Registered Nurse (RN) - Intensive Care
Posted Sep 14, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 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.
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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As published by Advocate Health.
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