Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg
Posted Sep 13, 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 a post-surgical or orthopedic patient took a sudden turn for the worse. What did you notice first and what did you do?
clinical judgment under pressure and whether they escalate appropriately rather than waiting
Tell me about a time you caught a problem with a physician's order or a medication that didn't look right. What did you do?
willingness to speak up and follow safe medication practices even when it means questioning a doctor
Describe a shift where you were working closely with an LPN and a CNA on your team. How did you divide the work and keep everyone on the same page?
ability to delegate appropriately and lead a care team rather than trying to do everything alone
Tell me about a time you had to have a hard conversation with a patient or family member who was upset about their care or the plan.
communication skill and composure when emotions are running high
Why does working on a specialized surgical and orthopedic recovery unit like this one appeal to you, compared to a general med surg floor?
genuine interest in the specific patient population versus taking any open RN job
Technical
Walk me through how you assess a patient in the first hour after they come back to your unit from surgery.
whether the candidate has a systematic post-op assessment process and knows what red flags to watch for
What's your approach to pain management for orthopedic patients, especially balancing comfort with the risk of over-sedation post-surgery?
knowledge of pain protocols and awareness of respiratory depression and fall risk tied to opioids
How do you go about doing a sliding transfer or repositioning a patient who can't help much, especially when you only have one other person available?
practical knowledge of safe patient handling and body mechanics to prevent injury to self and patient
What does a solid discharge plan look like for a patient going home after a hip or knee replacement?
understanding of the full continuum of care, not just the hospital stay, including patient education and follow-up
What would you do if you were exposed to a patient's blood or body fluid during a procedure?
knowledge of infection control protocol and whether safety steps are second nature
Situational
You're covering a full med surg assignment on nights and two patients need attention at the same time, one with a pain crisis and one who just pulled out an IV. How do you decide what to do first?
prioritization skills and comfort making quick triage calls with limited staff around at night
A patient on your floor becomes agitated and starts trying to climb out of bed despite a fall risk order. Walk me through what you'd do in that moment.
competence with de-escalation and physical safety interventions balanced against patient dignity
How do you keep track of everything during a busy 12-hour night shift so nothing falls through the cracks, especially with every fourth weekend rotation and changing patients?
personal organization and reliability under a demanding, irregular schedule
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