Location & Practice Overview

This Registered Nurse opportunity operates through ShiftKey’s digital marketplace, connecting independent clinicians with participating healthcare facilities across the Chicago area. Assignments take place at the accepting facility rather than a single fixed site.

Geographic Area Chicago, Illinois
Practice Model Digital healthcare staffing marketplace
Facility Types Hospitals, skilled nursing, long-term care, assisted living, rehabilitation, and behavioral health settings
Care Delivery Context On-site at the facility that accepts the shift request

Responsibilities

  • Conduct comprehensive nursing assessments, obtain vital signs, and monitor clinical observations to identify changes in patient condition.
  • Implement established care plans, deliver individualized nursing interventions, and evaluate patient responses.
  • Administer prescribed medications and treatments while monitoring for therapeutic effects and potential complications.
  • Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the facility’s electronic medical record system.
  • Coordinate care with physicians, nurses, therapists, and support staff, including clinical handoffs and escalation of concerns.
  • Provide patient and family education on treatment plans, medications, and follow-up instructions within the RN scope of practice.

Nurses follow each facility’s clinical policies, infection-prevention protocols, and safety procedures while integrating into the existing care team for the duration of the accepted shift.

Qualifications & Requirements

Candidates must hold an active Illinois Registered Nurse license and demonstrate the clinical competence needed to practice independently on accepted shifts. Individual facilities may add setting-specific requirements.

Licensure
Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in Illinois
Education
High school diploma or GED
Experience
Prior professional RN experience; newly licensed nurses may have limited shift access
Core Competencies
Patient assessment, medication administration, clinical documentation, and interdisciplinary communication
Platform Screening
Background screening, government-issued photo ID, Social Security information, current CPR/BLS, and TB screening documentation

Compensation & Benefits

A matching listing displays a verified rate of $45.00 per hour. On the marketplace, independent professionals may propose preferred rates subject to platform limits; facilities decide whether to accept each request. Actual pay is confirmed per accepted assignment.

  • Hourly rate of $45.00 listed on a matching vacancy; individual shift rates may vary
  • Payment processed after shift verification and facility invoice approval, with same-day payment options or weekly direct deposit available
  • Access to health, dental, vision, and life insurance options through ShiftKey’s partnership with Stride Health
  • Independent contractor status; earnings may be reported on IRS Form 1099 when applicable

Schedule & Work Environment

Work Arrangement Independent per-diem / PRN contracting
Scheduling Method Browse and request available shifts through the ShiftKey application
Flexibility Select shifts that match personal availability; no guaranteed minimum hours or fixed weekly commitment
Shift Variability Lengths and times vary by facility and published openings
Work Setting On-site at the participating facility that accepts the request

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

Patient characteristics and acuity depend on the specific facility and shift accepted. Assignments may involve patients with a range of medical conditions across acute, post-acute, long-term, and behavioral health environments.

Population Range Varies by facility; may include adult and older-adult patients
Acuity Level Determined by the accepting facility and unit
Clinical Environments Hospital units, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, assisted living, long-term care, and behavioral health settings
Care Continuity Support for facilities experiencing temporary staffing needs

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The clinical content of each assignment centers on direct nursing care aligned with the facility’s authorized scope of services and the nurse’s verified competencies.

Assessment & Monitoring Ongoing evaluation of physical condition, symptoms, and response to interventions
Medication & Treatment Delivery Safe administration of prescribed medications and ordered nursing treatments
Care Plan Support Implementation and progress monitoring of established nursing care plans
Safety & Infection Control Application of standard precautions and facility infection-prevention procedures

Role Highlights

This position is structured as independent per-diem work through a technology marketplace rather than a conventional facility-employed role.

  • Self-directed selection of individual shifts based on personal availability and preferred facilities
  • Opportunity to work across multiple healthcare environments without a single fixed employer schedule
  • Ability to supplement an existing nursing position or work exclusively on a per-diem basis
  • Direct marketplace matching between independent professionals and facilities posting open shifts

About ShiftKey, LLC

ShiftKey is a healthcare workforce technology company that operates a digital marketplace connecting independent licensed professionals with healthcare facilities seeking additional clinical coverage. Founded in 2016, the platform enables facilities to post open shifts and professionals to request assignments based on credentials, availability, and preferred rates. It serves hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, rehabilitation centers, behavioral health settings, and other participating organizations across numerous U.S. markets.

Organization Type Healthcare workforce technology company / digital marketplace
Founded 2016
Network Scale Connects independent professionals with more than 10,000 facilities
Professional Community Supports RNs, LPNs/LVNs, CNAs, therapists, and other licensed clinicians

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a traditional W-2 hospital staff position?
No. This is an independent contractor / per-diem opportunity through ShiftKey’s marketplace. Professionals are responsible for their own tax obligations, and earnings may be reported on Form 1099 when applicable.
Will I work at the same facility every shift?
Not necessarily. Each shift is posted by a participating facility, and the specific site, unit, and patient population depend on the assignment you request and that is accepted.
What credentials must I upload before requesting shifts?
You will need to submit your Illinois RN license, government-issued photo ID, Social Security information, current CPR/BLS certification, TB screening documentation, and complete a background screening. Some facilities may request additional items.
Can newly licensed nurses request every available shift?
The posting seeks experienced Registered Nurses. Individual facilities may require recent specialty or setting-specific experience, so newly licensed nurses should review each shift’s requirements carefully before requesting.
How does payment timing work after a completed shift?
Payment is processed after the shift is verified and the facility approves the invoice. Eligible professionals may choose same-day payment options or weekly direct deposit.
Are conventional employee benefits included?
ShiftKey partners with Stride Health to offer access to health, dental, vision, and life insurance options for independent professionals using the platform. These are benefit-access opportunities, not traditional employer-sponsored coverage.

Registered Nurse (RN) Per Diem Jobs in Chicago, IL

Registered Nurse per diem opportunities in Chicago, IL through ShiftKey provide licensed RNs with access to flexible clinical assignments across participating healthcare facilities. Nurses interested in Chicago RN jobs can explore shifts in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, assisted living communities, and long-term care settings. Each assignment has its own location, schedule, clinical expectations, and facility-specific qualifications. This independent contractor model is particularly relevant for experienced nurses seeking flexible scheduling, additional income, or opportunities to work across different healthcare environments without committing to a permanent weekly schedule. An active Illinois RN license and the ability to meet individual facility requirements are essential.

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