Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg Ortho
Posted Sep 7, 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 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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As published by Advocate Health.
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