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Registered Nurse, SDS/PACU

City of Hope Chicago · Zion, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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.

About your past

The posting talks about relationship-based care. How do you build a real connection with a patient and family in the short time you have them?

What they are checking: Whether they can make brief encounters feel personal and calm in a fast-moving setting.

Tell me about a time you caught something in pre-op that stopped or delayed a surgery.

What they are checking: Willingness to speak up for patient safety even when it slows the schedule.

What PACU or perioperative experience do you have, and are you ACLS and PALS certified?

What they are checking: Readiness for the phase I and phase II recovery work this unit needs.

What would you do

You are on call and get paged after hours for an emergency case. How do you handle that?

What they are checking: Reliability on the required call rotation and readiness to function well when called in.

A family member is upset because they have not heard anything for two hours during surgery. What do you do?

What they are checking: Compassion and communication that keeps families informed and reduces anxiety.

About the work

Your patient in PACU is drowsy, breathing shallowly, and their oxygen saturation is dropping. Walk me through what you do.

What they are checking: Fast airway assessment and management after anesthesia, including when to call anesthesia.

How do you prepare an older adult for surgery in same-day surgery so nothing gets missed?

What they are checking: Thorough pre-op checks like NPO status, consent, meds and fall risk for geriatric patients.

How do you assess and manage post-op pain for a patient who was already on opioids for cancer pain?

What they are checking: Skill in managing pain for opioid-tolerant oncology patients without oversedation.

What discharge criteria do you use before sending a same-day patient home, and how do you teach the caregiver?

What they are checking: Safe discharge judgment and clear teaching for the people caring for the patient at home.

How do you build an individualized plan of care for a geriatric patient who has some confusion after surgery?

What they are checking: Recognition of post-op delirium risk and tailoring care to the older adult.

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The full job description

As published by City of Hope Chicago.

Registered Nurse, SDS/PACU About City of Hope , City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked top 5 in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. The successful candidate: • Must be able to work Monday-Friday days, with required call rotation. • Individualized care to the geriatric and adult patient and family is provided within the realm of relationship-based care. • An Individualized plan of care is provided; utilizing the nursing process including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation. • Independently guides nursing practice and evaluates patient specific outcomes. • Responsible for inspiring to ensure clinically excellent outcomes through effective delegation in the exercise of his/her independent judgement. • Utilizes effective communication to support a culture of caring and healing in which the patient and family are the central focus. • Nursing care address physical, spiritual, emotional and educational needs of the patient, and coordinates the plan of care with other healthcare professional’s patients, support persons and all members of the healthcare team. • To assess, evaluate, implement, collect data, document, monitor, administer pre and post-operative medications to all surgical patients. • Directs the care delivered by other licensed and unlicensed clinicians. • Assist with physicians with procedures. • Prioritize care for all types of surgical patients. Qualifications Your qualifications should include: • 2 Years of hospital experience with telemetry • Graduate of NLNAC or CCNE school of Nursing • State of Illinois Registered Nurse License. • BLS certification upon hire and maintained in position. • ACLS certification upon hire or obtained within 90 days of hire and maintained in position. City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer. City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location. Please note : City of Hope is committed to a safe and transparent hiring experience. Please be aware that scammers may attempt to impersonate our organization through fake job postings, emails or interviews. • Apply only through our official website or trusted partner platforms. • City of Hope will never request payment or fees at any stage of the hiring process. • We will not request sensitive personal or financial information prior to the acceptance of a formal offer. • All communications will come from official @coh.org email addresses. • Interviews are conducted only through approved, professional channels. • Be cautious of unsolicited communications, urgent requests or opportunities that seem inconsistent with standard hiring practices. • If you receive any suspicious communication, please report it to careers@coh.org .

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