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Registered Nurse (RN) Medical Surgical Ortho

Advocate Health · Cudahy, WI

Posted Sep 15, 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 time you cared for a post-op patient who developed a complication, like a DVT or excessive bleeding, and what you did in the first few minutes you noticed something was wrong.

recognition of post-surgical red flags and ability to escalate quickly and calmly

Tell me about a time you had a patient going through alcohol withdrawal. What did you watch for and how did that change your plan of care?

comfort managing a population outside pure ortho, since the unit description names this specifically

Describe a shift where you had to coordinate care with physical therapy, case management, and a surgeon all in the same day for one patient.

ability to coordinate across disciplines, which is central to this role's description

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

advocacy skills and whether the candidate escalates concerns appropriately rather than staying silent

Tell me about a time a patient or family member was upset with their care. How did you handle the conversation?

communication skill and composure with the compassionate care and patient experience the posting emphasizes

Technical

What do you look for in the first 24 hours after a total knee or hip replacement, and what would make you call the surgeon instead of just documenting and monitoring?

depth of actual ortho post-op clinical knowledge versus generic med-surg knowledge

What's your approach to wound care and infection prevention for a fresh surgical incision, and how do you know when something looks off?

baseline surgical wound assessment competence expected on a primary surgical unit

Situational

Walk me through how you'd prioritize care for four patients on your unit, one is a fresh total knee replacement from this morning, one is a DKA patient whose blood sugar just came back high, one is stable but due for pain meds, and one is being worked up for discharge.

whether the candidate can triage acuity and time-manage across a genuinely mixed ortho and medical caseload

How would you approach pain management for a patient recovering from a bowel resection who says their pain is a 9 out of 10 but seems to be resting comfortably when you walk in?

clinical judgment around pain assessment and avoiding both under-treatment and blind compliance

This unit takes stable pediatric patients aged 16 and up alongside adult ortho and medical patients. How do you adjust your communication or care approach when your patient is a teenager instead of an adult?

flexibility across age groups and comfort with atypical patient mix for a med-surg unit

You're managing a patient with an amputation who is showing early signs of depression or difficulty coping with their new reality. What do you do?

emotional and psychosocial awareness beyond the physical wound care

This is a 33-bed unit working PM shift with a weekend rotation. How do you keep yourself and your team organized when the unit is full and short-staffed?

realistic expectations about workload and teamwork under the specific staffing pattern of this job

If you're new to bedside nursing, walk me through how you'd handle your first rapid response or code on this floor.

realistic self-awareness for new grads about emergency response and when to ask for help

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 35811 Aurora St. Lukes South Shore - Med Surg: IU 3rd Floor Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: PM shift 11-2300 36 hours a week every 3rd weekend rotating holidays Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 Registered Nurse (RN) – Orthopedic Medical Surgical Inpatient PM shift Where You Will Work: Cudahy, WI, United States Experience a true Orthopedic Med/Surg environment on 3MESG , South Shore’s primary surgical unit, where you'll care for patients recovering from procedures like total knee replacements, bowel resections, and amputations Broaden your clinical exposure with a diverse mix of medical cases—from pneumonia and DKA to alcohol withdrawal—and stable pediatric patients aged 16+, all within a fast-paced 33-bed unit. We’re Looking For: • Completion of an accredited or approved program in nursing • New grads welcomed! • 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 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: Find a career you’ll love at Aurora St Luke's South Shore If you’re looking for state-of-the-art care in your community, Aurora St. Luke’s South Shore provides the care your family needs, close to home. Our staff is committed to medical excellence as well as compassionate care. We're focused on treating you, and not just your condition. You also can depend on 24/7 emergency services and a number of on-site specialists. 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. Ready to Take the Next Step: Apply Now! 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.

Apply at Advocate Health

Registered Nurse (RN) Medical Surgical Ortho

Likely interview questions for this role

Practice this interview out loud.

The full job description

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