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Chicago has many top healthcare facilities, making it easy for nurses and other medical professionals to find attractive jobs and establish or enhance their careers. As the third-largest city in the United States, living in Chicago offers big-city excitement, plenty of convenience and fantastic places to work. When choosing a workplace, gather all the necessary information to help you determine whether a potential employer is a good fit for you.
The facilities featured in this article don’t represent a “Top 10” list but offer a sampling of some of the best hospitals in Chicago based on facility and employee reviews. We also considered information from independent sources, such as U.S. News & World Report, to help you compare career opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a travel nursing job or permanent nursing position, you’re sure to find some great options among these healthcare employers.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
U.S. News & World Report lists Northwestern Memorial Hospital as the best hospital in Chicago and one of the top hospitals in the country. It ranks nationally in the top 10 for cancer treatment, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics and neurology and neurosurgery. It also ranks highly in obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, urology and pulmonology and lung surgery. The Northwestern complex also includes Prentice Women’s Hospital, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Stone Institute of Psychiatry.
Located in the heart of Downtown Chicago, employees rank Northwestern Memorial fairly well, with many stating that they have no reason to change employers and appreciate how Northwestern helps them advance their careers. Its retirement plan also receives praise, as do the state-of-the-art facilities. Northwestern offers its staff competitive benefits like student loan repayment and professional development and employs travel nurses to supplement staffing. It earned Magnet status, the highest recognition for nursing excellence, in 2006 and was redesignated regularly throughout the intervening years.
University of Chicago Medical Center
As the No. 3 hospital in Chicago, with the No. 2 children’s hospital, the University of Chicago Medical Center ranks in the top 20 nationwide in cancer, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery and obstetrics and gynecology. It’s also nationally ranked in cardiology and heart surgery, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, pulmonology and lung surgery, urology and ear, nose and throat care. This teaching hospital also encompasses Bernard Mitchell Hospital, Comer Children’s Hospital and Chicago Lying-In Hospital, which specializes in radiology and internal medicine.
The University of Chicago Medical Center opened its doors in 1927, and its employees often express appreciation for the dedicated, diverse staff they work alongside. Benefits are particularly strong, with transportation assistance, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance and retirement plans offered. It offers a nursing residency program and medical and nursing continuing education opportunities. It previously held Magnet status in 2018.
Rush University Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center ranks as the No. 20 hospital in the United States and the second-best hospital in Chicago. This teaching hospital is associated with Rush Children’s Hospital and Johnston R. Bowman Health Center, also in Chicagoland. Rush University Medical Center is ranked No. 4 nationwide for neurology and neurosurgery and No. 5 for orthopedics. It’s also nationally ranked in cancer treatment, cardiology and heart surgery, gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, pulmonology and lung surgery, urology and ear, nose and throat care.
Consistently recognized for its outstanding patient care, research, education and community partnerships, Rush employees tend to express overall job satisfaction. They describe their experience working at Rush University Medical Center as a family-like culture, with diverse and helpful staff and a pleasant work atmosphere. Employees also appreciate the encouragement to seek additional education and the openness to innovation. Rush University Medical Center first earned Magnet status in 2006.
Loyola University Medical Center
Loyola University Medical Center in the suburb of Maywood is the No. 6 hospital in Chicago and the state. It’s affiliated with the well-known Ronald McDonald Children’s Hospital. The hospital ranked nationally for its performance in gastroenterology and GI surgery as well as ear, nose and throat. It’s also ranked as high-performing for cardiology and heart surgery, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology and lung surgery.
Employees at Loyola University Medical Center praise the team spirit, efficient organization, ability to create flexible schedules, and management’s willingness to extend a listening ear to staff. Loyola offers a wide range of travel positions in nursing and other healthcare fields. Staff nurses choose from various shift options, including at the hospital or at its two ambulatory surgery centers, imaging center or 22 off-campus outpatient health centers. Loyola earned Magnet status in 2009, has been redesignated twice and is up for renewal in 2024.
NorthShore University Health System (Metro Chicago)
Located in Evanston, NorthShore University Health System (Metro Chicago) is part of the greater NorthShore network, which also includes NorthShore Evanston Hospital, Glenbrook Hospital, Skokie Hospital and Highland Park Hospital. The NorthShore Metro Chicago hospital ranked nationally in orthopedics and diabetes and endocrinology. It also receives high-performing ratings in gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, pulmonology and lung surgery and urology.
NorthShore’s employees appreciate the people they work with, and they welcome the challenging nature of their jobs. The facility earned Magnet status in 2010, 2015 and 2019, with its next redesignation due in 2024. Employee benefits include health savings and flexible spending accounts, PTO, continuing education, retirement plans, wellness programs and health, dental, vision and life insurance.
Advocate Christ Medical Center
Advocate Christ Medical Center, along with its affiliated facility Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital, is nationally ranked in obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology and heart surgery and pediatric cardiology and heart surgery. This teaching hospital in the suburb of Oak Lawn also receives high-performing status in cancer treatment, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics and pulmonology and lung surgery.
Advocate Christ Medical Center employees appreciate the care management shows for staff, with many giving praise to the mentoring they’ve received. Staff also mention their appreciation for being listened to when they propose innovations and tout having some control over their scheduling as a big plus. Advocate Christ includes travel nurses in its mix of healthcare professionals to ensure adequate staffing, and it initially earned Magnet status in 2005. As part of the Advocate Health System, benefits include tuition reimbursement, employee assistance programs, adoption assistance, flexible spending accounts, pet and life insurance and medical, dental and vision.
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Located in the Park Ridge suburb, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is a faith-based teaching hospital nationally ranked for its work in pulmonology and lung surgery. The hospital also rated high-performing in gastroenterology and GI surgery, neurology and neurosurgery and urology. Advocate Lutheran partners with Advocate Children’s Hospital to provide care to the littlest patients.
Most employees consider Advocate Lutheran to offer a pleasant work environment and appreciate the supportive management. Advancement opportunities are abundant, flexible schedules are available and parking is free, which some employees consider a nice perk. Advocate Lutheran originally earned Magnet status in 2005 and provides access to clinical trials and advanced medical treatments. It includes a Level 1 Trauma Center and 651 beds, with 89 specialties covered among its varied staff.
Edward Hospital
Edward Hospital’s main campus lies in the Chicago suburb of Naperville. The hospital ranks high-performing in gastroenterology and GI surgery, pulmonology and lung surgery and urology. It also receives high-performing marks for colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery, diabetes care, kidney failure care, spinal fusion, stroke care, maternity care and COPD care, and several orthopedics procedures, including hip and knee replacements. Edward Hospital has been named one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care for cardiology procedures, including abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortic valve surgery and heart bypass surgery.
Employees appreciate the feeling of teamwork they get working at Edward Hospital. Staff tends to stay put, indicating their happiness with their jobs. Several employees point out the facility’s support for continuing education, noting that they’ve received financial scholarships. They also appreciate benefits, including a strong 401(k) retirement plan and free turkeys at Thanksgiving. Edward Hospital earned Magnet status in 2005 and each intervening year since.
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Part of the Advocate Healthcare System and located in Barrington, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital has been named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals. It ranked high-performing in gastroenterology and GI surgery, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology and lung surgery and urology. In addition, it receives high-performing marks for several procedures, including colon and prostate cancer surgery, heart bypass surgery, maternity care and the treatment of heart attack, heart failure and kidney failure. Advocate Good Shepherd received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award and earned Magnet status in 2013.
Patients express gratitude for their care at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. Employees note that their schedules are relatively flexible, and they were allowed to arrange hours to attend school. Advocate Good Shepherd hires travel RNs in all specialties.
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center holds national rankings in gastroenterology and GI surgery. It’s also considered high-performing in geriatrics, orthopedics and pulmonology and lung surgery. The teaching hospital’s maternity care also ranks well, as does its care for stroke, kidney failure, heart failure and heart attack. Advocate Illinois Masonic is included in America’s 250 Best Hospitals and has won an excellence award for its critical care. It earned Magnet status in 2008 and again in 2022.
Satisfaction with the work environment at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center depends largely on which department an employee works in, with some departments winning praise. Staff members speak highly of their coworkers, especially the RNs. Employees wish they could negotiate their salaries but appreciate the benefits, including pet and life insurance, employee assistance programs, flexible spending accounts and medical, dental and vision. Advocate Illinois Masonic regularly hires travel nurses to enhance staffing.
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