Registered Nurse (RN)- Surgical 3CD
Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 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.
Behavioral
Tell me about a time you had a patient come back from PACU or step down from surgical ICU who was more unstable than the report suggested. What did you do?
whether the candidate can assess a deteriorating post-op patient quickly and escalate appropriately rather than waiting
Tell me about a time a patient's condition changed quickly on a telemetry monitor. What did you notice and what did you do next?
comfort reading telemetry and responding to cardiac changes, since 15 of 23 beds are telemetry
Describe a situation where you disagreed with a surgeon or physician about a patient's plan of care. How did you handle it?
ability to advocate for patients while maintaining a working relationship with the care team
This unit runs shared governance, where nurses and nursing assistants have a real voice in daily operations. Tell me about a time you pushed for a change on your unit and how you got buy-in.
willingness to engage in unit-level decision-making rather than just following existing routines
Tell me about a time you had to delegate tasks to a nursing assistant during a busy shift. How did you decide what to hand off and how did you follow up?
ability to work within a team model and maintain accountability for patient outcomes
If you're new to this level of acuity, coming from a lower-acuity med-surg unit or as a new graduate, what's your plan for building competence and confidence here in the first few months?
self-awareness about the learning curve and a realistic plan for growth on a unit that serves both new grads and experienced nurses
Technical
What signs would make you worried a patient is developing a post-operative complication like an anastomotic leak, DVT, or wound infection?
depth of surgical nursing knowledge specific to the colorectal, vascular, and GYN populations this unit serves
How do you approach pain management for a surgical patient who says their pain is not controlled but you're also concerned about oversedation or respiratory depression?
clinical judgment balancing patient comfort against safety risks common on a post-surgical unit
What's your process for patient handling and transfers, especially with a patient who needs a full sliding transfer, given the physical demands of this role?
awareness of safe patient handling practices and honesty about physical readiness for the job
Situational
Walk me through how you would prioritize your first hour on a shift if you're assigned a fresh post-op vascular patient, a colorectal patient two days out who is refusing to ambulate, and a GYN patient waiting for discharge teaching.
organizational and clinical judgment skills for managing a high-acuity, mixed-surgical caseload
If a patient becomes agitated or confused after surgery and starts trying to pull out lines, what's your approach before you consider restraints?
knowledge of de-escalation techniques and least-restrictive-intervention protocols mentioned in the job's physical requirements
How do you handle a shift where you're assigned a heavier patient load than usual, maybe covering for a call-off, on a unit that already works every third weekend and rotating holidays?
resilience and time management under the staffing and scheduling realities of this specific unit
How would you explain a discharge plan to a post-surgical patient who seems anxious and isn't retaining what you're telling them?
patient education and communication skills tied to the unit's strong patient experience scores
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