Attn: Chicago-area ER Nurses - questions for you...

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I'm working in an ED with a ridiculous pay rate per hour. I realize that due to the fact that I've travelled (in a different specialty), I'm a little offended by staff nurse hourly wages in the area (central IL) period... but I just feel like there is a strong possibility that my time could be much better spent heading north. At this time, I'm working in a level 2 trauma center, driving 70 miles to work a day (140mi round trip)... I am pretty much half-way between my current job and the south suburbs. My frustration is building as I keep driving a ridiculous distance SOUTH instead of north, knowing that I may be a little better compensated for my time the other direction.

If you would...

What is the average starting rate of an ER nurse up there?

What kind of experience is required, and what kind is "preferred"? I realize most EDs would like someone with 2-3 yrs ED experience, but the world is not perfect, so are there hospitals you are aware of that are open to either (a) people coming in from another specialty or (b) people coming in with roughly 1 year ED experience?

What kind of credentials or certifications are REQUIRED? Does your ED require anything outside of ACLS? (TNCC, TNS, ENPC, PALS?)

Where are the best EDs to work at up there? I have been looking around at the south/southwest suburbs (think Joliet, Bolingbrook, etc)... I'd even be willing to travel farther if the price was right.

Note: I don't consider Magnet Status or fantabulistic Press Ganey surveys to equal "great places to work!" -- sitting on the "greener" side of the fence, it doesn't seem like there is much difference in terms of politics or nurse treatment. :p

THANK YOU to anyone and everyone that responds!!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I too live in central IL (near Peoria) and have done agency in Chicago at Loyola in Maywood (bad neighborhood - be careful). However, I did like their ER - very similar to the level one trauma center here in Poria. The pay was very good for agency. Unsure what their hourly rate is of course. However, and this is kinda of a bad point IMHO - they would frequntly have 9-10 agency nurses and only one or two of their own staff RNs. Might be something to consider.

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I thought I would post an update on Agency Nursing jobs in Chicago. Chicago has a lot of agency nursing work available if you know where to look and which agency to register with.

I have been doing agency nursing in Chicago for about 3 years now. I mostly do ER work but sometimes pick up ICU shifts. I have worked with several nursing agencies in Chicago and there are some good ones and some bad ones. First of all, I dont suggest using a travel agency to get a contract agency assignment here in Chicago. From what Ive seen most of the Chicago area hospitals do not use travel agencies. Most of the contract nurses Ive met here in Chicago are working for local nursing agencies. Even most of the travel nurses Ive talked with say that they couldnt find a travel nursing job in Chicago through the travel nursing agencies and had to get a contract with a local nursing agency.

I get a lot of questions about agency pay rates. First of all, just because an agency might pay more doesnt mean that it is a better nursing agency. The hospitals cancel the agency nurses that cost the most first. For ICU or ER agency work in Chicago you can expect to make $45-$52 an hour. Watch out for the agencies that say they pay up too $60 an hour because most of the time its not true. I registered with an agency that said they paid up too $60 an hour and after I regisered they said that the 60 an hour was only at 2 hospitals and no matter how many times I asked they would never book me at those hospitals. To me the most important thing to look for in a nursing agency here in Chicago is an agency that is honest. An agency that will work to understand what you are looking for and try to accomidate you. They wont always have exactly what you want but as long as they truly try on your behalf. This is what is hard to find.

For the last year ive worked exclusivly for a local agency that has been in business here in Chicago for over 15 years. They work with most of the Chicagoland hospitals and they have always been able to keep me busy. I just trust them and they are very nice people. The name of the agency is Healthcare Personnel Inc. You can find them online at http://www.HCPersonnel.com You can find a long list of the available assignments listed on their web site.

Some of the hospitals I like working at the most are: Resurrection Medical Center, West Suburban Medical Center, Christ Medical Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Lutheran General Hospital, Good Shepherd Hospital, and St Marys Hospital.

I hope this helps some local nurses better understand agency nursing in Chicago area hospitals.

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Specializes in Telemetry and ER.

I currently work in the ER at Palos Community, I know several friends who work or worked at St Joes in Joliet and Silver Cross in Joliet, the new hospital in Bolingbrook just opened their doors in November or December this year, it is a new ADVENTIST hospital..

I can just say that ER nurses are still staff nurses at ANY facility if you are hired on, however agency is different, If you are hired as a staff nurse your paid as a Staff nurse, not any more for ER, ICU, etc.

Many people I know did not like the experience of staff nursing in this area, they are the first cancelled, etc. However there are many positives I am sure to agency as well. Sometimes you have to consider all things, gas, mileage on car, benefits, etc. I hope you find a happy home whatever or whereever you choose to go.

Good LUck.:bugeyes::nurse::dncgbby:

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Hello to all! I am a ER nurse in Northwest Indiana. I am considering making the move to Illinois to make more money and get more experience. I have 5 years experience in ER at the same hospital. I have never worked anywhere else so I am a little timid to try agency route. Any recommendations on where to go, what agency, expected pay? Also what is the housing that they provide liek and the location?

Ashley

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Specializes in Emergency.
I too live in central IL (near Peoria) and have done agency in Chicago at Loyola in Maywood (bad neighborhood - be careful). However, I did like their ER - very similar to the level one trauma center here in Poria. The pay was very good for agency. Unsure what their hourly rate is of course. However, and this is kinda of a bad point IMHO - they would frequntly have 9-10 agency nurses and only one or two of their own staff RNs. Might be something to consider.

HAHAHAHAH sorry, you think Maywood is a bad neighborhood.....wow, I actually live in Chicago, if your afraid in Maywood(a nice northern neighborhood) Stay far far away from everywhere else.

Anyway I do appreciate your comment aswell, this is what I am also interested in and you helped solve an answer i had.

Thanx

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Sorry but Maywood is a bad neighborhood. Did a 1500-0300 shift there and came out to the dark, gravel parking lot where my SUV was up on bricks because someone had stolen all my tires! So yep, that in my mind qualifies as a bad neighborhood.

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I agree with the person that posted something about agency nursing in Chicago. I am an agency nurse in the Chicagoland area and that is a great way to try new hospitals and make good money and most of them even offer benefits now! I would suggest a smaller local agency that looks out for their nurses and really puts the nurses best interest first. I have been happy with Nurses PRN which is in the Chicago area. I think their website is http://www.prnhealthservices.com. Good Luck!

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