Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Jobs in Illinois
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner jobs in Illinois represent one of the most active advanced practice markets in the Midwest, with sustained demand from major health systems, academic medical centers, and specialized inpatient programs at every level from new graduate to seasoned senior clinician. Chicago, Peoria, and Springfield anchor most of the hiring, where employers like Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and OSF HealthCare maintain consistent acute care NP needs. The most in-demand specialties are critical care, cardiovascular, and hospital medicine. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
Job Description
Northwestern Medicine has an exciting opportunity for either a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician Assistant to work in our inpatient Neurocritical Care department with opportunity to help support floor service lines occasionally. The APP works alongside residents, fellows and Neurocritical Care attendings on our teaching service. Our Neurocritical Care APP team provides 24/7 coverage of our NSICU with excellent opportunities for professional growth and independent practice. In this role, you will work alongside leaders in the field of Neurosciences in a nationally ranked neuroscience program.
Schedule: PRN (about one shift per week)
- required to work approximately every 3rd weekend; approximately 1 winter holiday (Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's) and 1 spring holiday (Memorial Day/4th of July/Labor Day)
- no on-call
Essential Functions:
- Demonstrates clinical expertise and expanded knowledge through patient care activities which may include diagnosis and management of a wide range of health problems.
- Responsible for health outcome of an assigned patient population.
- Confers with collaborating physician and other health professionals in area of clinical expertise.
- Develops appropriate educational systems for patients, families and staff in areas of expertise.
- Mentors graduate students in aspects of advanced practice and patient care.
- Actively participates in quality improvement and/or research pertinent to area of expertise.
Responsibilities:
- Conducts comprehensive appraisals of patients' health status by taking health histories and performing physical examinations in clinical area.
- Provides direct clinical care to patients.
- Prescribes/orders medications, therapies; orders/interprets laboratory tests, x-rays and procedures according to clinical privileges.
- Evaluates patients to determine their need for further health care.
- Provides comprehensive teaching to patients and families.
- Documents in the medical record all care and education provided and/or procedures performed for which the Licensed Advanced Practice Provider is responsible.
- Refers to other disciplines as appropriate.
- Consultant to other disciplines in areas of expertise.
- Integrates research based knowledge and clinical expertise in decision making.
- Exemplifies a professional image in appearance, manner and presentation.
- Advocate for patients, families, coworkers, and the community.
- Maintains certifications and continuing education as required for licensure and privileging.
- Serves as a patient advocate and role model for "Patients First".
- Participates in unit/departmental/divisional or hospital committees/task forces as appropriate.
- Provides comprehensive teaching strategies for patients and their families.
- Develops and participates in programs to meet continuing education needs of staff.
- Serves as a role model and preceptor to students.
- Provides formal education to both internal and external groups pertinent to area of specialty.
- Participates in quality improvement and/or research initiatives for specific patient population as appropriate.
Qualifications
Required:
- Master’s degree from an accredited school/college of nursing OR master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program
- Acute care certification required for APRNs
- Current license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Current or pending license as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois. Certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse by a national certifying body as approved by the Illinois Department of Regulation APRN Board. Master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program/Current or pending license as a Physician Assistant in the State of Illinois.
- Privileged and credentialed through the NMH Medical Staff Office (MSO)
- Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation – BLS and ACLS, issued by the American Heart Association
Preferred:
- 2 years of clinical experience in area of specialty.
Additional Information
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.
See All 14 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsAcute Care Nurse Practitioner Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northwestern Medicine10

- CardioRenal Therapeutics2C
- Deaconess Health System1

- Lawrence County Memorial Hospital1

Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in acute care nurse practitioner jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license with acute care certification
- Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice from an accredited program
- National board certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner through ANCC or AACN
- Current Illinois Controlled Substance license for prescriptive authority
- Minimum two years of clinical experience in an acute, critical, or inpatient care setting
- Current BLS and ACLS certifications required at time of hire
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a acute care nurse practitioner in Illinois?
You become an acute care nurse practitioner in Illinois by completing an accredited Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice program with an acute care NP focus, then passing the ANCC or AACN acute care certification exam. After national certification, you apply for an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and obtain a separate Illinois Controlled Substance license to prescribe.
How much do acute care nurse practitioners make in Illinois?
Acute care nurse practitioners in Illinois earn a median of about $130,680 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $102,440 for the lowest 10% to over $161,470 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire acute care nurse practitioners in Illinois?
Employers hiring acute care nurse practitioners in Illinois right now include Northwestern Medicine, CardioRenal Therapeutics, and Deaconess Health System, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large academic health systems and regional hospital networks drive consistent volume, with positions across inpatient medicine, specialty floors, and intensive care units.
Which Illinois cities have the most acute care nurse practitioner jobs?
The cities with the most acute care nurse practitioner openings in Illinois are Chicago, Glenview, and Winfield. Chicago dominates by sheer volume given its concentration of academic medical centers and large health systems, while Peoria and Springfield generate steady openings through OSF HealthCare and major regional hospital campuses that serve wide downstate catchment areas.
Are there remote acute care nurse practitioner jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Acute care nurse practitioner work is fundamentally hands-on and bedside-focused, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 17% of acute care nurse practitioner openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those roles are typically in telehealth triage, care coordination, or utilization management rather than direct inpatient care.
How can I get hired as a acute care nurse practitioner in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to new-graduate NP residency or fellowship programs, which Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and the University of Illinois Health system run specifically for newly licensed advanced practice nurses. These structured programs provide supervised acute care rotations and are designed for candidates without independent NP experience. Having your Illinois APRN license, national acute care certification, and strong inpatient RN experience in a step-down or ICU setting gives candidates a clear competitive edge.
Where can I find and apply to acute care nurse practitioner jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to acute care nurse practitioner jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring right now. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 14 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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