ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in Illinois
ICU Registered Nurse jobs in Illinois are among the most actively recruited positions in the state, concentrated in large academic medical centers, Level I trauma hospitals, and regional health systems serving both urban and rural communities, with demand at every level from new graduate to clinical nurse specialist. Chicago leads hiring volume, followed by Springfield and Rockford, where established systems like Northwestern Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, and Advocate Health Care maintain significant critical care staffing needs year-round. Cardiovascular ICU, neurological ICU, and medical-surgical ICU specializations see the most consistent demand across Illinois. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find ICU Registered Nurse JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 101+ ICU Registered Nurse jobs
- Full-Time: 6:45 PM – 7:15 AM
- Night Shift Weekend Package Available
Join our ICU critical care team with opportunities in Bettendorf and Rock Island, caring for high-acuity patients while working with advanced technology and a collaborative team.
Intensive Care – Bettendorf
A 10-bed ICU caring for critically ill medical and surgical patients. Nurses manage balloon pumps, CRRT, and vasoactive medications with a 1:2 nurse-to-patient ratio based on acuity.
A 12-bed MICU caring for critically ill medical and ventilated patients. Nurses utilize advanced monitoring, balloon pumps, CRRT, and vasoactive medications, with most patients at a 1:2 ratio.
An 8-bed SICU caring for critically ill surgical patients, including open-heart recovery, trauma, thoracic, vascular, and abdominal cases. Nurses receive specialized training and maintain a 1:2 ratio based on acuity.
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:
- Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
- Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
- Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities:- Delivers high quality care utilizing the nursing process while demonstrating knowledge and clinical skills of the specialty required on assigned unit in accordance with established policies, procedures and standards of care.
- Consults appropriate resources within the hospital to provide specialized education.
- Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.
- Promptly completes documentation to assure an accurate legal record of patient’s care.
- Continues professional development and involvement in professional activities that enhance nursing practice by sharing knowledge through networking and research.
Education:
- Diploma from an RN program.
License(s)/Certification(s):
- Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in primary state.
- Must apply within 90 days for licensure in secondary state.
- Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Must possess and maintain ACLS
- Specific offers are determined by various factors, such as experience, skills, internal equity, and other business needs. The salary range listed does not include other forms of compensation which may include bonuses/incentive, differential pay, or other forms of compensation or benefits that may be applicable to this role.
- Full-Time: 6:45 PM – 7:15 AM
- Night Shift Weekend Package Available
Join our ICU critical care team with opportunities in Bettendorf and Rock Island, caring for high-acuity patients while working with advanced technology and a collaborative team.
Intensive Care – Bettendorf
A 10-bed ICU caring for critically ill medical and surgical patients. Nurses manage balloon pumps, CRRT, and vasoactive medications with a 1:2 nurse-to-patient ratio based on acuity.
A 12-bed MICU caring for critically ill medical and ventilated patients. Nurses utilize advanced monitoring, balloon pumps, CRRT, and vasoactive medications, with most patients at a 1:2 ratio.
An 8-bed SICU caring for critically ill surgical patients, including open-heart recovery, trauma, thoracic, vascular, and abdominal cases. Nurses receive specialized training and maintain a 1:2 ratio based on acuity.
At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.
Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:
- Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.
- Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.
- Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.
With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.
And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.
Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.
Responsibilities:- Delivers high quality care utilizing the nursing process while demonstrating knowledge and clinical skills of the specialty required on assigned unit in accordance with established policies, procedures and standards of care.
- Consults appropriate resources within the hospital to provide specialized education.
- Demonstrates knowledge that patient and workplace safety is a priority by preventing errors, accidents and infections and reporting potential or actual concerns immediately.
- Promptly completes documentation to assure an accurate legal record of patient’s care.
- Continues professional development and involvement in professional activities that enhance nursing practice by sharing knowledge through networking and research.
Education:
- Diploma from an RN program.
License(s)/Certification(s):
- Current licensure in good standing to practice as a Registered Nurse in primary state.
- Must apply within 90 days for licensure in secondary state.
- Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
- Must possess and maintain ACLS
- Specific offers are determined by various factors, such as experience, skills, internal equity, and other business needs. The salary range listed does not include other forms of compensation which may include bonuses/incentive, differential pay, or other forms of compensation or benefits that may be applicable to this role.
See All 101+ ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find ICU Registered Nurse JobsICU Registered Nurse Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
ICU Registered Nurse Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- OSF HealthCare17
- American Traveler14
- Northwestern Medicine8
- Endeavor Health7
- Voyage Health4V
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services25
- Science & Research1
- Technology & Software1
- Consulting & Professional Services1
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in ICU registered nurse jobs across Illinois.
- Active registered nurse license issued or endorsed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Current ACLS and BLS certification required by most Illinois ICU employers
- Associate or bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program recognized in Illinois
- Minimum one to two years of critical care or ICU experience preferred for most hospital openings
- CCRN certification strongly preferred and increasingly required by Illinois Magnet-designated facilities
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems commonly used across Illinois health systems
ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a icu registered nurse in Illinois?
You become an icu registered nurse in Illinois by first completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN, then obtaining your registered nurse license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Once licensed, most Illinois hospitals require critical care orientation or a nurse residency program before independent ICU practice. Earning ACLS certification and pursuing a CCRN credential strengthens your candidacy at Illinois's competitive academic medical centers.
How much do ICU registered nurses make in Illinois?
ICU registered nurses in Illinois earn a median of about $95,990 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,170 for the lowest 10% to over $118,190 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire icu registered nurses in Illinois?
Employers hiring icu registered nurses in Illinois right now include OSF HealthCare, American Traveler, and Northwestern Medicine, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems, including those anchored in the Chicago metropolitan area, post critical care openings continuously given high patient volumes and ongoing nursing workforce needs statewide.
Which Illinois cities have the most icu registered nurse jobs?
Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford have the most icu registered nurse openings in Illinois. Chicago leads by a wide margin due to its concentration of Level I trauma centers, academic medical centers, and specialty hospitals, while Springfield and Rockford contribute meaningful volume through large regional health systems serving central and northern Illinois communities.
Are there remote icu registered nurse jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Hands-on bedside ICU nursing requires on-site presence, making fully remote positions uncommon in this field. About 0% of icu registered nurse openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those roles typically involve telehealth triage, case management, or utilization review rather than direct critical care bedside work.
How can I get hired as a icu registered nurse in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to a nurse residency or new-graduate critical care program at a large Illinois health system, where structured orientation runs several months and does not require prior ICU experience. Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and University of Chicago Medicine run formal new-grad residency tracks that place nurses directly into critical care rotations. Lateral experience in progressive care, step-down units, or emergency nursing at Illinois community hospitals also opens doors, and holding an active Illinois DFPR nursing license with current ACLS certification gives any candidate an immediate edge.
Where can I find and apply to icu registered nurse jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to icu registered nurse jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the available roles by location or specialty, find a position that fits your background and goals, and apply directly.
See All 101+ ICU Registered Nurse Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find ICU Registered Nurse Jobs