I don't know much about the job market in the Chicago area but here in California things are finally looking up. The economy hurt new nurses badly for two reasons. Many older nurses nearing retirement kept working to re-coop the losses to their retirement plans, secondly budget cuts (From medicare and medicaid reinbursments) have caused hospitals to cut back on New Grad programs.
Finding a job as a new grad depends a lot on your own tenacity. It won't just fall into your lap. Still with a BS in Biology you may beable to simply take the core requirements and get a BSN. Also take you BS in Biology and check out the big hospital's at the medical schools. They also need research assistants. The pay may not be what you like but right now any job is better than no job. Trust me........ This too shall pass.
Hppy