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Registered Nurse - Cardiovascular Care Unit

SSM Health · WI · Part time

Posted Sep 4, 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

The posting describes complex assessments and interventions. Tell me about a time your assessment changed the plan of care.

What they are checking: Whether their careful assessment actually leads to action for the patient.

Tell me about a time you worked with a team during a cardiac emergency.

What they are checking: Whether they stay calm and know their role during a code or rapid response.

What would you do

This is a full-time night role. What's different about caring for cardiac patients at night?

What they are checking: Whether they understand fewer resources are around and they must catch problems early.

A family member keeps asking questions you can't answer. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they stay honest and connect families to the right person instead of guessing.

About the work

Walk me through how you care for a patient the night after open heart surgery.

What they are checking: Whether they know the key risks like bleeding, arrhythmias and low blood pressure after cardiac surgery.

Your patient's chest tube output suddenly increases a lot. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize possible bleeding and notify the surgeon right away with the right information.

Your patient develops new chest pain at 3 a.m. What are your next steps?

What they are checking: Whether they get an EKG fast, assess the patient and call the provider without delay.

How do you manage a patient on drips like nitroglycerin, amiodarone or a vasopressor?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to titrate safely and what to watch for with each drug.

How do you teach a heart patient about their medications and lifestyle before they go home?

What they are checking: Whether they can teach clearly so patients avoid coming back to the hospital.

How do you prevent complications like infection or blood clots in heart surgery patients?

What they are checking: Whether prevention is part of their routine, like early walking and wound care.

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 WI-SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison Worker Type: Regular Job Highlights: Join a team where your work matters—every moment, every patient, every community. At SSM Health, you'll be empowered to grow, supported to thrive, and inspired to make a lasting impact. In this role, you will provide hands-on support in a fast-paced care environment where every shift makes a direct impact on patients and families. Your attention to detail, compassion, and ability to work closely with clinical teams will help create a safer, smoother care experience. If you enjoy interacting with patients and want to grow in a collaborative care setting, this role is perfect for you. Department: Stepdown / Critical Care Schedule: Part-Time (24 hours per week) Nights Apply today. SSM Health – We bring out the incredible in you, everyday. Job Summary: Provides direct nursing care in settings where patients require complex assessments and intervention, in accordance with established policies, procedures and protocols of the healthcare organization. Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Obtains comprehensive data pertinent to the patient from the patient, family other healthcare providers to develop a holistic picture of the patient’s needs or condition. • Analyzes and synthesizes data from the assessment in determining diagnosis or conditions relevant to care. • Identifies optimal outcomes for the patient in collaboration with the patient, family and interprofessional team. • Develops a plan that prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain outcomes, using clinical judgement in collaboration with patient, family and interprofessional care team. • Implements the plan, employing strategies to promote and maintain a safe environment, coordinates implementation with patient, family and interprofessional team. • Evaluates processes and progress toward attainment of goals and outcomes. • Contributes to the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice, evaluates their own practice, and maintains current knowledge and competence. • Communicates effectively in all areas of practice, collaborates with patient, family and interprofessional team. • Uses clinical inquiry and integrates best evidence into practice. • Applies the existing body of evidence-based practice and scientific knowledge in health care to critical care 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) • And • Advanced Life Support (ALS) - American Heart Association (AHA) • Or • Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) - Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) • Or • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - American Academy Pediatrics (AAP) • Or • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association (AHA) • Or • Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) - Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) • Or • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Essentials - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 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 • And • Advanced Life Support (ALS) - American Heart Association (AHA) • Or • Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) - Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) • Or • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - American Academy Pediatrics (AAP) • Or • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association (AHA) • Or • Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) - Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) • Or • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Essentials - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) State of Work Location: Oklahoma • Basic Life Support HealthCare Provider (BLS HCP) - American Heart Association (AHA) • And • Registered Nurse (RN) Issued by Compact State • And • Registered Nurse (RN) - Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN) • And • Advanced Life Support (ALS) - American Heart Association (AHA) • Or • Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) - Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) • Or • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - American Academy Pediatrics (AAP) • Or • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association (AHA) • Or • Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) - Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) • Or • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Essentials - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 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 • And • Advanced Life Support (ALS) - American Heart Association (AHA) • Or • Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course (ENPC) - Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) • Or • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) - American Academy Pediatrics (AAP) • Or • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association (AHA) • Or • Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) - Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) • Or • Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) Essentials - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Work Shift: Night Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 1005000007 5E Cardiovascular Care Unit Scheduled Weekly Hours: 24 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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