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Registered Nurse-New Graduate Inpatient Nursing

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

Posted Sep 30, 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

Why are you interested in our Nursing Residency Program for your first year as a nurse?

What they are checking: Whether they want structured support and mentoring, and will use it rather than just get through it.

Tell me about a clinical experience in school that made you sure you wanted to be a nurse.

What they are checking: Whether their motivation is real and grounded in patient care, which helps new nurses stay through a hard first year.

Tell me about a time you received hard feedback from a preceptor or instructor.

What they are checking: Whether they take feedback well, which predicts how fast they grow in residency.

How do you plan to manage the stress of your first year?

What they are checking: Whether they have realistic coping strategies, since many new grads leave in year one.

What would you do

You have five patients and one starts complaining of new chest pain. What do you do first?

What they are checking: Whether a new grad knows to assess and escalate quickly, and to call for help.

What would you do if you were asked to do a skill you had never done before?

What they are checking: Whether they will speak up and ask for help instead of guessing, the key safety habit for new nurses.

How would you tell your charge nurse you're falling behind?

What they are checking: Whether they ask for help early instead of hiding problems until something goes wrong.

Status, shift and unit will be discussed here. What units interest you, and how flexible are you?

What they are checking: Whether they can be honest about preferences while staying open to where they are needed.

About the work

Walk me through how you would prioritize your morning on a med-surg unit.

What they are checking: Whether they can organize care using basic priority frameworks like airway, breathing and circulation.

What does it mean to you to delegate to a nursing assistant, and what stays your responsibility?

What they are checking: Whether they understand delegation and accountability, which the posting names directly.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Nursing Residency Program provides the highest level of support for new graduate nurses throughout their first year with Northwestern Medicine. Clinical orientation is tailored to the needs of the new graduate nurse with ongoing access to mentors and continued education. Status, shift and unit availability will be discussed during the interview process. 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 All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 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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