JobsAdvocate Health

Registered Nurse (RN): Ortho Joint Surgical

Advocate Health · Milwaukee, WI

Posted Aug 31, 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 had to advocate for a patient's pain control or care plan when a provider didn't initially agree with you.

willingness to speak up for patients and navigate disagreements with physicians respectfully

Describe a shift where your assignment felt unsafe or unmanageable. What did you do?

self-awareness about workload limits and willingness to escalate rather than silently struggle

Tell me about a time you worked closely with PT or OT to get a post-surgical patient moving and progressing. What made that collaboration work or not work?

experience with interdisciplinary teamwork, which is central to ortho recovery

If you're new to nursing or new to ortho, what does that Nurse Residency support mean to you, and what would you want to learn most in your first few months on this unit?

honest self-assessment of experience level and motivation to grow into the specialty

Tell me about a time you caught a medication error, either your own or someone else's, before it reached the patient.

honesty, attention to detail, and commitment to patient safety culture

Technical

Walk me through how you'd assess and manage pain for a patient on their first day after a total knee replacement.

whether the candidate has real working knowledge of post-op ortho pain management and multimodal approaches

A patient who just had a hip replacement needs to get up for the first time. Tell me how you handle that mobilization safely.

knowledge of hip precautions, fall prevention, and safe patient handling on a joint surgical unit

What are you watching for in the first 24 to 48 hours after a joint replacement that would tell you something is going wrong, like a DVT or infection?

depth of clinical knowledge around post-surgical complication recognition specific to ortho patients

How do you approach discharge teaching for a joint replacement patient who's going home in a day or two, especially around fall risk and wound care?

understanding of patient education responsibilities and readiness for shorter length-of-stay expectations

Situational

You have four post-op patients and one of them suddenly reports shortness of breath. Walk me through what you do in the first few minutes.

prioritization under pressure and recognition of a possible pulmonary embolism or other emergency

This unit also takes ENT, artificial airway, and spinal patients alongside joint replacements. How comfortable are you shifting between those different patient types on the same shift?

adaptability and breadth of med-surg skill beyond just ortho, since the unit is mixed

With every third weekend and rotating holidays built into this schedule, how do you think about maintaining consistent care and team relationships when your schedule isn't the same as everyone else's?

realistic buy-in to the actual shift pattern and understanding of team continuity

How do you keep four patients organized during a busy PM shift when admissions, discharges, and pain rounds are all happening at once?

time management and prioritization skills specific to a 12-hour PM shift on a surgical floor

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 34409 Aurora St. Lukes Medical Center - Med Surg: IU 11T Joint Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Schedule: • 36 hours per week, 12-hour shifts, 6-week self-scheduling • PM shift: 1100-2330, three 12-hour shifts per week • Every third weekend rotation • 50% Holiday rotation Benefits: • Comprehensive and competitive benefit package • Student Loan Forgiveness: up to $21,000 • Tuition Reimbursement: up to $7,200 per year • Differentials: PM shift: $4.00 per hour; weekend rotation: $4.00 per hour • Nurse Residency for RNs with less than 1 year experience • Military friendly • Referral Bonus Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 11T: Ortho Joint Surgical Med/Surg Specialty Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee Wisconsin 53215 Where You Will Work: 11T: Ortho Joint Surgical unit is a 24 inpatient private bed unit in the Garden Tower providing care to post-op ortho surgical patients: ortho surgical, Ear nose and throat, artificial airways, spinal (non-neuro procedure) knee, hip, shoulder replacement. We promote growth and development of our nurses by encouraging certification in Ortho, Med-Surg, Pain, Palliative Care and Geriatrics.  Shared Governance opportunities for growth in career: ACC, ADVANCE Program, NSI champion groups and support of professional development opportunities at a local and national level.  We’re Looking For: • Completion of an accredited or approved program in nursing • Accepting newly licensed and experienced RN’s • Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which the teammate practices • Preferred bachelor’s degree in nursing • 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: The future of medicine is happening here at Aurora St. Luke’s, and you’re at the center. No matter what your need – common surgery or pioneering treatment – you can count on our experienced and specialty physicians to provide expert care and excellent outcomes. As the only hospital in Wisconsin with a 24/7 on-site heart-care team, you can expect to receive premiere cardiac services. Both the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association have recognized Aurora St. Luke’s performance in treating cardiac and stroke patients. 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! Schedule: • 36 hours per week, 12-hour shifts, 6-week self-scheduling • PM shift: 1100-2330, three 12-hour shifts per week • Every third weekend rotation • 50% Holiday rotation Benefits: • Comprehensive and competitive benefit package • Student Loan Forgiveness: up to $21,000 • Tuition Reimbursement: up to $7,200 per year • Differentials: PM shift: $4.00 per hour; weekend rotation: $4.00 per hour • Nurse Residency for RNs with less than 1 year experience • Military friendly • Referral Bonus This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. 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.

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