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Registered Nurse-ICU Part Time Nights

Northwestern Medicine · Palos Heights, 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.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

At this time, Palos Hospital is not considering external ADN candidates for our RN openings. We appreciate your interest in Northwestern Medicine and encourage you to apply to other opportunities at https://jobs.nm.org/ . Internal ADN candidates are still encouraged to apply. The Staff Nurse 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. • The registered professional nurse assumes accountability and responsibility for the individualized, age-specific care of a patient along the continuum from admission to discharge. She/He gives direct care to assigned patients and assists with other patient care when necessary. The registered professional nurse’s decisions and actions on behalf of the patient/family are determined in an ethical manner. She/He collects and analyzes the assessment data in determining nursing diagnoses, collaborates with the patient/family and other health care team members, develops a plan of care to attain realistic outcomes, provides education founded on evidence-based practice, and systematically evaluates the quality and effectiveness of nursing practice. Responsibilities: • Assess and records patient status and identifies patient care needs upon admission/point of care entry. • Organizes the assessment health data so that it is accurate, complete and accessible. • Identifies problems that need immediate attention. • Validates diagnoses with patient/family and other health care team members. • Documents diagnoses in a manner that facilitates the determination of expected outcomes and plan of care. • Initiates Problem List at the time of admission and updates as needed. Incorporates principles of age-specific care into the patient’s plan of care. • Documents that the patient’s individualized plan of care has been discussed with and agreed upon by the patient/family. • Begins plans for discharge at time of admission; consults with patient/family and health care team members regarding discharge plan. • Identifies patient teaching needs on admission and throughout hospital stay. • Arranges conferences with patient and/or family and other members of health team when indicated to plan care. • Prioritizes and organizes nursing interventions that are evidence based and reflective of established standards of care. • Provides individualized, mutually agreeable, patient and family education that is founded on evidence-based practice and research guidelines. • Documents all assessments, interventions and patient responses. • Reviews consistently the patient’s health data to keep the Plan of Care updated. • Assures that revisions to the plan of care are systematic and ongoing and are driven by measurable realistic goals. • Documents the patient’s progression toward identified outcomes • Identifies unmet outcomes and provides direction for continuity of care. • Reassesses nursing actions for effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes. • Communicates with patient/family and health care team members re: patient care and nursing’s role in the provision of care. • Collaborates with patient/family and healthcare team members re: the patient’s progress/plan of care. • Presents relevant patient information at multidisciplinary meetings/conferences for feedback from peers. • Makes appropriate referrals as needed for continuity of care. 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. • Additional Requirements for the Emergency Room: ACLS, PALS/ENPC & TNCC within one year of hire Additional Requirements for the Pediatric Emergency Room: Pediatric Advanced Life Support TNCC within one year of hire Additional Requirements for Non-Invasive Cardiology: ACLS 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 Preferred: • Experience in specific clinical area. 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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