Med-Surg RN interview prep
Questions commonly asked of travelers in Med-Surg RN recruiter screens and clinical interviews. This is preparation, not a guarantee of any interview outcome.
Recruiter screen
1. How many years of Med-Surg RN experience do you have, and in what settings?
Mention facility type (teaching, trauma level, community) and bed count.
2. What are your preferred locations and start date?
Recruiters often focus on flexibility. Have a first choice and a few backups ready.
3. What pay package and shift are you looking for?
Know your minimum weekly take-home and whether you need guaranteed hours.
4. Do you hold compact or state licenses where you want to work?
Have license numbers and expiration dates handy — your TCV vault shows them.
5. Any requested time off during the contract?
Commonly asked up front so it can be written into the offer.
6. How recent is your experience in this specialty?
Many facilities look for recent hands-on experience; be exact about dates.
7. Which EMR systems have you used in Med-Surg RN?
Facilities commonly screen for EMR familiarity. List the ones you are comfortable charting in.
Clinical interview
1. Tell me about a typical shift and assignment in Med-Surg RN.
Describe your usual ratio or caseload and patient acuity.
2. Walk me through your experience with assessment & admission in Med-Surg RN.
Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.
3. Walk me through your experience with medication management in Med-Surg RN.
Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.
4. Walk me through your experience with cardiac & respiratory in Med-Surg RN.
Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.
5. Walk me through your experience with gi, gu & nutrition in Med-Surg RN.
Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.
6. Walk me through your experience with wound care & skin integrity in Med-Surg RN.
Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.
7. Walk me through your experience with post-surgical care in Med-Surg RN.
Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.
8. Walk me through your experience with endocrine, renal & chronic disease in Med-Surg RN.
Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.
9. Walk me through your experience with neurologic & behavioral in Med-Surg RN.
Hiring managers often focus on volume, recency, and a specific example. Use your skills checklist ratings as a guide.
10. Describe a time a patient's condition changed quickly. What did you do?
Use a short Situation–Action–Result story and mention escalation.
11. How do you get up to speed on a new unit with limited orientation?
Commonly asked of travelers. Mention asking for policies, resource staff, and the crash cart location.
12. Do you have any questions for us?
Ask about ratios, floating, charting system, parking, and orientation length.
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- • Assessment & admission (10)
- • Medication management (10)
- • Cardiac & respiratory (10)
- • GI, GU & nutrition (10)
- • Wound care & skin integrity (10)
- • Post-surgical care (10)
- • Endocrine, renal & chronic disease (10)
- • Neurologic & behavioral (10)
- • Safety, emergency & professional practice (10)
- Current license and certification expiration dates
- Your completed skills checklist for this specialty
- Two supervisor references with contact info
- A list of recent facilities and dates
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