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Registered Nurse-Medical Surgical Observation Part Time Nights

Northwestern Medicine · McHenry, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

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 a patient's condition changed and they needed a higher level of care. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they recognize when observation is no longer appropriate and escalate without delay.

Tell me about a time you worked with a family member who disagreed with the plan of care.

What they are checking: Whether they listen, explain and involve the right people instead of letting conflict grow.

As a part-time nurse, how do you stay connected with unit projects and changes?

What they are checking: Whether they take initiative to stay informed and involved even with a lighter schedule.

What would you do

A patient on observation status asks why they are not "admitted" and is worried about their bill. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they explain clearly within their role and connect the patient with case management for details.

How do you handle a high-turnover night where you get several admissions and discharges close together?

What they are checking: Whether they stay organized under constant change, which is the defining challenge of an observation unit.

How do you decide what to delegate to the patient care tech on a busy night?

What they are checking: Whether they delegate appropriately while staying accountable for the assessments only an RN can do.

About the work

Observation patients often stay less than two days. How does that change how you plan your care?

What they are checking: Whether they start discharge planning and teaching on admission instead of waiting until the last minute.

You get an admission for chest pain rule-out at 1 a.m. What are your priorities for the first hour?

What they are checking: Whether they know the workup timeline for serial troponins and monitoring and keep it on track overnight.

What do you check before giving a medication to a patient you just met an hour ago?

What they are checking: Whether they follow the rights of medication administration and verify allergies on new patients every time.

How do you make sure your documentation supports the patient's level of care and discharge plan?

What they are checking: Whether they know accurate charting affects both care decisions and how the hospital stay is classified.

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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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