Registered Nurse (RN) - Behavioral Health Therapy
Posted Sep 25, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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
The posting puts a high emphasis on building therapeutic relationships. How do you build one with a patient who doesn't trust staff?
What they are checking: Whether they have real, patient approaches to earning trust rather than assuming it.
Tell me about a time you multitasked during a busy day while keeping patients safe.
What they are checking: Whether they can handle multiple needs without missing safety risks, as the posting notes multitasking.
Tell me about a time you worked with a team to change a patient's plan of care.
What they are checking: Whether they collaborate well, which the posting names as a core trait for this unit.
What would you do
A patient with bipolar disorder seems to be talking faster and sleeping very little. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they spot early mania signs and bring them to the team before things escalate.
A patient tells you privately they stopped taking their medications. How do you handle it?
What they are checking: Whether they explore reasons respectfully and share the information with the team instead of keeping it secret.
This role covers when the regular psych RNs are off, plus some Wednesday evenings. How would you get up to speed on patients you don't see every day?
What they are checking: Whether they can quickly gather what they need to give safe, consistent care as coverage staff.
How do you handle a patient who is hearing voices during group?
What they are checking: Whether they can respond calmly and safely without arguing with the patient's experience.
About the work
This partial hospitalization program serves adults with depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. How would your nursing assessment differ for each?
What they are checking: Whether they know the key risks of each condition, like mania, psychosis or suicidal thinking.
What is CPI de-escalation training, and how have you used de-escalation in practice?
What they are checking: Whether they can describe concrete de-escalation steps from experience, not just the certification name.
How would you teach a patient about lithium, including what to watch for?
What they are checking: Whether they know lithium toxicity signs and why lab monitoring and hydration matter.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Advocate Health.