JobsAdvocate Health

Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg Ortho

Advocate Health · Milwaukee, WI

Posted Sep 7, 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 night when you had multiple post-op ortho patients and something started to go wrong with one of them. Walk me through what you did.

whether the candidate can prioritize and multitask across a full acute care assignment without dropping the ball on one patient

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a physician or provider about a patient's plan of care. What did you do?

whether the nurse can advocate for a patient while staying professional within a team hierarchy

Tell me about a time you caught an error, a near miss, or something that just didn't look right before it affected a patient.

attentiveness to detail and willingness to speak up, which matters heavily in a fast-paced surgical unit

What does health equity mean to you in the context of caring for patients here in downtown Milwaukee?

genuine alignment with the organization's stated commitment to health equity rather than a rehearsed answer

If you're a new grad, tell me about a clinical situation from school or clinicals that pushed you outside your comfort zone. If you're experienced, tell me about a time you mentored someone newer than you.

self-awareness about current skill level and fit with either the residency program or a preceptor role on a team that welcomes new grads

How do you take care of yourself and stay sharp working night shift with a rotating weekend schedule?

realistic self-assessment of stamina and reliability for the actual schedule being offered, not just interest in the job

Technical

What are the key things you assess in the first few hours after a total hip or total knee replacement patient comes back to the floor?

baseline clinical knowledge of post-surgical ortho care and complication recognition, since this is a core patient population on the unit

How do you assess for and manage a patient at risk of compartment syndrome or a DVT after orthopedic surgery?

depth of ortho-specific clinical knowledge beyond generic med-surg training

Since this unit also carries telemetry and some medical patients, tell me about your comfort level reading rhythm strips and knowing when to escalate a change.

whether the candidate can safely handle the mixed patient population beyond pure ortho cases

Situational

It's 2 a.m., you're on a 41-bed unit with every third weekend rotation and you have a bariatric patient who needs a sliding transfer with a second person. Walk me through how you'd handle that safely for both of you.

understanding of safe patient handling protocols and willingness to ask for help rather than risk injury

If you noticed a patient's pain wasn't being managed well after surgery and the current orders weren't cutting it, what steps would you take?

clinical judgment combined with knowledge of escalation pathways for pain management

How would you organize your shift if you're taking six patients, one is a fresh post-op, one is confused and a fall risk, and two are getting ready for discharge?

real-world prioritization and time management skill on a busy med-surg floor

How do you approach teaching a patient and family about what to expect during recovery from a hip or knee surgery before discharge?

patient education skill and understanding of the full continuum of care, not just inpatient tasks

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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: • Night Shift • 1900-0730 • Every 3rd Weekend rotation • 50% of holidays   • Nurse Residency for newly licensed RN's • Tuition Reimbursement • Referral Bonus Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 Med Surg Ortho Aurora Sinai Be the Nurse Who Redefines Care. At Advocate Health, being a nurse means more than delivering exceptional clinical care—it means leading with purpose, compassion, and boldness. As part of our One Advocate Nurse community, you’ll join a unified team committed to lifting others up, embracing innovation, and creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive. You’ll be empowered to think boldly, collaborate with humility, and drive change through fearless curiosity. Whether you're at the bedside, in the community, or advancing care through research and education, you’ll help shape the future of health—because here, we’re redefining care for you, for us, for all. Your feedback matters. Every nurse’s voice is vital in shaping our culture and improving care. We value your insights and experiences because they help us grow stronger together. Where You Will Work: Come to a strong department with a great culture and safe rations where you can spend time providing the care you always wished for. Our 41-bed Medical Surgical Unit cares for a diverse patient population, providing nurses with the opportunity to build and strengthen their clinical expertise across multiple specialties. The unit primarily serves orthopedic, urological, bariatric, and general surgical patients, while also caring for some medical and telemetry patients. Why You'll Love This Unit: • Care for a wide variety of patient populations and diagnoses • Gain experience in both surgical and medical/telemetry nursing • Work alongside a supportive, interdisciplinary team committed to exceptional patient outcomes • Develop clinical skills in a fast-paced environment that encourages continuous learning and professional growth • Make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients throughout their recovery journey Whether you're an experienced nurse or looking to expand your practice in a diverse acute care setting, this team offers an excellent opportunity to grow your career while delivering compassionate, high-quality care. Advocate Aurora Health provides a leading-edge residency program with your future in mind. The New Graduate Nurse Residency Program is evidence-based and support the professional development, confidence, and overall well-being of the nurse resident as they transition from academia to the practice setting.  💙 Be part of a team where your expertise, collaboration, and commitment to patient care are valued every day!   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 • Strong interest and passion for service and health equity • A commitment to teamwork, communication, and continual professional growth • New grads Welcome! 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 Sinai Medical Center From preventive and diagnostic care to some of the most advanced medicine in the world, we’re dedicated to putting the patient at the center of all we do. Located in downtown Milwaukee, we offer comprehensive, state-of-the-art services and expert doctors in an atmosphere designed to promote healing and overall well-being. We are also home to tomorrow’s health care professionals and pioneering treatment options, with the University of Wisconsin Medical School’s Milwaukee Clinical Campus at our location. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, reach above shoulders, and twist frequently throughout the workday. • Must be able to: • lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist. • lift up to 20 lbs. over the head. • carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance. • Must be able to: • push/pull with 30 lbs. of force. • perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present. • Position requires use of foot pedals on carts or machines. • May be exposed to chemical and hazardous waste as well as blood and body fluids and communicable disease. Therefore, protective clothing and equipment must be worn as necessary. • Must have functional speech, vision, hearing, and touch with ability to use fine hand manipulation skills for IV insertion and other procedures/functions. • Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job. This job description 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.   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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