Pediatrics - Nurse Practitioner - Freeport, IL - $95,280-$144,976

Nurse PractitionerIncludes callFull-Time Physician-Supervised State

Listed compensation

Compensation range: $95K–$145K

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 6mo ago

Job Description

Mercyhealth, a community-based healthcare network serving southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, is seeking a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Nursery) to join our team at Mercyhealth Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL. Mercyhealth’s Mission – “Exceptional health care services with a passion for making lives better.” Touching lives invigorates, inspires and drives us to do our very best, and we continuously look for ways to make each life better with the utmost care and professionalism Opportunity:

  • Join a Level II Nursery team providing comprehensive newborn care in a hospital-based setting
  • Full-time 7-on/7-off schedule utilizing 24-hour shifts, offering predictable time off
  • Compensation range: $95,280-$144,976
  • Partner closely with pediatricians and nursing staff to deliver high-quality neonatal care
  • Conduct daily newborn rounds, physical assessments, and manage feeder/grower plans
  • Assist in care of infants down to 32 weeks gestation with Level II capabilities
  • Respond to high-risk deliveries and Cesarean sections (~85/year) for neonatal resuscitation and stabilization
  • Participate in quality improvement initiatives and newborn care best practices Responsibilities
  • Provide comprehensive care to newborns in the Level II Nursery
  • Perform initial and ongoing physical assessments of neonates
  • Manage and coordinate care plans for newborns, including feeding and growth monitoring
  • Assist with neonatal resuscitation and stabilization during deliveries
  • Collaborate with pediatricians, nursing staff, and interdisciplinary teams
  • Participate in discharge planning and family education
  • Maintain accurate and timely documentation within the EMR
  • Adhere to clinical protocols and participate in quality and safety initiatives Qualifications:
  • Master’s Degree or Doctorate (DNP) in Nursing from an accredited institution
  • Strong clinical skills in neonatal care and ability to work in a hospital-based setting
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills
  • Commitment to compassionate, patient-centered, evidence-based care Licensure/Certifications:
  • Current Board Certification: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) preferred; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with strong Level II nursery/NICU experience considered
  • Current Illinois APRN license (or eligibility)
  • NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) certification required

DEA License (If Applicable) Compensation

  • Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
  • Sign-on bonus and relocation assistance available
  • CME allowance with dedicated CME days
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, PTO, retirement, disability, and life insurance Mercyhealth: Mercyhealth is a vertically integrated health care system in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois with approximately 800 physicians, 8,000 employees, 7 hospitals, and 80 ambulatory locations, along with pharmacies, DME, Home Health, and an insurance company. Mercyhealth combines the best of small-town medicine with access to advanced resources, creating a supportive and stable environment for providers. Community – Northwest Illinois (Freeport Area) Northwest Illinois offers a unique blend of Midwestern charm, history, and outdoor recreation. Freeport, a welcoming and family-friendly community, provides an excellent quality of life with a relaxed pace and strong sense of community. Residents enjoy excellent schools, parks, and a safe environment ideal for families. The area is rich in history, known for its role in national events and preserved through local museums and historical sites. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate nearby state parks offering hiking, camping, fishing, and boating. Conveniently located, the region provides easy access to larger metropolitan areas including Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Rockford, allowing residents to enjoy both small-town living and big-city amenities. 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

The role involves providing comprehensive care to newborns in a Level II Nursery, including conducting daily rounds, physical assessments, and managing feeder/grower plans. Responsibilities also include assisting with neonatal resuscitation during high-risk deliveries and collaborating with pediatricians and nursing staff.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a Master’s Degree or Doctorate (DNP) in Nursing and demonstrate strong clinical skills in neonatal care within a hospital setting. Required certifications include NRP, and preference is given to those with NNP Board Certification, though PNP or FNP with relevant experience may be considered, along with an active Illinois APRN license.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

NRP (preferred)DEA License (preferred)Board Certification (preferred)

Key Skills

Patient-Centered CareEMR DocumentationAPRN LicensureNRP Certification

Pediatrics — Nurse Practitioner Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$115k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $115k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Pediatrics listings this role was benchmarked against, 12% are remote, 58% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

Mercyhealth Wisconsin and Illinois ranks #16 of 18 employers hiring Nurse Practitioner on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay.

Top Nurse Practitioner Jobs

31 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution31 jobs · 28 employers

14
<$135k
5
$135k-150k
9
$150k-165k
0
$165k-180k
3
$180k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks27 jobs

401k / retirement match
81%
CME allowance
56% this job
Sign-on bonus
41% this job
Loan repayment
11%
Relocation assistance
11% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Pediatrics (NP) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 253 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
  • Includes call

Living in Freeport

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$170k≈ 2.0× annual pay
Typical market rent
$960/mo≈ 14% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
16 min
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.

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

Sign-on Bonus
Relocation Assistance
CME Allowance
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
PTO
Retirement