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Registered Nurse, Med-Surg - Full-time Nights

Mercyhealth · Freeport, IL · $33.12–$49.68 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 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 call a provider at night who didn't want to be bothered.

What they are checking: Whether they still advocate for the patient and use the chain of command if needed.

Tell me about a time you caught a problem during a shift handoff.

What they are checking: Whether they listen carefully at handoff and follow up on unclear or missing information.

What brings you to night shift, and how do you take care of yourself working it?

What they are checking: Whether they have realistic habits for nights, which affects safety and how long they stay.

What would you do

How do you manage five or six patients on a night shift without missing meds or assessments?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real plan for organizing care across a full assignment.

How do you help a patient who can't sleep in the hospital without just giving a sleep aid?

What they are checking: Whether they think about safety, especially for older patients at risk of falls and delirium.

A patient wants to leave against medical advice in the middle of the night. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they try to understand the reason, inform the provider and document properly.

How do you work with your CNA on nights when you're both stretched thin?

What they are checking: Whether they share work as a team and communicate priorities clearly.

About the work

It's 3 a.m. and a patient who was fine at midnight is now confused and has a fever. Walk me through what you do.

What they are checking: Whether they think of sepsis early and use the protocol and provider call quickly.

A patient's potassium comes back at 2.8. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they know the risks of low potassium and call the provider promptly for replacement orders.

How do you prevent hospital-acquired infections in your patients?

What they are checking: Whether they practice hand hygiene, line care and catheter removal as everyday habits.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

OVERVIEW Provides patient care by assessing needs, administering medications and treatments, creating individualized care plans, and documenting care. Works with the healthcare team, educates patients and families, promotes safety, and helps improve the quality of patient care. SCHEDULE: 36-hours per week SHIFT: Nights 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 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 AND 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 • ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS • Passing the Driver’s License Check and or Credit Check (for those positions requiring). • Passing the WI Caregiver Background Check and or IL Health Care Workers Background Check. • Must be able to follow written or oral instructions. SKILLS AND ABILITIES May include color blind test (per department guidelines) WORK ENVIRONMENT • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. • Category A - All partners in the specified job classification have occupational exposure. AGE OF PATIENTS SERVED Neonate (birth – 28 days): Yes Adolescents (13 years – 17 years): Yes Non- Specific Task (NA): No Infant (29 days – less than 1 year): Yes Adult (18 years – 64 years): Yes Pediatric (1 year – 12 years): Yes Geriatric (65 years and older): Yes INFORMATION ACCESS Partner may access patient care information needed to perform their job duties. WORK CONTACT GROUP Partners, physicians, patients’ family, visitors, vendors SPECIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. RN Hospital, RN Home Health and Hospice, RN Oncology: While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to walk and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. RN Clinic and Ambulatory RN’s: While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or smell. The employee must regularly lift and or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. PAY RANGE: $33.12 - $49.68 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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