Career Resources / Best RN Opportunities Rockford, Illinois
Becoming a registered nurse is no small feat: only you know how hard you worked and what you had to sacrifice to earn your nursing degree and obtain your license. The dedication, hard work, and commitment have paid off, and now you’re not only working in the career you wanted, but your strong skills are in high demand! If you’re looking for a welcoming and inviting place to further your career and expand your horizons, Rockford, Illinois has a lot to offer.
Rockford, Illinois hits the sweet spot between big city and small town. Located midway between Chicago and Galena, it’s home to almost 150,000 people who enjoy the charms of its downtown scene, the beauty of its natural surroundings, and the entertainment provided by its many cultural, sports, and dining establishments.
Momentum may be the best word to describe what is happening in Rockford. The city is in the midst of a revitalization project that has attracted $442 million in public funding and $350 million in private investment funds. The improvements have attracted plenty of new residents who want the amenities of a city enhanced by woods, streams, prairies, and native wildlife. Add to that the fact that Rockford’s cost of living is 24% lower than the national average and the abundance of job opportunities offered by the many corporations locating to the area, and you can see why it’s a great place for a nurse to live and work.
Types of Healthcare Jobs in Rockville
In addition to all that Rockville has to offer from a quality of life perspective, registered nurses will find that the city is a healthcare worker’s dream. Rockville is home to several highly regarded health systems, specialists’ offices, long-term care facilities and rehabilitation hospitals. Additionally, Rockville is where you’ll find the University of Illinois Chicago’s Health Science Campus. This state-of-the-art facility provides the opportunity for registered nurses to continue their education, offering an online RN-to-BSN program, a BSN-to-MSN program, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The campus in Rockford is also home to the National Center for Rural Health Professions, which offers diverse programs and service opportunities.
There are so many great places for registered nurses to work in Rockford that it’s hard to choose just one. Below you’ll find some of the facilities we think offer the best combination of salary, benefits, flexibility, and opportunity.
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MercyHealth
Nurses at MercyHealth take great pride in knowing that their facility is one of only a few organizations in the nation to have received Magnet status for the entire healthcare system. In Rockford, the system offers the Javon Bea Hospital – Riverside, a 194-bed state-of-the-art hospital and clinic serving as the regional hub for highly specialized care for children and adults. Javon Bea Hospital – Rockton (once known as Rockford Memorial Hospital) is a community facility that provides high-quality outpatient services, including cancer care, pain management, orthopedic care, outpatient surgery, family medicine, pediatrics, and more. The system also offers a wide range of specialty centers, including an anticoagulation clinic, a cardiac arrhythmia center, homecare services, a birthing center, a brain and spine center, and an outpatient facility for family medicine, laboratory services, urgent care, and diagnostic imaging services.
Nurses interested in working for Mercyhealth in Rockford will find themselves well compensated and offered generous sign-on bonuses, as well as multiple career advancement opportunities, benefits, and educational courses.
OSF Healthcare
OSF Healthcare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. The health system encompasses 15 hospitals, home healthcare, hospice services, and multiple specialty clinics. In Rockford, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center dates back to 1899, and over the years, it added the Saint Anthony School of Nursing and moved to a new location. This hospital was the first in Rockford to achieve Magnet designation.
Registered nurses interested in working for OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center will find that the hospital has multiple opportunities, with some offering as much as a $20,000 sign-on bonus for nurses with one year of experience and $10,000 for new graduate registered nurses, which do require a specific work commitment. The hospital also offers market-competitive benefits and other rewards aimed at enhancing work/life balance, health and wellness, and education.
SwedishAmerican Hospital
SwedishAmerican Hospital became affiliated with the UW Health System in 2015, but it has been serving Rockford since 1911. Started with a one-dollar donation, the full-service hospital has grown to 339 inpatient beds and treats patients from 12 surrounding counties. It also offers the region’s largest home health agency, a free-standing outpatient cancer center, a medical center in nearby Belvidere, and a network of 30 primary care and multi-specialty clinics.
Nurses working for SwedishAmerican will find a management team that constantly strives to support their well-being. The hospital offers a unique Peer Support Program, safe nurse-to-patient ratios based on the patient’s acuity and condition, and a workplace where shared governance is key and growth opportunities are fostered.
Beyond these primary hospitals, Rockford has a wealth of specialty clinics, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, private practices and clinics that offer generous compensation and benefits, flexible schedules, and strong support for qualified registered nurses.
For information on some of the many positions available in Rockford, visit Incredible Health’s nursing job search page.
