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Registered Nurse (RN) - New Graduate - Cardiac/Neuro

Advocate Health · Grafton, WI

Posted Sep 17, 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 in clinical rotations or a job before nursing school when you had to speak up because something felt unsafe. What did you do?

whether the candidate will raise concerns through proper channels rather than staying quiet, which matters a lot for a brand-new nurse

Describe a time you had to learn something new quickly, maybe a skill or a piece of equipment, and how you approached it.

learning agility, since a new grad will be ramping up on cardiac telemetry, stroke protocols, and unit-specific equipment

Tell me about a time you made a mistake or almost made one during a clinical or job. What did you do afterward?

honesty and whether they understand a just-culture approach to error reporting rather than hiding mistakes

This unit works every third weekend with a holiday rotation and 12-hour day shifts. How are you thinking about managing that schedule alongside the rest of your life?

realistic expectations about schedule demands and retention risk

Tell me about a group project or team assignment where not everyone was pulling their weight. How did you handle it?

teamwork and conflict tolerance, since med-surg nursing runs on constant collaboration with techs and other nurses

Why cardiac and neuro specifically, and why start your nursing career at Grafton rather than a larger flagship hospital?

genuine motivation and fit for this specific unit and community hospital setting rather than a generic application

Technical

What do you know about the NIHSS, and why do you think a cardiac/neuro unit would require that certification?

baseline understanding of stroke assessment tools even before formal certification, and whether they researched the unit

You notice a patient recovering from open heart surgery has a sudden change in heart rhythm on the monitor. Tell me what you'd be watching for and what you'd do first.

foundational cardiac monitoring knowledge and appropriate escalation instinct, not expecting expert-level mastery from a new grad

How do you tell the difference between a stroke symptom and something else, like a TIA mimicking a stroke, and what would make you call a rapid response or notify the provider immediately?

understanding of red-flag neuro symptoms and threshold for escalation

A CHF patient you're caring for suddenly gains two pounds overnight and reports feeling more short of breath. Walk me through what you'd do.

applied knowledge of fluid overload assessment and whether they connect subtle changes to bigger clinical pictures

Situational

Walk me through how you'd prioritize your first hour on shift if you're handed four patients: one post cardiac cath needing frequent vital checks, one new stroke admission needing an NIHSS assessment, one CHF patient short of breath, and one stable patient waiting for discharge teaching.

basic clinical prioritization and whether they understand acuity versus task order

A patient's family member is upset and raising their voice at the nurses' station because they feel their loved one isn't getting enough attention. What do you do in that moment?

de-escalation skill and composure under pressure, which the physical requirements section flags as a real part of the job

If you're assigned a preceptor and you disagree with how they're doing something compared to what you learned in school, how would you handle that conversation?

ability to navigate hierarchy respectfully while still advocating for correct practice

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 35811 AMC Grafton - Med Surg: IU 2nd Floor Cardiac Neuro Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: • 0.9 FTE - Full-time, Day shift • 7:00 am - 7:30 pm scheduling • Every third weekend and holiday rotation Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 Registered Nurse (RN) – Cardiac Neuro Unit Grafton, WI 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: MS2 Cardiac/Neuro is an 18-bed unit that has a primary focus on our cardiac patients at AMCG. Including CHF, pre/post cardiac catheterizations, pacemakers, ablations, pre/post open heart surgery, and cardiac arrythmias. This unit also supports our stroke program, providing excellent care to patients coming in with neurological symptoms, stroke, and TIA. Our cardiac/neuro unit is an excellent unit for continuous growth with a supportive team that leads with compassion. 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 • National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) certification required within 6 months • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) required within 1 year of hire 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 Medical Center - Grafton a 132-bed facility is recognized as a leading destination for healthcare, offering private patient rooms, comfortable family areas, and a comprehensive selection of specialized services. Supported by a team of more than 450 Nurses, Grafton provides thoughtful amenities such as tranquil meditation gardens and a welcoming cafeteria, all designed to enhance comfort and peace of mind. With a strong focus on accessibility and advanced technology, the facility is preparing for a significant expansion, with a new patient tower scheduled to open in 2027. In addition to its core departments, Aurora Medical Center - Grafton delivers exceptional care in cardiovascular health, women’s services, orthopedics, emergency medicine, surgery, and neuroscience. The hospital’s commitment to professional development, state-of-the-art equipment, and diverse campus resources reflects its enduring tradition of compassionate, community-oriented care. Join our Grafton team today for a rewarding future in a supportive growing facility. Physical Requirements & Working Conditions Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, squatting, reaching, twisting, and lifting throughout the workday. Must safely lift up to 35 pounds and perform patient handling tasks, including pushing/pulling up to 30 pounds and assisting with 150-pound sliding transfers. Requires functional speech, vision, hearing, touch, and fine motor skills for clinical procedures, as well as the ability to operate equipment foot controls. Must be able to respond quickly to changing patient conditions and perform patient safety interventions, including verbal de-escalation and restraints when necessary. Exposure to blood, body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, and hazardous waste may occur; appropriate protective equipment must be used. Physical Abilities Testing and additional department-specific requirements may apply. This job posting 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. 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) - New Graduate - Cardiac/Neuro

Likely interview questions for this role

Practice this interview out loud.

The full job description

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