Location & Practice Overview

This Clinical Nurse role is based in the NMH Departure Lounge at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, an academic medical center in downtown Chicago that partners with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Facility Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Department NMH Departure Lounge
Practice Type Hospital-based transitional care area
Care Setting Inpatient discharge support unit
Geographic Context Downtown Chicago, Illinois

Responsibilities

  • Assess patients assigned to the Departure Lounge and develop individualized nursing plans of care using the nursing process.
  • Implement evidence-based nursing interventions, evaluate patient responses, and adjust care plans as clinical needs change.
  • Educate patients and families on relevant aspects of care and address questions or concerns related to discharge readiness.
  • Document assessments, interventions, and responses accurately in the health record and communicate key information during handoffs.
  • Coordinate with the multidisciplinary team to support continuity of care and resolve operational issues affecting safe discharge.
  • Escalate clinical concerns appropriately and participate in quality improvement and professional development activities.

The nurse applies professional judgment across assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation while advocating for patients during the final phase of their hospital stay.

Qualifications & Requirements

Candidates must hold the required nursing education, Illinois license, and certification. Relevant clinical experience is preferred but no minimum years of RN employment are mandated in the posting.

Education
BSN or higher from an NLN-accredited nursing school or college
License
Current Illinois Registered Professional Nurse license
Certification
Current American Heart Association BLS CPR
Preferred Experience
Previous experience in a relevant clinical area
Core Skills
Analytical ability, strong oral and written communication, keyboard proficiency, professional collaboration

Compensation & Benefits

Hourly pay is listed as $36.50–$58.40. Eligible full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package subject to Northwestern Medicine plan rules and eligibility periods.

  • Hourly rate: $36.50–$58.40
  • Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage
  • Paid time off, sick leave, and parental leave benefits
  • 401(k) with employer matching after one year of service
  • Tuition assistance up to $10,000 per fiscal year and student loan repayment up to $100 monthly ($10,000 lifetime maximum)
  • Professional development reimbursement up to $1,000 per year and $250 annual well-being fund

Schedule & Work Environment

Employment Type Full-Time
Shift Day Shift (1st Shift)
Work Setting Onsite at Northwestern Memorial Hospital Departure Lounge
Hours Detail Exact start/end times and weekly hour total not specified in the posting

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

Patients in the Departure Lounge have already been medically cleared for discharge and are awaiting final departure arrangements. The unit supports hospital throughput by freeing inpatient beds for other admissions, including those from the Emergency Department.

Patient Status Medically cleared for discharge
Care Phase Transitional period before final departure
Clinical Context Hospital discharge and throughput support
Acuity Focus Stable patients ready for transition out of inpatient care

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The clinical work centers on maintaining safe, continuous nursing care for patients in the final stage of their hospital stay while supporting efficient discharge processes.

Transitional Nursing Care Ongoing assessment and support for discharge-ready patients
Discharge Coordination Support Facilitating timely completion of departure arrangements
Patient & Family Education Instruction on care topics relevant to the transition home or next setting
Care Continuity Communication and handoff processes that bridge inpatient and post-hospital care

Role Highlights

This position operates within a dedicated hospital throughput initiative rather than a traditional inpatient unit.

  • Placement in a specialized Departure Lounge designed to accelerate safe discharges and improve bed availability
  • Direct contribution to hospital-wide capacity for Emergency Department patients awaiting inpatient beds
  • Focus on the final phase of the inpatient stay rather than acute inpatient management
  • Integration into Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Magnet-recognized nursing environment and shared leadership processes

About Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

Northwestern Medicine is an integrated academic healthcare system serving the Chicago metropolitan area and Northern Illinois. Northwestern Memorial Hospital is its downtown Chicago academic medical center and maintains a teaching and clinical partnership with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The hospital holds Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Organization Type Integrated academic healthcare system
Primary Facility Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
Academic Affiliation Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Nursing Recognition Magnet designation by ANCC
Service Area Chicago metropolitan area and Northern Illinois

Frequently Asked Questions

Is prior experience in a discharge or transitional care unit required?
No minimum years of experience or specific Departure Lounge background is mandated. Previous experience in a relevant clinical area is preferred and may strengthen an application.
Are new graduate nurses eligible to apply?
The posting does not explicitly confirm eligibility for newly licensed nurses without prior clinical employment. Candidates should discuss their background during the recruitment process.
What is the primary purpose of the NMH Departure Lounge?
It provides a designated area for patients who are medically cleared for discharge while final arrangements are completed, helping free inpatient beds for other patients, including those waiting in the Emergency Department.
Does the role involve direct acute inpatient care?
The focus is on patients already cleared for discharge rather than managing ongoing acute inpatient needs. Nursing care continues in a transitional setting that supports safe departure and hospital throughput.
Are weekend or holiday shifts required?
The published description does not specify weekend or holiday rotation details. Candidates should confirm scheduling expectations with the recruiter.
Is specialty nursing certification required?
Specialty certification is preferred if the candidate is eligible, but it is not listed as a mandatory requirement.

Clinical Nurse Career Opportunity in Chicago, Illinois

Registered nurses exploring hospital nursing jobs in Chicago can consider this full-time Clinical Nurse opportunity at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Based in the NMH Departure Lounge, the position offers experience within an academic medical center and a specialized hospital care environment focused on discharge-ready patients. The role combines professional nursing assessment, patient education, clinical documentation, and multidisciplinary coordination during the transition out of inpatient care. For Illinois-licensed RNs seeking a day-shift nursing position in downtown Chicago, this opportunity provides involvement in patient-centered transitional care and hospital-wide care coordination at Northwestern Medicine.

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