Graduate Nurse Jobs in Illinois

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?

The Nursing Residency Program provides the highest level of support for new graduate nurses throughout their first year with Northwestern Medicine. Clinical orientation is tailored to the needs of the new graduate nurse with ongoing access to mentors and continued education.

We are now accepting December 2026 graduates.

Inpatient nursing schedule details: 12-hour shifts, Days 7am-730pm, Nights 7pm-730am, every other/every third weekend, holiday commitments. Full-Time hours 36/.9FTE; Part Time hours 24/.6FTE.

Inpatient Units accepting new graduates:

• Cardiac Telemetry
• Float Pool
• Inpatient Rehab (Woodstock location)
• Medical Surgical Observation
• Medical Surgical Oncology
• Neuro Telemetry

Status, shift and unit availability will be discussed during the interview process.

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

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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.

Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information https://jobs.nm.org/benefits

Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings.

If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: 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 as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.