Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg
Posted Sep 14, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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.
About your past
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?
What they are checking: 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?
What they are checking: 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?
What they are checking: 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.
What they are checking: 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?
What they are checking: genuine interest in the specific patient population versus taking any open RN job
What would you do
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?
What they are checking: 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.
What they are checking: 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?
What they are checking: personal organization and reliability under a demanding, irregular schedule
About the work
Walk me through how you assess a patient in the first hour after they come back to your unit from surgery.
What they are checking: 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?
What they are checking: 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?
What they are checking: 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?
What they are checking: 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?
What they are checking: knowledge of infection control protocol and whether safety steps are second nature
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As published by Advocate Health.