Nursing Jobs in Rockford, Illinois

One of the largest cities in Illinois, Rockford is located to the far north of the state on the banks of the Rock River, about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. If you’re looking for nursing jobs in Rockford, this city has lots to offer you. Take a look at what’s in store.

Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Illinois

• Is Illinois a compact state? No. However, nurses can be licensed by exam or endorsement.
• What do RNs earn in Rockford? The average annual salary for RN jobs in Rockford is $77,190, compared to the national average RN salary of $89,010.
• Where can I find information about RN license requirements in Illinois? Visit the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center for current information, and also check out our article on how to renew a nursing license in Illinois.

What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Rockford

As Illinois’ fifth most populous city, Rockford is home to around 149,000 people who keep hospitals, doctors’ offices, and skilled nursing facilities plenty busy. Looking to pursue a healthcare career here as an RN, CNA, or LPN? You can choose from many types of nurse jobs. Rockford has positions for nursing professionals seeking full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, and even per diem positions.

Curious about whom you’d be caring for in this area? The city has a median age of 36, and people ages 65 and older make up 17% of the city. Around 58% of residents are single and 42% are married; 25% of married couples have children, and 28% of people have children but aren’t married.

One way you can stand out to potential employers is to make sure cultural competency is part of your skill set before you apply to nurse jobs — Rockford has a diverse population: 21% of residents are Black, 18% are of Hispanic ethnicity, and 3% are Asian.

Working in Rockford, IL

Because Rockford is near three major U.S. cities — Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison, WI — quality healthcare providers are also in close proximity. This includes local institutions like OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center (a Level I trauma center) and Mercyhealth, the region’s largest and oldest health care system, which comprises: 

• Rockford Memorial Hospital
• Rockford Health Physicians (nine locations)
• Van Matre HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital
• Visiting Nurses Association
• Rockford Memorial Development Foundation

Healthcare is among the city’s main industries, which creates a big demand for nursing jobs in Rockford. But these hospitals and medical centers are not the only facilities with nurse jobs. Rockfordhas a number of community clinics and nursing homes that rely on healthcare professionals such as yourself.

So, how long would it take you to get to your job if you lived here? On average, residents’ commute time is about 21 minutes. Around 80% of the workforce commutes via car and 11% carpools. There’s the option to take mass transit to get you all around the city, but only 2% of residents do so to get them to and from their jobs.

Need someone to watch your kids while you’re working? Rockford public schools offer a variety of child care programs including before and after care and summer camps. If you’re a pet parent and are busy working a double, you have your choice of local pet sitters who can come walk your dog and feed your cat.

Living in Rockford, IL

Known in pop culture as the home of the Rockford Peaches women’s baseball team and rock n roll icons Cheap Trick, Rockford may not get the same level of attention that Chicago or Springfield gets, but this city more than holds its own in terms of things to do.

For starters, the Riverfront Museum Campus comprises three awesome museums: the Burpee Museum of Natural History, the Discovery Center Museum, and the Rockford Art Museum. If you want to get closer to nature, the Anderson Japanese Gardens is celebrated as one of the most impressive in North America. Not to be outdone, the Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens is the third largest of its kind in the state.

Find out why Rockford is known as the Forest City with a trip to the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, which features more than 10,000 acres of green space, lakes, and recreational areas for you to enjoy.

The restaurant scene in Rockford boasts everything from old-school Italian to comfort food and beyond. In the warmer months, hit up the Rockford City Market for local produce, flowers, coffee and more.

If you want to get out of town for a bit, the Chicago Rockford International Airport is four miles from the center of town, and you also have O’Hare International Airport just 75 miles away. In terms of day trips, Rockford’s location puts you under two hours away from all that Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison, WI, have to offer.

The year-round weather in Rockford is typical for this part of the country: humid, wet, and warm in the summer and quite cold and snowy in the winter. During the year, the temperature ranges from around 15 degrees to 84 degrees.

One standout feature of Rockford is that it has a lower cost of living by around 12%. Home prices are 36% below the national average, and monthly rents are 18% lower. Your dollar goes further here.

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