JobsAdvocate Health

Registered Nurse (RN) - Intensive Care

Advocate Health · Summit, WI

Posted Sep 14, 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 had a patient whose condition suddenly deteriorated in the middle of the night. What did you do first, and how did it turn out?

whether the candidate can recognize decompensation quickly and follow a clear escalation process under pressure

Describe a time you disagreed with a physician's plan of care for a critically ill patient. What did you do?

willingness to advocate for patients through proper channels without becoming combative

This unit reviews staffing every four hours and works closely with CNAs and health unit coordinators. Tell me about a time you had to lean on a team member outside the RN role to get through a tough shift.

whether the candidate values and works well within a team-based staffing model rather than operating solo

What does evidence-based practice mean to you in the ICU, and can you give an example of when you changed how you did something because of new evidence or a protocol update?

whether the candidate actively updates practice rather than relying on habit

Tell me about a time a patient or family needed to be talked down from a dangerous situation without using restraints. What did you say and do?

real experience with verbal de-escalation as an alternative to physical intervention

What draws you to trauma, surgical, cardiac, and neuro patients specifically, given this unit sees all four populations on one 14-bed floor?

genuine interest and adaptability across a broad and demanding patient mix rather than a narrow specialty preference

Technical

Walk me through how you'd assess and manage a fresh post-op cardiac surgery patient in their first few hours in the ICU.

depth of hands-on ICU knowledge with hemodynamic monitoring, drips, and early complication recognition

What's your experience with titrating vasoactive drips like norepinephrine or vasopressin, and how do you know when to call the physician versus adjust on your own within protocol?

comfort with high-risk medications and understanding of scope of practice boundaries

Tell me about the NIHSS scale. If you haven't used it yet, how do you plan to get comfortable with it within your first six months here?

honesty about current competency gaps and a realistic plan to meet required certifications

Situational

You're covering three ICU patients on a night shift and one of them suddenly needs continuous stroke assessment while another is due for time-sensitive medications. How do you prioritize?

ability to triage competing critical demands with limited staff and still keep patients safe

A family member is at the bedside of a trauma patient and becoming increasingly agitated and loud, interfering with your ability to assess the patient. What do you do in the moment?

de-escalation skill and ability to protect patient care without escalating conflict

How do you approach a patient who needs a sliding transfer or repositioning when they're 150 pounds and you don't have immediate help available?

judgment around safe patient handling and knowing when to wait for assistance versus improvise

You're working nights, every third weekend, with only three holidays off a year. What's made a schedule like this sustainable for you in the past, or what are you doing to prepare for it now?

realistic self-assessment about whether the shift pattern will actually work long-term for this person

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: • 9 FTE • Night shift: 7p-7a • Weekends: every third weekend • Holidays: 3 holidays per year • ICU/Stepdown highly preferred; may consider candidates with several years RN experience and passion for critical care Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 Registered Nurse (RN) – Intensive Care Summit, WI, United States   Where You Will Work:   At Aurora Medical Center-Summit ICU, we appreciate the unique skills of each teammate. Our 14-bed unit is cared for by registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, and health unit coordinators who work together to support trauma, surgical, cardiac, and neurological patients with compassion and dedication. Whether just starting out or bringing years of experience, every team member is valued as an essential part of our ICU team. We review staffing every four hours to ensure that patients and team members alike receive the attention and care they deserve. Our culture is built on openness, kindness, and a genuine commitment to helping everyone grow professionally and personally. If you are looking for a place where your well-being and development matter as much as your expertise, we warmly invite you to consider joining ICU Summit.  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) or within 6 months of hire  • National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) certificate or within 6 months of hire  • Critical Care Registered Nurse(CCRN), preferred and optional  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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