JobsAdvocate Health

Registered Nurse (RN) -Day Surgery PACU

Advocate Health · Summit, WI

Posted Sep 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 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.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time a patient's condition changed quickly in recovery. What did you notice first and what did you do?

pattern recognition under pressure and speed of escalation

Tell me about a time you had to manage a patient's pain and nausea after anesthesia when the first interventions didn't work.

clinical judgment in escalating post-anesthesia symptom management

Describe a situation where a patient or family member became distressed or agitated before or after surgery. How did you de-escalate it?

verbal de-escalation skill referenced explicitly in the posting's physical requirements

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a physician's order or plan for a patient. What did you do?

advocacy for patient safety balanced with professional communication

What does a good day of teamwork look like to you when you're working alongside anesthesia, surgeons, and other PACU nurses?

collaborative style and fit with a team-based, high-communication unit

Technical

Walk me through how you assess a patient the moment they arrive in PACU from the OR.

whether the candidate has a systematic, safety-first approach to initial post-op assessment

What are the criteria you use to decide a patient is ready for discharge from Day Surgery?

knowledge of discharge criteria and unwillingness to cut corners for throughput

How do you stay sharp moving between Day Surgery and PACU on the same shift, since this role cross-trains in both?

comfort with the dual-area workflow and ability to shift mental models quickly

What's your process for a bedside handoff when you're sending a patient from PACU to the floor or home?

communication rigor and adherence to handoff standards that prevent gaps in care

Situational

You have a patient in Day Surgery prepping for a procedure and another in PACU waking up unstable at the same time. How do you handle that?

prioritization and triage skill when cross-covering two different care stages

You get a call-back at 2am for an add-on case. What's going through your mind as you head in, and what do you check first when you arrive?

reliability and readiness for the call requirement built into this schedule

A patient starts to have an airway complication right after extubation and you're the only RN in the bay. Walk me through your next sixty seconds.

emergency response knowledge specific to post-anesthesia airway events and ACLS readiness

How do you handle the physical demands of this job, things like assisting with a 150-pound sliding transfer or being on your feet through a long shift?

realistic self-awareness about the physical requirements listed in the posting

Given the on-call rotation here, about every ninth weekend and roughly one weekday night a week, how does that fit with your life right now?

honest assessment of whether the candidate can sustain the call schedule long term

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 37710 AMC Summit - PACU Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: • 0.9 FTE with call. • Call response within 30 minutes. • This position supports both Day Surgery and PACU. Team members are cross trained to work in both areas • Rotation of Five 8 hours shifts and Four 8 hours shifts. Operational hours are typically 0530-1930, must be flexible to take early and late shifts. • Weekend call requirement * (Friday 1900-Monday 0700): approximately every 9th weekend. • Weekday call requirement *(Monday-Thursday 1900-0700): approximately 1 call shift every week. • Holiday call requirement * approximately 1 call shift per year *Call frequency may vary based on staffing needs Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 Registered Nurse (RN) – PACU Day Surgery Summit,  WI, United States Be the Nurse Who Redefines Care.  At Advocate Health, being a nurse means more than delivering exceptional clinical care—it means leading with purpose, compassion, and boldness. As part of our One Advocate Nurse community, you’ll join a unified team committed to lifting others up, embracing innovation, and creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive. You’ll be empowered to think boldly, collaborate with humility, and drive change through fearless curiosity. Whether you're at the bedside, in the community, or advancing care through research and education, you’ll help shape the future of health—because here, we’re redefining care for you, for us, for all. Your feedback matters. Every nurse’s voice is vital in shaping our culture and improving care. We value your insights and experiences because they help us grow stronger together We’re Looking For: • Completion of an accredited or approved program in nursing • Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the teammate practices • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification issued by the American Heart Association or within 6 months. What You’ll Do: • As a skilled and compassionate RN, you will play a pivotal role in providing and coordinating comprehensive patient care through the nursing process to deliver safe, therapeutic care in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. • Using evidence-based practice, clinical decision making, compassion, and skills communication while leading efforts to create the safest patient environment and the best patient experience across the continuum. About This Location: Aurora Medical Center – Summit offers a dynamic and rewarding environment for professionals seeking meaningful work. With a 117-bed facility staffed by over 260 nurses, Summit delivers state-of-the-art care in a thoughtfully designed space that puts comfort, safety, and privacy first. Here, collaboration and respect shape a workplace culture where every voice matters and teamwork thrive. Teammates are part of a team that puts patient empowerment at the forefront, allowing families and friends to support loved ones during the healing process. Aurora Medical Center-Summit provides comprehensive medical services, including 24/7 emergency care, on-site specialists, and advanced facilities such as a Level II Trauma Center, Brain & Spine Center, Bariatric Surgery, Stroke Care, Advanced Robotics, Women’s Services, and a Cancer Center. Our teammates enjoy opportunities for professional growth, development, and continuous learning, along with competitive benefits and a focus on work-life balance. If you’re seeking a workplace where convenience, comfort, and world-class care are core values—and where you can truly make a difference—Aurora Medical Center – Summit is an exceptional choice. Physical Requirements & Working Conditions Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting, reaching, twisting, and lifting throughout the workday. Must safely lift up to 35 pounds and perform patient handling tasks, including pushing/pulling up to 30 pounds and assisting with 150-pound sliding transfers. Requires functional speech, vision, hearing, touch, and fine motor skills for clinical procedures, as well as the ability to operate equipment foot controls. Must be able to respond quickly to changing patient conditions and perform patient safety interventions, including verbal de-escalation and restraints when necessary. Exposure to blood, body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, and hazardous waste may occur; appropriate protective equipment must be used. Physical Abilities Testing and additional department-specific requirements may apply. This job posting indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Ready to Take the Next Step: Apply Now! Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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