JobsAdvocate Health

Registered Nurse (RN): Experienced RN: Ortho Joint Surgical

Advocate Health · Milwaukee, WI

Posted Aug 31, 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 you caught early signs of a post-surgical complication, like a DVT or wound infection, before it became serious.

clinical assessment skill and vigilance specific to ortho surgical recovery

Tell me about a time you had to get a post-op patient moving for the first time, and they were scared or in pain and resistant.

skill in early mobilization, a core outcome driver in joint recovery, and patient motivation technique

Tell me about a disagreement you've had with a physician or surgeon over a patient's care plan. How did you handle it?

advocacy skills and ability to communicate concerns respectfully within the care team

Tell me about a time you had to advocate for a patient's comfort or dignity when the plan of care wasn't quite meeting their needs.

patient-centered mindset and willingness to push for better care, not just compliance

Technical

A patient two hours out from a total knee replacement suddenly reports numbness and tingling in their foot. What do you do first, and who do you call?

knowledge of neurovascular checks and escalation protocol after joint surgery

What's your process for teaching a patient and their family how to manage a new artificial airway or a spinal precaution before they go home?

discharge teaching competence and ability to translate clinical steps into plain language

How do you keep track of precautions like hip or spinal restrictions across several patients at once so nothing gets missed on handoff?

organizational systems and handoff communication reliability

What does evidence-based practice actually look like day to day for you on a med-surg ortho floor, maybe something you changed based on new guidance?

whether the candidate engages with current standards rather than just following habit

Situational

Walk me through how you'd manage your patient load on a typical day shift here, with a mix of fresh post-op joint replacements and patients getting ready for discharge.

whether the candidate can prioritize across a med-surg ortho assignment where acuity and turnover both matter

How do you approach pain management for a hip or shoulder replacement patient who is anxious about opioids or has a history of substance use?

comfort balancing evidence-based pain control with patient-specific risk factors

Describe a shift where you had a rapid change in a patient's condition, maybe after an ENT or spinal procedure, and had to act fast without a doctor immediately available.

independent clinical judgment and calm decision-making under pressure

This unit works every third weekend and rotates holidays. How have you handled that kind of schedule in past roles, and what makes it work for you?

realistic fit with the shift pattern and honesty about lifestyle constraints

If you're newer to the field, or new to ortho specifically, how do you plan to build competence quickly, and what would you want from a preceptor or the nurse residency program?

self-awareness about learning curve and willingness to use available support structures

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 34409 Aurora St. Lukes Medical Center - Med Surg: IU 11T Joint Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Schedule: • 36 hours per week, 12-hour shifts, 6-week self-scheduling • Dayshift: 0700-1930, three 12 hour shifts per week • Every third weekend rotation • 50% Holiday rotation Benefits: • Comprehensive and competitive benefit package • Student Loan Forgiveness: up to $21,000 • Tuition Reimbursement: up to $7,200 per year • Differentials: Weekend rotation shifts: $4.00 per hour • Nurse Residency for RNs with less than 1 year experience • Military friendly • Referral Bonus Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 11T: Ortho Joint Surgical Med/Surg Specialty Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee Wisconsin 53215 Where You Will Work: 11T: Ortho Joint Surgical unit is a 24 inpatient private bed unit in the Garden Tower providing care to post-op ortho surgical patients: ortho surgical, Ear nose and throat, artificial airways, spinal (non-neuro procedure) knee, hip, shoulder replacement. We promote growth and development of our nurses by encouraging certification in Ortho, Med-Surg, Pain, Palliative Care and Geriatrics.  Shared Governance opportunities for growth in career: ACC, ADVANCE Program, NSI champion groups and support of professional development opportunities at a local and national level.  We’re Looking For: • Completion of an accredited or approved program in nursing • Accepting newly licensed and experienced RN’s • Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the teammate practices • Preferred bachelor’s degree in nursing • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association 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: The future of medicine is happening here at Aurora St. Luke’s, and you’re at the center. No matter what your need – common surgery or pioneering treatment – you can count on our experienced and specialty physicians to provide expert care and excellent outcomes. As the only hospital in Wisconsin with a 24/7 on-site heart-care team, you can expect to receive premiere cardiac services. Both the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have recognized Aurora St. Luke’s performance in treating cardiac and stroke patients. 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. Ready to Take the Next Step: Apply Now! Schedule: • 36 hours per week, 12-hour shifts, 6-week self-scheduling • Dayshift: 0700-1930, three 12 hour shifts per week • Every third weekend rotation • 50% Holiday rotation Benefits: • Comprehensive and competitive benefit package • Student Loan Forgiveness: up to $21,000 • Tuition Reimbursement: up to $7,200 per year • Differentials: Weekend rotation shifts: $4.00 per hour • Nurse Residency for RNs with less than 1 year experience • Military friendly • Referral Bonus This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. 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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