from the OR.

What they are checking: Whether they know the immediate post-op priorities, like hemodynamics, bleeding, rhythm and lines, in a safe order.

How do you titrate vasoactive drips, and how do you decide when to call instead of keep adjusting?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the drugs they titrate and know their limits within the orders.

Tell me about your experience with devices like an intra-aortic balloon pump, temporary pacing wires or arterial lines.

What they are checking: How much cardiac ICU equipment they can manage on their own on night shift.

How do you prevent delirium in an older cardiac surgery patient during the night?

What they are checking: Whether they use sleep protection, reorientation and early mobility rather than relying on sedation.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

Registered Nurse-Cardiac-ICU Full-Time Nights The Staff Nurse Inpatient reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. A clinically competent, registered, professional nurse who prescribes, delegates and coordinates nursing care to the acutely ill patient through the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation and evaluation. Effectively interacts with patient, significant others, and other health team members, while maintaining ANA standards of professional nursing practice. Responsibilities: • Collects and analyzes data, identifies expected outcomes, develops and implements an individualized plan, coordinates care delivery and evaluates progress toward attainment of outcomes. • Directs care and determines the appropriate utilization of any assistant involved in providing direct patient care. • Collaborates with patient, family, physicians and ancillary staff. Creates a documented plan, focused on outcomes and decisions related to the care and delivery of services that indicates communications with patients, families, and others. • Participates in shared governance, committee work, and unit projects. • Evaluates and documents the patient’s responses to nursing interventions in the health record and properly individualizes the plan of care based on the evaluation of findings. • Utilizes the best available evidence, including research findings to guide practice decisions. Required : • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) • Current State of Illinois Registered Professional Nurse • American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) • Strong interpersonal skills • Ability to collaborate with others • Strong analytic abilities *Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) acceptable with commitment to obtain a BSN from an accredited program within three years of first day of employment in clinical nurse role. Preferred: • Experience in specific clinical area • Two years of Intensive Care Unit experience Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.

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