JobsAdvocate Health

Registered Nurse (RN): IMCU

Advocate Health · West Allis, WI

Posted Sep 9, 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

Walk me through a time you had a patient who was trending toward decompensation before the monitor or the labs clearly showed it. What tipped you off and what did you do?

whether the candidate can pick up subtle clinical changes in a step-down population before a crisis, not just react after the fact

Tell me about a time a patient you were caring for started to decline rapidly. What did you do first, and who did you call?

crisis response sequence and escalation judgment

Describe a time you disagreed with a physician or provider about a patient's plan of care. How did you handle it?

advocacy, communication skills, and comfort speaking up in a hierarchical system

This unit has an even mix of experienced nurses and new grads. Tell me about a time you either mentored someone newer than you or leaned on someone more experienced.

fit with the stated teaching, collaborative culture and willingness to both teach and be taught

Tell me about a time you had to manage several competing demands at once during a 12-hour shift, maybe a family member, a new admission, and a med pass all hitting at the same time.

time management and composure under the workload of 12-hour shifts with multiple patients

What's a time you made an error or almost made one? What did you do afterward?

honesty, accountability, and commitment to safety culture

Why are you interested in stepping into intermediate care specifically, rather than staying on a med-surg floor or moving to full ICU?

genuine understanding of and motivation for the step-down acuity level, and realistic expectations of the role

Technical

Tell me about a time you had to interpret a set of labs or vitals that didn't quite add up, and it changed what you did for the patient.

depth of pathophysiology and lab interpretation knowledge, not just protocol-following

What's your approach to caring for a patient who is chronically ventilated via tracheostomy? What are you watching for that a fully stable patient wouldn't need?

specific competency with trach and vent care, a named patient type in this unit

Situational

You're working nights with a 1:4 ratio. One patient is a chronic trach vent patient who's stable but labor-intensive, and another patient just started showing early signs of instability. How do you manage your time across the two?

prioritization and triage skill under a realistic IMCU ratio and acuity mix

How do you go about identifying which of your patients is closest to needing an ICU transfer versus which one is closest to being ready for the floor?

clinical judgment specific to the step-down/intermediate care mission of triaging risk of instability

You come on shift and get report on four patients, one of whom the outgoing nurse says has been 'off' all day but nothing specific to point to. What do you do in the first 30 minutes?

systematic initial assessment habits and how the candidate handles vague handoff information

How do you approach communicating with a multi-disciplinary team, respiratory therapy, pharmacy, physicians, when a patient's condition is changing quickly?

collaborative communication under time pressure, a stated cultural value

How do you feel about working nights, every third weekend, and a holiday rotation on an ongoing basis?

honest assessment of fit with the schedule demands before commitment

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 35877 Aurora West Allis Medical Center - Intermediate Care Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: • 6 week self scheduling blocks • 36 hours per week, 12- hour shifts: • 7:00 PM to 7:30AM • Every third weekend and 50% holiday rotation Elevate your work/personal life balance: • Competitive and comprehensive benefit package • Tuition reimbursement: up to $7,200.00 per year • Night shift differential: $5.00 per hour • Weekend rotation differential: $4.00 per hour • RN Referral bonus • Military/Veteran Friendly • Full Time 12-hour shifts with weekend/holiday rotation (and/or Weekend Program) Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 Registered Nurse (RN): Intermediate Care Unit IMCU: Intermediate Care Unit Aurora West Allis Medical Center, West Allis, Wi. 53227 Where you will work: • Inpatient Beds: 16 • Patient population: moderately stable patients with elevated risk for instability.  Patients may include ICU step down, patients who are chronically ventilated via tracheostomy, patients with higher risk of decompensation via trends of lab data, vital signs, and comorbidities. • Culture: Supportive, collaborative and teaching • Skill Mix: equal mix of experienced staff and new grads • Typical RN to Patient Ratio: 1:3-4 days, 1:3-4 nights 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 • Require at least 1 years experience as an RN • Bachelors of Science in Nursing preferred What you’ll do: • Build foundational skills and knowledge through Preceptor directed orientation. • Build skills in triaging, lab interpretation, pathophysiology of disease process, pharmacology, time management, and communication skills for intermediate acuity patients with acute and chronic conditions. • Coordinate comprehensive patient care through the nursing process to deliver safe, therapeutic care in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures. • Develop collaborative relationships with a resourceful multi-disciplinary team. • Provide continuity of patient care through 12-hour shifts, patient centered care and team minded support. • Be a valued member of a highly skilled, versatile nursing team committed to ensuring the delivery of quality and compassionate healthcare to diverse patient populations. About This Location: • West Allis Medical Center has been regionally recognized for a variety of services, including cancer care, gastroenterology, geriatrics, gynecology, neurology, pulmonology and urology. • Besides our full-service health care offerings, you can also take advantage of a wealth of community programs and services to support you in living the healthiest lifestyle possible. • Get With the Guidelines: Stroke and Heart Failure Gold+ • Age Friendly Health System Designation • Excellence in Hospital Quality and Patient Safety Award 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!!! 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. #AuroraGMKERN #AuroraNurses #GraduateNurse 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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