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Registered Nurse, Intermediate Care/Stepdown Unit - Days

Mercyhealth · Janesville, WI · $34.45–$51.68 an hour · Full time

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

What does an intermediate care or stepdown patient look like to you, and how is that different from med-surg or ICU?

What they are checking: Whether they understand stepdown acuity and the close monitoring it requires.

Tell me about a time you taught a patient going home with a new heart or lung diagnosis.

What they are checking: Whether their teaching sets the patient up to avoid readmission.

Describe a time you worked with the interdisciplinary team to change a patient's plan.

What they are checking: Whether they collaborate with respiratory therapy, pharmacy and providers instead of working alone.

Why are you interested in stepdown nursing specifically?

What they are checking: Whether they want this acuity level and will grow in it rather than using it as a stopgap.

What would you do

A patient who just came from the ICU starts to look worse during your shift. What signs do you watch for and what do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they catch early deterioration and escalate before the patient needs a code.

How would you set priorities with four stepdown patients when two need meds at the same time and one has new chest pain?

What they are checking: Whether they address the possible cardiac event first and get help with the other tasks.

How do you care for a patient on BiPAP who is anxious and wants to take the mask off?

What they are checking: Whether they balance comfort and safety and know when the patient needs a higher level of care.

About the work

Walk me through how you interpret a telemetry rhythm change, such as new atrial fibrillation with a rapid rate.

What they are checking: Whether they can identify rhythms, assess the patient and know what to report and anticipate.

How do you manage a patient on a titratable drip like diltiazem or heparin?

What they are checking: Whether they know titration protocols, monitoring and labs for common stepdown drips.

How do you keep a stepdown patient safe from falls and complications like pressure injuries?

What they are checking: Whether they consistently apply prevention practices along with their higher-acuity monitoring.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

OVERVIEW The Registered Nurse provides individualized patient care through assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation while collaborating with the interdisciplinary care team. This role administers medications and treatments, develops care plans, provides patient and family education, and promotes patient safety and a positive care experience. SCHEDULE: 36-hours per week SHIFT: Days ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Utilizes the nursing process and collaborates with interdisciplinary team members in caring for patients. • Administers prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with approved nursing techniques, policies and procedures, standards of care, and State laws practice act. • Documents according to standards of care. • Performs assessments, planning, intervention, and evaluation of care. • Develops, initiates, and executes a patient plan of care according to the individualized needs of the patient, as prescribed by Physician and or clinic policy including patient and family instruction. • Participates in department or unit performance improvement activities, may include shared governance. • Utilizes clinical expertise and guidance to other units’ departments in support of the patient’s longitudinal plan of care. • Utilizes critical thinking regarding patient safety and patient experience and appropriately escalates to the appropriate chain of command. • Participates in the professional nursing continuum process, unit practice activities and decisions and peer review process. EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE • Graduate of an accredited nursing program. • ADN required upon hire, BSN preferred. • May require specific years of applicable experience to qualify (per department guidelines) CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE • Licensed as an RN in state of practice • Approved CPR/BLS certification required within 90 days • Other certification(s) per unit requirements. For example : ACLS, PALS, PEARS, and NRP OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES May include color blind test (per department guidelines) LEVEL OF SUPERVISION N/A PAY RANGE: $34.45 - $51.68 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including: • Medical, Dental, Vision • Life & Disability Insurance • FSA/HSA Options • Generous, accruing paid time off • Paid Parental and caregiver leave • Career advancement and educational opportunities • Tuition and certification reimbursement • Certification Reimbursement • Well-being Programs • Employee Discounts • On-Demand Pay • Financial Education • Annual recognition/awards events • Partner appreciation days • Family entertainment/attractions discount • Community service/improvement opportunities Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information. At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: • #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

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