Registered Nurse (RN) Oncology/Surgical
Posted Aug 31, 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
Walk me through a night shift where you had a patient's condition start to deteriorate. What did you notice first and what did you do?
What they are checking: whether the candidate can recognize early warning signs and act without waiting for a physician prompt, especially with less overnight backup
Tell me about a time you had to manage a patient's pain that was difficult to control, especially after a surgical procedure.
What they are checking: comfort with post-surgical pain management and escalation when standard orders aren't enough
Describe a time you had to deliver difficult news or support a patient and family dealing with a cancer diagnosis or poor prognosis.
What they are checking: emotional resilience and communication skill needed for oncology patients
Tell me about a time you disagreed with a physician's plan of care. What did you do?
What they are checking: ability to advocate for patients respectfully within the chain of command
As a new grad or someone newer to oncology, how would you go about building your skills alongside more experienced nurses on this team?
What they are checking: coachability and fit with a unit that mixes experience levels
Tell me about a time you caught a medication error before it happened, or caught one after the fact.
What they are checking: attention to detail and honesty around safety culture, relevant to a Magnet-designated hospital
What would you do
You're assigned six patients on a surgical-oncology floor, one just back from bariatric surgery and another who is a new post-op fall risk. How do you prioritize your rounds for the next hour?
What they are checking: ability to triage competing acute needs on a busy med-surg floor
How would you handle a situation where a nursing assistant on your team missed something important, like not reporting a change in a patient's vitals?
What they are checking: leadership and teamwork skills when working alongside CNAs, since the unit blends RNs and assistants closely
How do you keep yourself sharp and alert working three 12-hour night shifts a week, including weekends and holidays?
What they are checking: realistic assessment of stamina and self-care for the rotating night schedule
A family member on the floor is upset and raising their voice at you about their loved one's care. What do you do in that moment?
What they are checking: de-escalation skill and composure under pressure, important given the emotional weight of oncology and surgical recovery
About the work
What do you know about the specific risks that come with caring for bariatric surgery patients right after their procedure?
What they are checking: baseline clinical knowledge of bariatric post-op complications like leaks, DVT, and airway issues
This unit expects nurses to eventually get chemotherapy certification after a year. What's your understanding of what that training and administering chemo safely involves?
What they are checking: awareness of chemo safety protocols and willingness to grow into a specialized skill set
What steps do you take to prevent falls and pressure injuries on a med-surg floor where patients may be weak from surgery or chemo?
What they are checking: knowledge of unit-based safety protocols relevant to this specific patient population
Practice this interview out loud.
Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Advocate Health from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.
Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Advocate Health.