Registered Nurse Jobs in Illinois

Registered Nurse jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, with steady demand at every level from new graduate through charge nurse and nurse manager across hospital systems, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics. Chicago, Peoria, and Rockford anchor the highest concentrations of openings, where established systems such as Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and OSF HealthCare continuously recruit. Critical care, med-surg, and emergency nursing remain the most consistently in-demand specialties statewide. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles139+
Top employerAdvocate Aurora Health
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring66
Work type72% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 139+ Registered Nurse jobs

Mercy Medical Center
Registered Nurse
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Mercy Medical Center
New 14h ago
Registered Nurse
Mercy Medical Center
Aurora, Illinois
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$35 - $53/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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OSF HealthCare
Registered Nurse
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OSF HealthCare
New 15h ago
Registered Nurse
OSF HealthCare
Peoria, Illinois
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$34 - $51/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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American Traveler
Travel RN - Med/Surg - Oncology
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American Traveler
New 16h ago
Travel RN - Med/Surg - Oncology
American Traveler
Chicago, Illinois
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
501-1,000

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American Traveler
Travel RN - Telemetry - Intermediate Care
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American Traveler
New 16h ago
Travel RN - Telemetry - Intermediate Care
American Traveler
Maryville, Illinois
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
BLS Certification
501-1,000

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American Traveler
Travel RN - Pediatric PACU
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American Traveler
New 16h ago
Travel RN - Pediatric PACU
American Traveler
Chicago, Illinois
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
501-1,000

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Registered Nurse Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Rockford
7 jobs
Peoria
5 jobs
Urbana
4 jobs
Freeport
4 jobs
Oak Lawn
4 jobs
New Lenox
4 jobs
Niles
3 jobs
Aurora
3 jobs

Registered Nurse Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Advocate Aurora Health
    Advocate Aurora Health10
  • Mercyhealth
    Mercyhealth9
  • CVS Health
    CVS Health7
  • White Glove Placement
    White Glove Placement6
  • Rush University Medical Center
    Rush University Medical Center6

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in registered nurse jobs across Illinois.

  • Active registered nurse license issued or recognized by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
  • Associate degree in nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program
  • Current BLS certification issued by the American Heart Association
  • Minimum one year of clinical experience in an acute care or specialty setting
  • Strong proficiency with electronic health record systems such as Epic or Cerner
  • Ability to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays as required

Registered Nurse Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a registered nurse in Illinois?

You become a registered nurse in Illinois by completing an accredited nursing program, either an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, then passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Licensure is issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which requires a clean application, proof of education, and exam results. Nurses licensed in other states may qualify through endorsement rather than retaking the exam.

How much do registered nurses make in Illinois?

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 registered nurses in Illinois?

Employers hiring registered nurses in Illinois right now include Advocate Aurora Health, Mercyhealth, and CVS Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large integrated health systems, academic medical centers, and regional hospital networks account for the majority of consistent openings across the state.

Which Illinois cities have the most registered nurse jobs?

Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria have the most registered nurse openings in Illinois right now. Chicago drives the largest share of demand given its concentration of academic medical centers, specialty hospitals, and large health systems, while Peoria and Rockford serve as regional healthcare hubs anchored by major employers like OSF HealthCare and Mercyhealth that generate consistent hiring outside the metro.

Are there remote registered nurse jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Registered nursing is an inherently hands-on, patient-facing profession, so the large majority of roles require on-site presence. About 28% of registered nurse openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are concentrated in utilization review, case management, and telephonic triage rather than direct bedside care.

How can I get hired as a registered nurse in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry point is a new graduate nurse residency program, and large Illinois systems including Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health Care, and UChicago Medicine run structured residencies specifically designed for nurses without professional experience. Applying to med-surg or long-term care units is also practical, as those settings hire new graduates more readily than specialty floors. Holding an active Illinois license and a current BLS certification before you apply gives your application an immediate edge over candidates still awaiting credentials.

Where can I find and apply to registered nurse jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to registered nurse jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings from employers actively hiring. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 139+ Registered Nurse Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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