H1b Visa sponsorship in Florida help please.

misscape21 · Oct 25, 2013

hi, i am not sure on hospitals in Florida that are willing to sponsor directly. I would probably go through an agency as they can answer more questions too. Some agencies however, have a charge for this service so make sure you read them carefully. Also if a "deal" sounds too good then it probably is. Wishing you all the very best of luck, with the current retrogression continuing its certainly not easy.

percy-rn · Dec 1, 2013

Thanks Misscape 21. I researched agencies a bit more and decided against it, they charge a lot of money for what I can do myself (send out my resume and make phonecalls to the HR department.) I have a 'maybe' in Miami so I am saying my prayers! I can't believe this whole process it has really made me stop in my tracks and think, immigration is such a contentious issue but when the very people who are so 'against' immigrants start to think about emmigrating themselves, all of a sudden it's OK! "When I retire I want to go and live in Barbados", or wherever, why is that fine but you don't want any foreigners coming to America? Oh that's right, cos all foreigners are scroungers who don't work and will just take nad not contribute and abuse the system.......but in your case that's not true....and it's not true in my case either...but how come we have to respect you but not me? Double standards, much? Hypocrisy, some? Amazing eye opener. Has strangely made me love the States even more tho lol! Perhaps I'm into S&M haha!!

steppybay · Dec 1, 2013

As an international student myself, it's more of a matter that you'll be taking a job from a US citizen. If there was plenty of open jobs and being filled by the majority of US students and nurse, then it's not so much an issue and us foreigners would be more welcomed to help with the demand. It's like in the reverse, being from the Phillipines, there's a lot of anti-foreigners going into the UK, another double standard.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2013

I don't thin people have anything against immigrants to the US...however....in a nursing market that has many unemployed nurse it doesn't make sense to the unemployed nurses (as high as 47% in some areas) to pay exorbitant fees and such when there is perfectly qualified nurses right here in the US. Hospitals are cutting staff and benefits ....laying off nurses closing floors.

The economy stinks right now. I can see how some may feel it unnecessary to pay to import nurses when there are plenty of nurses right here. If you as a new grad was unemployed for 18 months not able to get any position would you want them to bring someone from outside your country in your place and pay high fees for them to come?

You might find yourself resenting those people as well. Many countries limit immigration for employment and many countries prohibit property ownership by non natives so there are restrictions everywhere.

I think it is unfair to compare retirement to seeking a job....there are plenty of immigrants that enter this country every year. I think to paint it with a single brush stroke, calling them a hypocrite, is unfair.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 1, 2013

As someone who has lived overseas extensively, I am offended at this generalization. I can't go to the UK and expect them to offer me a job!

In the US, US citizens should and do have priority. Sorry, if you are frustrated, but we, American citizens are very frustrated too with our poor economy, high unemployment, high underemployment.

percy-rn · Dec 3, 2013

It is not true to say that I would be 'taking a job from an American nurse.' There are actually many nurse vacancies out there that managers find really hard to fill the post, it's not unheard of for posts to be vacant for months, for several reasons. Sometimes the speciality is unpopular, sometimes the shift patterns/ on call is unappealling, sometimes the hospital is in a remote or undesirable area. A h1b visa is only given if the employer can prove that they've tried, and failed, to fill the post with an AMERICAN RN. So it's a completely false belief that foreign nurses are stealing jobs from USA nurses. That may have arguably been the case in the past but with the retrogression and H1b being the only option for most, we are actually there to do those skilled jobs that American nurses don't want to do! We want to contribute, not take anything away! I would NEVER want to take jobs away from locals. Please don't think this - it is mistaken and is the cause of a lot of misdirected anger and resentment. x

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Dec 3, 2013

It is not true to say that I would be 'taking a job from an American nurse.' There are actually many nurse vacancies out there that managers find really hard to fill the post, it's not unheard of for posts to be vacant for months, for several reasons. Sometimes the speciality is unpopular, sometimes the shift patterns/ on call is unappealling, sometimes the hospital is in a remote or undesirable area. A h1b visa is only given if the employer can prove that they've tried, and failed, to fill the post with an AMERICAN RN. So it's a completely false belief that foreign nurses are stealing jobs from USA nurses. That may have arguably been the case in the past but with the retrogression and H1b being the only option for most, we are actually there to do those skilled jobs that American nurses don't want to do! We want to contribute, not take anything away! I would NEVER want to take jobs away from locals. Please don't think this - it is mistaken and is the cause of a lot of misdirected anger and resentment. x

Could you do a public service and post where these jobs are available.

percy-rn · Dec 4, 2013

Well, I could, but that's facetious and the issue is 'foreigners taking jobs from USA nurses.' Since a certain amount of overseas nurses DO get approved for H1b every year, surely its impossible for those vacancies to NOT be out there yet remain unfilled by an American nurses. Like I said, the employer has to show that they've tried and failed to fill the post with a USA citizen. I know there American nurses out there who are desperate to find work nobody including me would ever dispute that they should be the priority. But its illogical to argue that there must be a certain amount of jobs that go unfilled, otherwise the H1b visa would not exist or if it did no foreign nurse would ever get approval for one, ever. I must be a glutton for punishment coming on this site, not been on it that often and only joined recently but it's very combative. I thought the point of this site was people help each other and give advice. I've seen a few threads on here with subjects that I don't necessarily agree with but I don't go on to the threads trying to argue with whoever has posted it. If I haven't got anything helpful or constructive to say I just read it and move on. Kinda fascinating tho, theres loads of ppl out there who seem to have a lot of time on their hands for bickering and making nasty thinly veiled insults. I guess that's the nature of modern day chat room/blogs.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 4, 2013

I think the nature of our economy has many of us (myself included) frustrated with the job situation.

I do sincerely apologize if I offended you. That was not my intent.

allnurses Guide · Dec 4, 2013

There is no advantage to using an agency, except for giving away a significant chunk of change. Your best bet is to contact several major hospitals, especially those with Magnet designation that prefer bachelor-prepared nurses, and set up interviews and then come visit them. If you've already completed the requirements for the visa and for licensure etc, you do not need an agency.

You are not, however, going to find a list of facilities sponsoring foreign nurses. You just need to do the groundwork.

percy-rn · Dec 9, 2013

Thank you Ghillbert. You are right there is not really any benefit with going with an agency. Thank you for your response. I think when ppl like me ask if anyone knows of hospitals sponsoring, I know there is no list of facilities willing to do it. I was holding out a slim hope that maybe someone else out there had gone throught his process with a happy ending and could help, e.g letting me know which hospital they personally had success with. TraumaRn no offense taken (and it can only be taken, never given, lol!) Thank you for your apology anyway. I was merely pointing out what some people's attitude seems to be. But observing attitudes doesn't mean I am upset by them, it just means I am making commentary on it. Gosh there are some ppl on this website who put A LOT of posts on and get into a lot of cyber fighting and nasty remarks, that's what I was saying. I appreciate the economy has everyone frustrated. But just to reiterate what I was saying earlier.....before the H1b is even petitioned, the employer has to submit an application to the Department of Labor (Labor certification) to prove that they have had the positon advertized for some time and no USA nurse has applied for the job or if they have they were unsuitable. I don't make the rules! And I'm obviously not making this up! If there were no posts out there which went unfilled by an American Nurse then no foreign nurse would ever be granted a H1b, it would be impossible. But they do issue a certain amount each year, ergo there must be unfilled posts. You can't argue with the facts. It may seem unbelievable but clearly it is true. Otherwise the H1b would not exist. Anyway thank you everyone. Peace and love !!! :laugh: