Surgical Services RN - Registered Nurse

As a Surgical Services RN at MercyOne Dubuque, your main responsibilities involve providing high-quality care before, during, and after surgical procedures. You will prepare patients for surgery, assist the surgical team, and monitor patients through recovery. You'll also be expected to maintain a collaborative environment that fosters patient safety and comfort, ensuring adherence to MercyOne's standards of care.

To become a Surgical Services RN at MercyOne Dubuque, you should hold an active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Iowa and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is preferred. Additionally, gaining certification from a recognized nursing organization enhances your qualifications. You'll need to have basic life support certification and undergo mandatory reporter training within specified timelines.

MercyOne Dubuque is committed to the ongoing professional development of its Surgical Services RNs. You will have opportunities to join professional nursing organizations, participate in training workshops, and access resources for continuing education, all aimed at enhancing your practice and skills in nursing excellence, as demonstrated by our Magnet designation.

At MercyOne Dubuque, we offer a flexible self-scheduling approach for Surgical Services RNs. Nursing staff can plan their shifts according to their availability, which helps in creating a balanced work-life scenario. Whether you prefer 8- or 12-hour shifts, block scheduling for weekends and holidays is available to provide more consistent work patterns.

The team culture for Surgical Services RNs at MercyOne Dubuque is rooted in collaboration, respect, and shared values. Recognized as a Magnet® hospital for excellence in nursing, the environment encourages teamwork and open communication. Colleagues support each other to provide the best patient care while fostering a positive and inclusive workplace.

A great way to answer this question is by sharing a personal story about your passion for helping patients and your interest in surgical nursing. Discuss how you've witnessed the impact of surgical care and how that inspired you to provide high-quality service in that area.

Respond by outlining your approach to following protocols, triple-checking everything from consent to cleanliness, and maintaining effective communication with your team. Emphasize your focus on evidence-based practices and being vigilant in monitoring patients.

This is a chance to demonstrate your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Describe the scenario clearly, then explain your role and how you collaborated with the surgical team to address the challenges while keeping the patient’s needs a priority.

Share how you engage in continuous learning through attending seminars, participating in professional organizations, and reading relevant journals. This shows your commitment to professional development as a Surgical Services RN.

Highlight the importance of professional communication and teamwork. Explain that you would address the concern promptly and respectfully, aiming to ensure patient safety first, while also maintaining a collaborative atmosphere.

Discuss qualities like compassion, attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Emphasize how these qualities can enhance patient care and team dynamics.

Talk about your strategy for offering clear, understandable information and answering any questions. Highlight the importance of empathy in your communication to help ease patients' and families' concerns before and after surgical procedures.

It’s a good idea to mention your familiarity with EMR systems and the importance of accurate documentation. Discuss any specific systems you've used and how they enhanced patient care through better record-keeping.

This is a chance to showcase your organizational skills. Discuss techniques you use to assess priorities quickly, such as handling urgent tasks immediately, delegating appropriately, and making sure all protocols are followed.

Express that you are looking for a collaborative environment where everyone works together for the best outcomes. Communicate your expectation for open lines of communication, respect, and a mutual commitment to patient care as a part of the surgical team.