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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 25, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Staff Nurse Inpatient-PACU Part-time Days

Northwestern Medicine · McHenry, IL · Part time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 22, 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

Part time days at McHenry. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting states the hours, the shift and the site.

What would you do

A patient's airway is at risk in recovery. Walk me through what you do.

What they are checking: The most urgent complication in a recovery room and the nurse is who is there.

How do you handle a patient who becomes agitated as they wake?

What they are checking: Emergence delirium is common and it is a safety problem for everyone.

How do you manage two recovering patients at once when one deteriorates?

What they are checking: The posting names determining the appropriate utilization of any assistant, but the nurse holds both.

How do you talk to a family waiting for someone in recovery?

What they are checking: The posting names collaborating with family and they have been waiting for hours.

About the work

Tell me about your PACU experience.

What they are checking: The posting is a post-anesthesia care unit role at McHenry.

How do you assess a patient waking from anesthesia and decide they are stable?

What they are checking: The core clinical work of recovery nursing.

How do you manage post-operative pain without overshooting on a sedated patient?

What they are checking: The daily balance in recovery and both errors are dangerous.

How do you decide a patient is ready to leave recovery?

What they are checking: The discharge criteria decision is what a PACU nurse is there to make.

How do you hand over to the receiving unit so nothing is lost?

What they are checking: The posting names documenting responses to interventions and the handover carries it forward.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Staff Nurse Inpatient reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. A clinically competent, registered, professional nurse who prescribes, delegates and coordinates nursing care to the acutely ill patient through the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, implementation and evaluation. Effectively interacts with patient, significant others, and other health team members, while maintaining ANA standards of professional nursing practice. Responsibilities: • Collects and analyzes data, identifies expected outcomes, develops and implements an individualized plan, coordinates care delivery and evaluates progress toward attainment of outcomes. • Directs care and determines the appropriate utilization of any assistant involved in providing direct patient care. • Collaborates with patient, family, physicians and ancillary staff. Creates a documented plan, focused on outcomes and decisions related to the care and delivery of services that indicates communications with patients, families, and others. • Participates in shared governance, committee work, and unit projects. • Evaluates and documents the patient’s responses to nursing interventions in the health record and properly individualizes the plan of care based on the evaluation of findings. • Utilizes the best available evidence, including research findings to guide practice decisions. Required : • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) • Current State of Illinois Registered Professional Nurse • American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) • Strong interpersonal skills • Ability to collaborate with others • Strong analytic abilities *Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) acceptable with commitment to obtain a BSN from an accredited program within three years of first day of employment in clinical nurse role. Preferred: • Experience in specific clinical area • Additional Preferences for the Emergency Room and the Pediatric Emergency Room • Trauma Nurse Specialist (TNS) • Emergency Communications Registered Nurse • Certified Pediatric Nurse • Certified Emergency Nurse Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more. Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.