Registered Nurse (RN) - Oncology
Posted Sep 2, 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 cared for a patient going through a really hard part of their cancer treatment. What did you do to support them, and how did it affect you?
What they are checking: whether the candidate can sustain compassion and emotional resilience in oncology's high-grief environment
Tell me about a time you had to deliver difficult news or sit with a family after a poor prognosis update from the physician.
What they are checking: comfort with emotionally heavy communication and ability to support patients without overstepping scope
Describe a situation where you disagreed with a physician or another team member about a patient's plan of care. What did you do?
What they are checking: ability to advocate for patients respectfully within a collaborative team structure
Tell me about a time a nursing assistant or newer team member needed guidance from you. How did you handle it?
What they are checking: willingness to mentor and support a mixed-experience team, which this unit explicitly has
What would you do
A patient on your unit starts showing signs of extravasation during a vesicant infusion. What do you do, step by step?
What they are checking: knowledge of oncology emergency protocols and ability to act quickly under pressure
You're assigned three oncology patients, one of whom is actively deteriorating and another who is due for a scheduled chemo dose. How do you prioritize your time?
What they are checking: triage judgment and time management under a realistic patient load
How do you handle working every third weekend and rotating holidays while still showing up fully for your patients and team?
What they are checking: realistic acceptance of the schedule demands and self-management of burnout
If a patient's family member is upset and confrontational about the pace of care during a busy shift, how would you respond in the moment?
What they are checking: de-escalation skill and composure while managing competing demands
About the work
Walk me through how you would safely administer a chemotherapy infusion, including how you verify the order and check the patient before you start.
What they are checking: understanding of chemo safety protocols even before formal certification, and attention to double-check procedures
How do you recognize and respond to early signs of neutropenic fever in a patient?
What they are checking: clinical knowledge specific to oncology patients and infection risk awareness
What steps would you take to obtain your chemotherapy administration certification within the required timeframe, and how do you stay current on evidence-based oncology practice in the meantime?
What they are checking: initiative around required certification and commitment to ongoing learning
What does patient safety mean to you specifically on an oncology unit, compared to a general med-surg floor?
What they are checking: understanding of oncology-specific risks like immunosuppression, hazardous drug handling, and complex symptom management
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As published by Advocate Health.