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Registered Nurse, Operating Room - Days

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

Posted Sep 29, 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 surgeon was frustrated or short with you during a case. How did you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they stay professional and focused under pressure in a high-stakes room.

This role may include call. How do you handle being called in for an emergency case at night?

What they are checking: Whether they are reliable for on-call duties and can get ready quickly and safely.

Tell me about a time you helped improve a process in the OR.

What they are checking: Whether they take part in improvement work and help fix breakdowns instead of working around them.

What would you do

How do you run a surgical time-out, and what do you do if someone on the team brushes it off?

What they are checking: Whether they will hold the line on safety checks even when a surgeon or team member is impatient.

You notice a break in sterile technique by a scrub or surgeon. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they speak up immediately about contamination, regardless of who caused it.

What do you do if a patient's condition suddenly changes during surgery, like a big drop in blood pressure or a lot of bleeding?

What they are checking: Whether they can anticipate needs, get supplies and call for help fast in an intraoperative emergency.

How do you prepare a room for a case you have not done before?

What they are checking: Whether they use preference cards, ask questions and plan ahead rather than scrambling once the case starts.

About the work

Walk me through your role as a circulating nurse from the time the patient enters the room until they leave.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the full circulating role, from positioning and prep to counts and handoff.

Your final count is off by one sponge. What happens next?

What they are checking: Whether they follow the count discrepancy process completely and never let it slide to save time.

What do you watch for when positioning a patient for a long case?

What they are checking: Whether they prevent pressure injuries and nerve damage that patients cannot report while under anesthesia.

How do you handle specimens in the OR so they get to pathology labeled correctly?

What they are checking: Whether they are careful with specimen handling, since a mislabeled specimen can lead to the wrong diagnosis.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

OVERVIEW Provides compassionate nursing care to patients in a clinical setting while supporting the Mercyhealth nursing mission and values. May include variable shifts, weekends, holidays, and/or on-call hours. May also float to different units based on staffing needs and clinical competency. Performs other related duties as assigned. SCHEDULE: 40- 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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