
The Staff Nurse License Pending exemplifies the attributes of an NM nurse, reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
The Staff Nurse License Pending position adheres to the State of Illinois Nurse Practice Act (225 ILCS 65/ Nurse Practice Act. (ilga.gov) and is used for graduate nurses who have passed the NCLEX exam but have not received their Illinois license and/or RNs licensed in another state pending completion of the Illinois licensure process. The RNLP may function under direct supervision in the capacity of a staff nurse. Unsupervised practice before receipt of license may result in denial of licensure. While supervised, the staff nurse, registered professional nurse, license pending (RNLP) is responsible for the provision and coordination of clinically competent care for an assigned group of patients that includes assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation. As a member of the clinical care and unit team, the RNLP participates in decision-making, teaching, leadership functions, research and quality improvement activities that enhance patient care outcomes and unit operations. The RNLP will remain as an orientee until license is received by the State of Illinois.
Responsibilities:
Qualifications
Required:
Preferred:
Equal Opportunity
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.

Northwestern Medicine is the collaboration between Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine around a strategic vision to transform the future of health care. It encompasses the research, teaching, and patient care activities of the academic medical center. Sharing a commitment to superior quality, academic excellence and patient safety, the organizations within Northwestern Medicine comprise a combined workforce of more than 33,000 among clinical and administrative staff, medical and science faculty and medical students. Northwestern Medicine is comprised of more than 200 locations throughout the region, with five Northwestern Medicine hospitals ranked among “America's Best” by U.S. News & World Report, 2025 – 2026, our legacy of better medicine continues. What makes us better, makes you better.®