JobsAdvocate Health

Registered Nurse (RN): Ortho Spine ENT

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 more patients needing attention at once than you could get to right away. How did you decide who came first?

prioritization skill on a busy med-surg floor with a full patient load

Tell me about a time you caught a change in a patient's condition that others might have missed. What tipped you off?

clinical vigilance and pattern recognition, core to catching post-surgical complications early

This unit runs 12-hour shifts on a weekend program with every Saturday and Sunday plus 50 percent holiday rotation. How do you feel about that schedule, and what's made a schedule like this work or not work for you before?

realistic fit with the specific weekend-heavy, holiday-rotation schedule rather than generic availability

Tell me about a time a family member or patient was upset about their care or discharge plan. How did you handle it?

communication and de-escalation skills needed for surgical patients often anxious about recovery and mobility

If you're new to this specialty or newly licensed, how do you plan to build your skills in ortho and ENT post-op care during your residency or orientation?

self-awareness and learning plan for candidates without direct experience on this specific unit

Tell me about a time you had to advocate for a patient when you disagreed with a physician's plan or order.

willingness to speak up for patient safety while working within the care team structure

Technical

Walk me through how you'd assess a patient in the first hour after they come back from a total hip or knee replacement.

whether the candidate knows the core post-op ortho assessment priorities like neurovascular checks, pain control, and mobility precautions

A patient who just had a laryngectomy or tracheostomy starts having trouble clearing secretions. What do you do first?

airway management competence and comfort with trach/laryngectomy patients specific to this ENT population

How do you check and monitor a patient's neurovascular status after a spine fusion or laminectomy, and what would make you call the surgeon right away?

knowledge of post-spine surgery red flags like new numbness, weakness, or bowel/bladder changes

What would you watch for in a patient recovering from spine surgery who suddenly reports severe back pain along with new leg weakness?

recognition of a surgical emergency like epidural hematoma or cauda equina and urgency of response

Situational

Say a patient with jaw wiring after surgery starts vomiting. What's your immediate plan?

recognition of aspiration risk and readiness to act fast in a high-stakes airway scenario specific to this unit

How do you manage a patient's pain after a major ortho surgery when they're asking for more than what's ordered, or seem to be struggling with the plan?

balancing patient advocacy, safe opioid practice, and communication with the care team

How would you get a patient moving and out of bed the day after a hip or knee replacement if they're scared or in pain and resistant?

understanding of early mobility protocols critical to ortho recovery and the ability to motivate reluctant patients

How do you keep yourself and your team focused on safety when the unit is short-staffed or particularly busy?

commitment to safe practice and teamwork under real-world staffing pressure

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 34408 Aurora St. Lukes Medical Center - Med Surg: IU 11S Spine Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Schedule Weekend Program: • 36 hours per week: 12-hour shifts, 6-week schedules • Weekend Program: Every Saturday/Sunday 0700-1930 • One 12-hour shift on days 0700-1930 during the week, self-schedule • 50% holiday rotation requirement Benefits: • Comprehensive and competitive benefit package • Student Loan Forgiveness: up to $21,000 • Tuition Reimbursement: up to $7,200 per year • Differentials: Weekend program: $11.00 per hour on weekend shifts • Nurse Residency for RNs with less than 1 year experience • Military friendly • Referral Bonus Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 Where You Will Work: Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee Wisconsin 53215 11S: Ortho Spine ENT Med/Surg Specialty Where You Will Work: 11S is a 24-private bed inpatient acute care unit in the Garden Tower at St. Luke's Medical Center providing care to post-op ortho surgical patients: Orthopedic knee, hip, shoulder replacements, spine, laminectomies, fusion, ENT surgeries (airways): tracheostomies or laryngectomies, jaw wiring. 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 Weekend Program: • 36 hours per week: 12-hour shifts, 6-week schedules • Weekend Program: Every Saturday/Sunday 0700-1930 • One 12-hour shift on Days 0700-1930 during the week, self-schedule • 50% holiday rotation requirement Benefits: • Comprehensive and competitive benefit package • Student Loan Forgiveness: up to $21,000 • Tuition Reimbursement: up to $7,200 per year • Differentials: Weekend program: $11.00 per hour on weekend shifts • 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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