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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 29, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Registered Nurse-Observation In House Registry Days

Northwestern Medicine · Lake Forest, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 28, 2026

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

This is in-house registry on days. How does that suit you?

What they are checking: Honest fit with the arrangement the posting states.

What made you choose registry work rather than a regular line?

What they are checking: Honest motivation, which predicts whether they show up reliably.

What would you do

An observation unit is neither the emergency department nor a full admission. What is different about nursing there?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the setting, which many nurses have never worked in.

You come onto a unit you have not worked for a few weeks. What do you do first?

What they are checking: The real skill of registry work, which is getting oriented fast.

A patient on observation deteriorates. What do you do?

What they are checking: Escalation on a unit built for patients who were supposed to be stable.

How do you plan a shift when patients arrive and leave through the day?

What they are checking: Turnover, which is the defining workload of an observation unit.

A patient asks why they are here and not admitted. What do you tell them?

What they are checking: Explaining observation status honestly, which patients find confusing and costly.

How do you decide what a patient needs to understand before they go home?

What they are checking: Discharge teaching, which on an observation unit happens fast.

About the work

How do you decide what to delegate to a technician and what you keep?

What they are checking: The posting says the nurse directs and determines use of assistive staff.

How do you document so the regular nurse can pick the patient back up?

What they are checking: Documentation, which matters more when the role is cover.

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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. • Additional Requirements for the Emergency Room: ACLS, PALS/ENPC & TNCC within one year of hire Additional Requirements for the Pediatric Emergency Room: Pediatric Advanced Life Support TNCC within one year of hire Additional Requirements for Non-Invasive Cardiology: ACLS 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 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.