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Registered Nurse, Unit Supervisor, Med-Surg - Full-time

Mercyhealth · Freeport, IL · $87,370–$139,792 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 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

Tell me about a time you solved a problem on a unit that kept coming back.

What they are checking: Whether they dig for the root cause instead of patching the same issue every shift.

How do you onboard a new nurse so they are safe on their own by the end of orientation?

What they are checking: Whether they plan orientation with checkpoints and preceptor feedback instead of counting weeks.

Describe a time you had to follow a policy you did not fully agree with. How did you lead your staff through it?

What they are checking: Whether they can support the organization in front of staff while raising concerns through the right channel.

How would your staff describe you as a supervisor?

What they are checking: Whether they have honest self-awareness about their leadership style and how it lands with the people they lead.

What would you do

Two nurses come to you with a conflict that is spilling into patient care. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they deal with conflict quickly and fairly before it becomes a safety and retention problem.

A patient's family is upset about delays in discharge and wants to speak to someone in charge. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can calm a family, find the real cause of the delay, and fix it rather than just apologize.

Your unit is over on overtime this month. How do you bring it down without burning out staff?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage a budget target by fixing scheduling and flow rather than just denying hours.

About the work

Med-surg patients range from routine post-op to very sick. How do you build fair assignments when acuity is uneven?

What they are checking: Whether they weigh workload by patient need, not just patient count, so no nurse is quietly overloaded.

What do Press Ganey and HCAHPS results tell you, and what don't they tell you?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the limits of survey data and use it as a signal, not the whole picture.

What fall-prevention or pressure-injury practices have you seen actually work on a med-surg floor?

What they are checking: Whether they know which safety bundles change outcomes and how to keep staff using them consistently.

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The full job description

As published by Mercyhealth.

OVERVIEW This role focuses on strong leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication while supporting staff development and working toward department goals. It also emphasizes patient safety, quality care, customer service, and improving the patient experience while following healthcare standards and policies. SCHEDULE: 40-hours per week SHIFT: Variable ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Strong problem-solving abilities in complex situations. • Ability to work within the budget and productivity targets to meet organizational objectives. Participates and supports the plans in place for selection of staff, evaluation of staff, orientation of new staff, continued education and development of staff, competency evaluation of staff, appropriate scheduling of staff based on patient acuity. • Supports and partners with the Manager/Clinical Leader and ensures the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of staff are consistent and in alignment with the goals of the unit. • Outstanding relationship building skills. • Must possess strong physician relationship skills. • Patient focused with a strong commitment to delivering the highest levels of quality, safety, and customer service. Is accountable for achievement of patient satisfaction (PressGaney and HCAHPS) action plans to achieve targets for their areas of responsibility. • Supports process improvement in operations, quality, and organizational change identified for their areas. • Knowledge of accreditation and certification requirements and standards for their areas of responsibility. • Able to communicate effectively and persuasively with individuals and groups through compassion, creativity, and consistent visibility. • Participates in hospital and department committees. • Demonstrated ability in developing and mentoring staff and colleagues. • Leads by example, consistently demonstrating highly professional behavior. Demonstrates personal and professional accountability and holds others to the same. • Exhibits a passion for nursing • Serves as a role model and coach for Critical Moments of Service Standards and service recovery. • Participates in department or unit performance improvement activities, may include shared governance. • Utilizes critical thinking in regards to patient safety and patient experience and appropriately escalates to the appropriate chain of command. • Supports the professional nurse continuum and nursing clinical ladder for RNs (CARE) EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE • Graduate of an accredited nursing program. • BSN preferred. CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE • Licensed as an RN in state of practice • Approved CPR certification required within 90 days (Other certification per unit requirements: ACLS, PALS, PEARS, NRP) OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES May include color blind test (per department guidelines) LEVEL OF SUPERVISION • Performs job duties with general supervision. Regularly supervises and manages others in the performance of their positions. SUPERVISES N/A PAY RANGE: $87,370.23 - $139,792.38 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including: • Medical, Dental, Vision • Life & Disability Insurance • FSA/HSA Options • Generous, accruing paid time off • Paid Parental and caregiver leave • Career advancement and educational opportunities • Tuition and certification reimbursement • Certification Reimbursement • Well-being Programs • Employee Discounts • On-Demand Pay • Financial Education • Annual recognition/awards events • Partner appreciation days • Family entertainment/attractions discount • Community service/improvement opportunities Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information. At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better. As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: • #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 • One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers • A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women

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