Registered Nurse - Critical Care
US Veterans Health Administration
Chicago, Illinois
$80k–$149k/yr
Posted pay
About a minute · no account or résumé needed.
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Posted Jul 29, 2026 · Last seen active Jul 30, 2026
What the posting states
- Base pay
- $80,018-$149,392
About this role
Show full description
Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship
- English Language Proficiency
- Graduate of a school of professional nursing accredited by ACEN or CCNE
- Current, full, active, and unrestricted RN license in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia
- BSN preferred
- CCRN Certification preferred
- At least 5 years of ICU experience preferred
- Stroke/NIHSS Certification preferred
Benefits
- Competitive salary with regular salary increases and potential performance awards
- 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays)
- Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
- Federal 401K with up to 5% contributions by VA
- Federal health insurance
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Term life insurance
About the employer
The U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the healthcare arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs, operating as the nation's largest integrated healthcare system serving America's veterans. The Seattle, Washington (98108) location is part of this federal healthcare network, which…
What reviewers appreciate
- Noble and mission-driven work serving veterans and their families
- Clear core values (I CARE: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence) guiding all interactions
- Interdisciplinary team collaboration model
What reviewers flag
- Tiered hiring preference limits external applicant opportunities, with first consideration given to current permanent VA employees
- Strict educational and experience requirements (BSN with 2 years or MSN with 1 year specialized experience) may create barriers to entry
- Federal hiring process may be slower and more bureaucratic than private sector
Living in Chicago, IL
Chicago delivers big-city energy with lakefront charm along Lake Michigan, world-class medical centers, and neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Wicker Park that blend dining, culture, and community. Nurses relocating here will find a metro area rich in career opportunity, transit access, and Midwestern character.
- Metro price level · Chicago area
- 103.6
- 4% above the national average
- Median gross rent
- $1,440/mo
- rent and tenant-paid utilities
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · 2024 metro Regional Price Parities · Census ACS 2024
On your path
ICU / Critical Care is a first-year unit lane. The classic route: base year, then transfer in.
Worth asking
The posting doesn’t answer these. Good ones to ask a recruiter or in the interview.
- Can you walk me through the differentials?
- What should I expect for shifts, weekly hours, weekend, holiday, call, and rotation?
- What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
- How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
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