The first freestanding children's hospital in the country and the first hospital in Illinois to be designated as a Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Children's Memorial has again received the highest accreditation conferred for nursing excellence. Initial designation was received in 2001 and reconfirmed in 2005. Less than 5 percent of U.S. hospitals have achieved and/or maintained this distinction.
Hospitals that earn this prestigious award are recognized for an outstanding environment for professional nursing. This includes excellent patient-to-nurse ratios, an innovative and active nursing research program, and a clinical governance structure that thrives on the input of staff nurses for decision making.
Children's Memorial is also one of a handful of hospitals in the country to be designated a “Destination Nursing” hospital by the Nursing Executive Center, a division of the Health Care Advisory Board. The designation recognizes our ability to recruit and retain nurses during the current shortage. Our nursing turnover rate is exceptionally low at less than 10 percent, and our nursing vacancy rate is 2.8 percent compared to a national rate of 11 percent.
We have made a promise to our employees that states:
Our promise to you is this: to cultivate a challenging yet compassionate work environment, to help you achieve your professional and personal goals, to recognize your strong performance, and to listen to your feedback and act upon it. Fulfilling this promise is how Children's Memorial will remain a great place to work.
To deliver on this promise, we offer up to $5,000 per year in tuition reimbursement, grants for research and external conferences, flexible scheduling, a weekend incentive program, a tax sheltered annuity with a hospital match, a results- sharing program , RN internship program, and a Clinical Ladder.
Children's Memorial has recently added new nursing positions due to increased volume. If you love caring for children and are interested in finding out more about opportunities at Children's Memorial, one of the nation's top 10 pediatric hospitals as ranked by US News and World Report, browse through the Website, including job listings or contact us directly at 773.880.4045.
Michelle Stephenson, DNP, RN
Chief Nurse Executive
Fred Love Krehbiel Chair in Nursing Excellence