JobsAdvocate Health

Registered Nurse (RN) - Surgical Care

Advocate Health · Elgin, IL

Posted Sep 10, 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 were caring for several post-surgical patients at once and one of them suddenly took a turn for the worse. What did you do first?

how the candidate prioritizes under pressure and recognizes early signs of deterioration

Tell me about a time you caught something a physician or surgeon missed, or disagreed with a plan of care. How did you handle it?

willingness to advocate for patients and communicate assertively with the care team

Describe a time you worked with a new graduate nurse or precepted someone. What did that experience teach you?

willingness to mentor given the unit's mix of new grads and veteran staff

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

communication skills and composure with dissatisfied patients or families

Describe a time you had to give a difficult handoff report, maybe during a chaotic shift. What did you make sure to include?

communication discipline and thoroughness during shift transitions

Technical

Walk me through how you'd assess a patient in the first few hours after they return from the OR.

knowledge of post-op assessment basics like vitals, pain, incision site, and airway

How do you keep track of drains, lines, and tubes on a surgical patient so nothing gets missed during a busy shift?

organizational habits and attention to detail with post-surgical equipment

What's your approach to preventing falls and pressure injuries on patients who are groggy from anesthesia or pain medication?

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What signs would make you concerned a surgical patient is developing a blood clot or a wound infection?

clinical knowledge of common post-surgical complications

How do you approach discharge teaching for a surgical patient going home with new limitations, like wound care or activity restrictions?

patient education skills and understanding of continuity of care

Situational

A patient's pain score is high but their vitals suggest they might be over-sedated already. What do you do?

clinical judgment balancing pain control against respiratory depression risk

How do you delegate tasks to a nursing assistant during a shift where you have a heavier patient load than usual?

comfort with delegation and teamwork on a unit with mixed experience levels

You're working nights and notice a coworker seems overwhelmed with their assignment. What do you do?

team orientation and how the person handles peer support without abandoning their own patients

This role includes every third weekend and holiday rotation on nights. How do you make sure your care stays consistent when your schedule is less predictable?

realistic buy-in to the schedule and self-management around fatigue

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 35858 Advocate Sherman Hospital - Med Surg: IU Surgical Care Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Every third weekend and holiday group committment Pay Range: $38.20 - $57.30 Registered Nurse (RN) – Surgical Care Advocate Sherman Hospital, Elgin IL Full -Time Nights Where You Will Work : Join the team on the Surgical Care Unit at Magnet designated Sherman Hospital.  Here, you’ll find a collaborative, supportive, and highly engaged team committed to delivering compassionate, safe, and exceptional care. Our nursing team spans from enthusiastic new graduates to seasoned professionals with decades of practice—alongside dedicated nursing assistants who bring diverse skills and perspectives. We’re Looking For: • Completion of an accredited or approved program in nursing, BSN Preferred • 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: Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin has been a trusted source of care for the community for more than 135 years. As an acute care hospital with a Level II Trauma Center, we serve more than 60,000 patients each year with expertise and compassion. 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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