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Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit

SSM Health · WI · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 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 had to have a hard conversation with a family about a patient getting worse.

What they are checking: Whether they can be honest and compassionate and know when to bring in the physician or chaplain.

This is part-time, 24 hours a week, mostly days with some nights and every third weekend. How do you handle rotating between days and nights?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay safe and rested when switching shifts, which the role requires.

Tell me about a time you were overwhelmed by a patient's needs. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they ask for help early instead of trying to handle a crashing patient alone.

What would you do

You disagree with a physician's plan for your patient. How do you raise it?

What they are checking: Whether they advocate clearly and respectfully, using data, and escalate if the patient is at risk.

A family is considering moving their loved one to comfort care. How do you support them?

What they are checking: Whether they can guide families through end-of-life choices with kindness and without pushing an answer.

About the work

Walk me through how you care for a medical ICU patient with septic shock in the first few hours.

What they are checking: Whether they know the sepsis bundle and can manage fluids, pressors and close monitoring together.

Your intubated patient's oxygen saturation suddenly drops. What do you check, and in what order?

What they are checking: Whether they troubleshoot systematically, like the DOPE approach, instead of panicking or just turning up the oxygen.

How do you manage sedation and pain for a patient on a ventilator?

What they are checking: Whether they use sedation scales and daily awakening trials instead of keeping patients deeply sedated.

The posting mentions building a holistic picture from the patient, family and other providers. How do you put that together for a patient who can't talk?

What they are checking: Whether they gather information from all sources to understand the whole person, not just the numbers.

How do you prevent delirium in ICU patients?

What they are checking: Whether they use practical steps like sleep protection, early mobility and reorientation.

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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: Intensive Care Unit Schedule: Full-Time, 32 hours per week, Rotating Shifts (7a-7p and 7p-7a), Every 3rd Weekend Rotation 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: Rotating Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 1301000007 5W Intensive Care Unit Scheduled Weekly Hours: 32 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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