186 Days to Go! (would like info on Chicago!)

Jolie, BSN · Nov 11, 2008

If you live in Oak Park, you will have quick and easy access via public transportation or the Eisenhower Expressway to the "Medical Center District" on the West side of the city. Within just a few square miles are Rush, U of I, Stroger (Cook County Hospital) and the VA.

Rush is always on my "recommend" list to Chicago job hunters. It is a non-union facility located within very close proximity of 2 unionized hospitals (U of I and Stroger), so to be competitive, they offer salary, benefits and working conditions in keeping with those of their near-by competitors. I started there in the NICU as a new grad, and can't say enough about the level of professionalism.

Northwestern and Children's Memorial are well-respected facilities, but not an easy commute from Oak Park. One of the things about Chicago is that some areas of the city are not readily accessible from other areas. So you need to know where you plan to live when you apply for jobs, or you could end up with a very long, ugly commute.

As for suburban facilities, Northwest Community in the Arlington Heights area is considered to be a good place to work, but also not an easy commute from Oak Park. In the far western burbs, Edward's Hospital in Naperville and Rush Copley in Aurora are worth a look. They are both a bit of a drive, but straight west on the expressway, and an easy "reverse commute".

Happy hunting!

shygoofyone · Nov 12, 2008

Thank you so much. With high property taxes in Oak Park, I'm not sure he'll be living there long. We're looking for homes in the western or northwestern suburbs. :)

PinkNBlue, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2008

Northwest Community is a wonderful place to work. But I'm bias. ;-) And it's in the NW Suburbs.

girlwithguitar81 · Dec 19, 2008

My husband and I moved from Oak Park next door to Forest Park and love it here! Still easily accessible to the El and property taxes are much lower. I work at Children's and don't find the commute to be bad at all- about 40 minutes on the CTA or 30 minutes by car. Much easier than fighting traffic to get out to the western 'burbs these days. Loyola is also very close- 10-15 minutes by car from Oak Park. Good luck!

shygoofyone · Dec 23, 2008

Thank you all so much! One more question....being from "down south," when would you recommend I start applying for positions in Chicago?

krzysiu · Dec 26, 2008

There are only 186 days until I get pinned. But, with that...comes panic!
My boyfriend (God bless him!) and I have been together since before I got into nursing school (three years ago!) He lives in Oak Park and has a great job, so I'm sure he won't be wanting to move closer to me. And, we met in Chicago when I was up there looking for a place anyway. So...
Anyone got any inside info on the area hospitals (city and burbs), nursing resident programs, etc? I have no idea where to start looking and there are WAY too many hospitals to choose from!
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Consider U of I. Basically a state job. 20 years, you're done, with 80% of your pay :)

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2009

There are only 186 days until I get pinned. But, with that...comes panic!
My boyfriend (God bless him!) and I have been together since before I got into nursing school (three years ago!) He lives in Oak Park and has a great job, so I'm sure he won't be wanting to move closer to me. And, we met in Chicago when I was up there looking for a place anyway. So...
Anyone got any inside info on the area hospitals (city and burbs), nursing resident programs, etc? I have no idea where to start looking and there are WAY too many hospitals to choose from!
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Hi

I work at Advocate Ill Masonic Hospital. It's in the Lakeview area.

We have an absolutely awesome orientation Program for New Grads.

It's the Versant Program. I believe it lasts either 16 or 18 weeks.

The Nurses who have gone thru it say it's great. I work with several & it seems to really ready them for working on there own.

If you should happen to still not be ready, they extend it even further.

We are hiring lots of people now b/c we will be reopening a few floors.

PM me if you want anymore info

Bayley · Jan 3, 2009

Does anyone know how Chicago area hospitals are about hiring new grads with an Associate's degree? I will graduate from an ASN program in NYC next year, but alot of the hospitals here aren't really hiring any new nurses unless they have a BSN so I was thinking about moving to Chicago as most of my family now lives around there. Thanks for any help and Happy New Year!