Registered Nurse, ICU - Days
Posted Sep 21, 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 the sickest patient you've cared for. What did you do that made a difference?
What they are checking: Whether they have real critical care judgment and can describe their own actions, not just the team's.
Tell me about a time you had to push back on a physician's order in the ICU.
What they are checking: Whether they advocate for patient safety and follow the chain of command when they are concerned.
What would you do
How do you keep track of multiple drips, labs and assessments on two critical patients on nights?
What they are checking: Whether they have a system for organizing high-acuity care so nothing slips during a 12-hour night.
A family wants everything done for a patient who is clearly dying. How do you support them?
What they are checking: Whether they can handle end-of-life conversations with compassion and involve the doctor and chaplain appropriately.
A patient on the floor is being brought up by rapid response. What do you do in the first ten minutes after arrival?
What they are checking: Whether they can receive an unstable patient quickly and prioritize airway, lines and monitoring.
The posting says you'll support other units with your clinical expertise. How would you help a floor nurse with a patient getting worse?
What they are checking: Whether they share critical care knowledge with other units respectfully and in a useful way.
This position is in Freeport or Janesville at a community hospital. How do you handle cases that might need transfer to a higher level of care?
What they are checking: Whether they understand stabilizing and preparing a patient for transfer when resources are more limited.
About the work
Your septic patient's MAP drops to 58 on norepinephrine. Walk me through what you check and what you do.
What they are checking: Whether they know vasopressor titration and how to escalate when a patient is not responding.
How do you manage a patient on a ventilator who suddenly desaturates?
What they are checking: Whether they work through a structured approach like DOPE and call respiratory therapy quickly.
What sedation and delirium checks do you do on a vented patient, and why do they matter?
What they are checking: Whether they know sedation vacations and delirium screening shorten ventilator days and ICU stays.
How do you prevent central line infections and pressure injuries in your patients?
What they are checking: Whether they follow bundles every time, since these harms are preventable and closely tracked.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Mercyhealth.