RN Inpatient (Straight Nights) - Med/Surg - Full Time
Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 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.
About your past
Tell me about a time you used the nursing process to change a patient's care plan.
What they are checking: Applying assessment, planning and evaluation in practice, which the posting names as the core of the role.
Tell me about a time you disagreed with a physician's order. What did you do?
What they are checking: Patient advocacy and willingness to question an order through the right channels.
This schedule is Monday through Thursday straight nights. How do you take care of yourself to stay sharp on nights?
What they are checking: Awareness of night shift fatigue and a realistic plan to stay safe for patients.
What would you do
It is 3 a.m. and a post-op patient's blood pressure is dropping and they seem more confused. Walk me through what you do.
What they are checking: Recognizing early deterioration on nights and escalating promptly when fewer providers are in the building.
A patient is angry because they cannot sleep and keep getting woken for vitals. How do you handle it?
What they are checking: Balancing patient comfort with safety and explaining care with compassion.
Two of your patients need you at the same time, and a third call light is on. How do you decide?
What they are checking: Triage thinking and use of the team, including delegating safely to nursing assistants.
About the work
How do you organize a full med/surg assignment on a 12-hour night shift so nothing important gets missed?
What they are checking: Time management and prioritization across many patients with different needs.
How do you decide when to call a provider at night and what do you have ready before you call?
What they are checking: Clinical judgment and SBAR-style communication that gets the right response quickly.
What do you do to prevent falls on a night shift when patients are confused and trying to get up?
What they are checking: Practical safety habits for a common and serious med/surg risk at night.
How do you teach a patient about new medications or wound care before discharge so they actually understand?
What they are checking: Effective patient education, including checking understanding with teach-back.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Sanford Health.