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Registered Nurse-ICU Part Time Nights

Northwestern Medicine · McHenry, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 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 patient who deteriorated on your shift. What did you notice first?

What they are checking: Early recognition, which is the whole value of an ICU nurse.

Tell me about a time you questioned an order.

What they are checking: Whether they will speak up, which is the most protective thing a nurse does.

What do you do after a shift where a patient died?

What they are checking: Whether they have a way of carrying this work, which decides whether they last.

Why ICU, and why nights?

What they are checking: Whether both were chosen deliberately, which usually predicts how long they stay.

What would you do

How do you decide when to call the physician overnight?

What they are checking: Escalation judgment when calling means waking someone, which is where nurses hesitate.

How do you talk to a family who is being asked to make a decision about withdrawing care?

What they are checking: Presence in the hardest conversation in the unit.

The posting names recognizing signs of abuse or neglect. How do you approach that?

What they are checking: Whether they know what to look for and what their obligation is.

About the work

Tell me about your critical care experience. What is the sickest patient you have cared for?

What they are checking: Whether the ICU experience is real, and at what acuity.

Walk me through your assessment of a patient at the start of a night shift.

What they are checking: Whether they have a systematic approach rather than checking the monitor.

How do you hand over a complex patient at the end of a night?

What they are checking: Handover, which is where critical patients are most often harmed.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

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 • Additional Preferences for the Emergency Room and the Pediatric Emergency Room • Trauma Nurse Specialist (TNS) • Emergency Communications Registered Nurse • Certified Pediatric Nurse • Certified Emergency Nurse 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. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more. Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): 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 at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.

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