JobsAdvocate Health

Registered Nurse (RN) - Post Surgical

Advocate Health · Milwaukee, WI

Posted Sep 13, 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 managed a patient with an epidural or PCA pump and something didn't look right. What did you notice and what did you do?

hands-on familiarity with pain management devices common on this unit and whether they escalate concerns appropriately

Tell me about a time a post-surgical patient's condition changed quickly. What were the early signs you caught and what did you do next?

clinical judgment and recognition of deterioration in a stepdown-from-ICU population

Describe a time you disagreed with a physician or provider about a patient's plan of care. How did you raise it and what happened?

advocacy skills and comfort speaking up within a hierarchy without damaging working relationships

What does shared governance mean to you, and can you give an example of a time you helped change something on your unit or in your practice?

fit with the unit's stated culture of nurse-driven decision making, not just tolerance of it

Tell me about a time you had to de-escalate a patient or family member who was upset or agitated.

verbal de-escalation skill referenced directly in the job's physical and safety requirements

How do you stay current with certifications or specialty knowledge, and what's drawn you to specialize further, whether that's med-surg, telemetry, or something like critical care down the line?

alignment with the unit's high rate of certified nurses and its role as a stepping stone toward ICU, ED, OR, or NP tracks

Tell me about a shift where everything felt like it was going wrong at once. How did you get through it and what did you learn?

resilience and self-awareness under the sustained pressure typical of a fast-paced surgical floor

Technical

What's your experience with high-alert drips like insulin, heparin, or dobutamine, and how do you double-check your math and settings before starting or adjusting one?

comfort and safety practices with the specific medication drips this unit runs

How do you approach admitting a patient straight from PACU or Surgical ICU, given that's the bulk of what comes onto this floor?

knowledge of post-anesthesia and post-ICU transition assessments and handoff communication

What's your understanding of telemetry monitoring basics, since this unit has beds that flex into that use?

baseline cardiac monitoring competency even though the unit isn't purely telemetry

Situational

Walk me through how you'd prioritize your patients if you had five post-op patients and one of them just came back from PACU while another is on a heparin drip due for a level check.

whether the candidate can triage competing acute needs on a heavy fast-paced load without missing a time-sensitive task

A patient with an abdominal drain and a wound VAC is also on tube feeds, and their family is anxious and asking a lot of questions during your assessment. How do you handle that visit?

ability to juggle technical task load with communication and family management under time pressure

If you're covering six patients on nights and two need something at the same time, one a pain med and the other looks like they might be having a complication, what do you do?

real-time prioritization and delegation skills under a heavier night ratio

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Scheduled Hours  NIGHTS 1900-0730 72 Hours per pay period  3-12 hours shifts per week Student Loan Forgiveness Tuition Assistance RN Referral $500 for Advocate Aurora Teammates Military/Veteran Friendly Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 Registered Nurse (RN) – Surgical 3EF   Milwaukee, 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:   26 bed post op surgical unit, with 16 bed of telemetry available. FAST PACED post op surgical unit, caring for patients with Gastroenterology, Urology, Gynecology, and Plastic Surgery populations, abdominal drains, wound VACS’s, PCA’s, epidurals, tube feedings etc.  75% of patients are admitted from PACU or as stepdown from Surgical ICU. Manages the care of 4-5 patients on day and PM shift and 5-6 patients on the night. 3EF can manage patients on the following drips: insulin, ketamine, dobutamine, heparin, angiomax, etc.   This is a great unit for experienced Med-Surg nurses seeking to advance their skills and grow in their practice. It is also a great foundational unit for new graduate nurses who seek to eventually develop into more advanced clinical settings, such as ICU, ED, OR, and NP.   We are a top performing inpatient unit as measured by their quality outcomes. With one of the highest rates for certified nurses in the hospital, 3EF nurses demonstrate their lifelong commitment to excellent clinical practice and patient outcomes. Shared Governance is engrained within the culture on the unit, where nurses and nursing assistants have a strong voice in the daily operations. 3EF received top team member engagement scores in 2021. 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   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. 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 description 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.

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