Registered Nurse (RN) - Med/Surg, Neuro, Obsv
Posted Sep 10, 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 you picked up on early signs that a patient was deteriorating before anyone else noticed. What did you do?
What they are checking: whether the candidate can recognize subtle neuro or cardiac changes and act on clinical judgment rather than waiting for orders
This is a brand-new unit with a newly formed team. Tell me about a time you helped build or stabilize a new team or process from scratch.
What they are checking: adaptability and willingness to help shape culture rather than rely on established routines
Describe a time you cared for a patient with CHF or sepsis whose condition changed quickly. What signs did you catch and what was the outcome?
What they are checking: real clinical experience with the specific patient populations this unit serves
How do you explain a seizure precaution plan or stroke risk factors to a patient and family who are scared and don't have a medical background?
What they are checking: communication skill and patient advocacy with neuro patients specifically
Tell me about a disagreement you had with a physician or another team member over a patient's plan of care. How did you handle it?
What they are checking: ability to advocate for patients while maintaining collaborative relationships on an interdisciplinary team
Describe a time you had to speak up about a safety risk on your unit, like a fall risk or an equipment issue, before it became a real problem.
What they are checking: proactive safety mindset given the unit's emphasis on maintaining a safe care environment
Why are you interested in a short-stay, fast-paced unit like this one, and what about neuro and med/surg specifically draws you in?
What they are checking: genuine motivation for this specialty and unit, not just any RN opening, given it's a new team they need to retain
What would you do
A patient on your unit came in with a TIA and is now showing new slurred speech and arm weakness on a routine check. Walk me through exactly what you'd do in the next few minutes.
What they are checking: knowledge of stroke protocol, NIH stroke scale basics, and urgency of escalation for neuro changes
Tell me about a shift where you had a patient on an insulin drip along with two or three other patients. How did you prioritize your time?
What they are checking: ability to manage competing acute needs on a fast-paced med/surg floor without letting one high-risk patient consume all attention
You're told you need to float to another unit partway through your shift. How do you handle that, especially if you're less familiar with that patient population?
What they are checking: flexibility and honesty about scope of competence when asked to work outside comfort zone
You have four patients and one starts to seize. What's your immediate response and how do you manage your other patients at the same time?
What they are checking: crisis response combined with realistic workload triage under a 12-hour shift with a full patient load
About the work
How do you approach titrating a heparin drip, and what would make you stop and call the provider?
What they are checking: comfort and safety awareness with high-risk IV drips that are core to this unit
What's your process for a full head-to-toe assessment on a new admit to a med/surg neuro unit, and what are you specifically looking for given this population?
What they are checking: depth of clinical assessment skill tailored to CVA, TIA, and seizure patients rather than generic med/surg knowledge
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As published by Advocate Health.