Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - Rockford, IL $145,000 - $165,000

Nurse PractitionerIncludes weekendsFull-Time Physician-Supervised State

Listed compensation

$145k-$165k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

Mercyhealth has an exciting Neonatal Nurse Practitioner opportunity to join our excellent NICU team in Rockford, Illinois.

This position allows you to provide advanced, evidence-based care for critically ill and premature newborns in a high-acuity environment while working alongside experienced neonatologists, pediatric subspecialists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other multidisciplinary team members.

Opportunity: Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Rotating day, night, weekend, and holiday coverage Highly competitive compensation: $145,000 - $165,000 hourly EPIC EMR Vast multi-specialty referral sources 501c3 non-for-profit Qualifications: Graduate of an accredited Neonatal NP program National certification as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP-BC) Hold an active state APRN license Hold an active state DEA licese, or eligible Hold an actice BLS and NRP certifications, or eligible Preferred experience as a beside registered nurse in a level III NICU Strong clinical decision-making, communication, and teamwork skills About Mercyhealth: Regional health system with 7 hospitals, 100+ primary and specialty care centers in more than 90 communities throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.

Over 950+ partnered providers and 8,250+ professionals dedicated to compassionate, quality care.

With over 125 specialty and sub-specialty services, including adult critical care, neonatal intensive care, neurosurgery, heart and vascular care together with WATCHMAN and TAVR, a cancer institute, plastic and reconstructive surgery, robotic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and much more!

About the Community

Rockford, the third-largest city in Illinois, has long been an industrial hub with a rich history rooted in manufacturing and innovation. Established in 1834, Rockford is known for its role in the furniture-making industry during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Over time, the city has transformed into a vibrant, modern community with a strong cultural scene, thriving arts, and a variety of outdoor activities.

Rockford is home to beautiful parks like the Anderson Japanese Gardens, one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, and the Rock River provides opportunities for boating and fishing. The city also hosts numerous events, including the Rockford IceHogs hockey games and the Illinois Raptor Center.

With its historical significance and diverse amenities, Rockford is a great destination for both history buffs and adventure seekers. Cost of living: Rockford has a low cost of living with affordable housing and utility rates.

Known for: The Rock River, the Anderson Japanese Gardens, and the city’s rich history in manufacturing History: Rockford, founded in 1834, has a history rooted in industrial and manufacturing growth, becoming known as the “City of Gardens.”

Learn more: Anderson Japanese Gardens Rockford History Tour Rockford: The City of Gardens Exploring Rockford's Manufacturing Heritage Rock River Adventures Makenzie Olsen, BSHA, CPCS® Provider Recruiter Mercyhealth 815-971-2920 molsen@mhemail.org PAY RANGE: $85,280.00 - $144,976.00 Mercyhealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Mercyhealth offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including: Medical, Dental, Vision Life & Disability Insurance FSA/HSA Options Generous, accruing paid time off Paid Parental and caregiver leave Career advancement and educational opportunities Tuition and certification reimbursement Certification Reimbursement Well-being Programs Employee Discounts On-Demand Pay Financial Education Annual recognition/awards events Partner appreciation days Family entertainment/attractions discount Community service/improvement opportunities Click here for more details regarding Mercyhealth Careers Benefit Information.

At Mercyhealth, we don’t simply hire people, we empower employee-partners who are passionate about making lives better.

As an integrated health system, we deliver exceptional, coordinated across seven hospitals, 85 primary and specialty clinics, and a team of over 7,500 professionals serving northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Mercyhealth has been nationally recognized for our commitment to our people and culture, including: #1 in the nation on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 One of Working Mother magazine's 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers A Top 50 Company and Top 10 Nonprofit for Executive Women For over 135 years, Mercyhealth has provided high-quality health care to residents throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

We have a passion for providing comprehensive health care close to home for area residents through our six hospitals and 85 primary and specialty care locations.

As an integrated health system, you can come to us for routine health care, like annual physicals, immunizations and preventive health screenings, as well as highly specialized care, such as neonatal intensive care, heart surgery, stroke care, neurosurgery, cancer treatment and much more.

The range of Mercyhealth's specialties and the skills of our doctors, nurses and clinical staff are truly extraordinary.

Key Responsibilities

Provide advanced, evidence-based care for critically ill and premature newborns in a Level III NICU. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including neonatologists and respiratory therapists to manage high-acuity patients.

Requirements

Must be a graduate of an accredited Neonatal NP program with NNP-BC certification and active APRN and DEA licenses. BLS and NRP certifications are required, with preferred experience as a bedside RN in a Level III NICU.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

BLS (preferred)NRP (preferred)DEA License (preferred)

Key Skills

Neonatal CareCritical Care Nursing

Neonatology — Nurse Practitioner Career Context

Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois ranks #26 of 31 employers hiring Nurse Practitioner on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Of the 50 active Neonatology listings this role was benchmarked against, 26% are remote, 46% have no call, 58% require no weekends.

Neonatology pay on WeekdayDoc is up 10.5% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$155k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $155k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Nurse Practitioner Jobs

44 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution44 jobs · 42 employers

15
<$140k
17
$140k-165k
7
$165k-190k
2
$200k
3
$215k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks35 jobs

401k / retirement match
86%
CME allowance
57%
Sign-on bonus
37%
Loan repayment
11%
Relocation assistance
9%

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Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 1.5
Below most Neonatology (NP) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 163 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes weekends

Living in Rockford

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$193k≈ 1.3× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,195/mo≈ 10% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
92.2
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Rockford, IL metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois logo

About Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois

Hospitals and Health Care
Rockford, Illinois
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical, Dental, Vision
Life & Disability Insurance
FSA/HSA Options
Generous PTO
Paid Parental and Caregiver Leave
Career Advancement Opportunities
Tuition and Certification Reimbursement
Well-being Programs