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Registered Nurse Inpatient Post Surgical Care Unit Full Time Nights

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

Posted Sep 23, 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 prevented a post-op complication like a fall, a clot or pneumonia. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they actively push early mobility and prevention rather than treating complications once they happen.

Tell me about a patient or family member who was frustrated with their recovery. How did you handle the conversation?

What they are checking: Whether they can listen and set expectations without becoming defensive when someone is scared or in pain.

What has your experience been with shared governance or a unit project, and what would you want to work on here?

What they are checking: Whether they see themselves as someone who improves the unit, not just someone who works shifts on it.

What would you do

It is 3 a.m. and you need to call the surgeon about a patient who is getting worse. How do you prepare for that call?

What they are checking: Whether they organize an SBAR clearly enough to get action from a tired physician on nights.

You work nights. How do you balance letting post-op patients rest with all the assessments and meds they need?

What they are checking: Whether they cluster care thoughtfully, since sleep affects healing and delirium risk.

How do you direct a patient care tech during a busy admission when three post-op patients arrive close together?

What they are checking: Whether they can delegate clearly and prioritize when the unit gets hit with multiple admissions at once.

About the work

Your post-surgical patient is two hours out from a bowel resection and their heart rate has climbed from 88 to 118. Walk me through what you do.

What they are checking: Whether they think about bleeding, pain and early sepsis in order instead of just retaking the vitals later.

How do you assess and manage pain for a fresh post-op patient while watching for over-sedation from opioids?

What they are checking: Whether they balance comfort with safety, using sedation scales and respiratory checks, not just pain scores.

What do you look for when you assess a surgical incision and drains during your shift?

What they are checking: Whether they know the specific early signs of infection, dehiscence or bleeding at the site.

How do you start teaching for discharge with a patient who just had surgery and may go home in a day or two?

What they are checking: Whether they begin education early and check understanding, because short stays leave little time to teach.

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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. 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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