New Grad Student, need hospital sponsorship to obtain residency

1. hello,
   
   i am a new grad student. i will be taking my nclex in the summer. i have a special circumstance.
   
   i came to the u.s. when i was only 5 years old. my family currently has an approved petition to obtain legal residency. throughout college i was an ab540 student, meaning i am undocumented.
   
   now that i am graduating, i am really having a hard time finding a job. i chose nursing because in the past hospitals have granted nurses permanent residency. i was hoping to take this route. however, now i know that hospitals are not that desperate for nurses anymore.
   
   does anyone have any recent information about hospitals sponsoring nurses? what us states would i have most luck in finding this opportunity? i need some advice. should i just go back to grad school until something changes?

   •  

2. 12 Comments

   Comment
3. 
   May 17, '12

   Skilled Nursing Facilities I know sponsor. Go to each one and see if they will sponsor you. That's your best bet. Just go to each facility and each hospital. Good luck!!
4. 
   May 18, '12

   Grad school won't help you without some actual experience. You'll just be overqualified for RN jobs and underqualified for graduate level jobs.
   
   Unfortunately not being a citizen is a massive hit on top of a market that is already massively depressed. You may have luck in extremely rural, undesirable places such as Pecos, Texas and along the Mexican border. Look into other places where people generally don't want to live and you might be able to find something. But given that there are plenty of actual citizens trying to find work, it is unlikely you will find sponsorship right now.
   
   Best of luck.
5. 
   May 22, '12

   Thank you so much! That's a real great help!!
6. 
   May 22, '12

   Unfortunately in CA, there's already a lot of nurses looking for work who are already citizens or permanent residents. So unless you can bring something truly extraordinary to the job--and with all due respect, you're a new grad so I doubt that you can--you're at a big disadvantage as far as a lot of facilities go. Many won't want to go through the hassle of sponsoring you when they can easily fill the position with a citizen. It's a bad job market all around.
   
   I agree with the other poster: try skilled nursing facilities.
   
   Best of luck!
7. 
   May 23, '12

   With retrogression you have up to 6 years wait. And the state of CA requires a SSN for the nclex.
8. 
   May 25, '12

   Thanks, I know CA is having a rough time. I'm going to look at different states as well.
9. 
   May 25, '12

   I would look into the local hospital in Pecos, Texas. I know for a fact that they were willing to sponsor another foreign nurse not too long ago.
   
   By the way, all of your threads have been merged into one discussion.

   Last edit by TheCommuter on May 25, '12
10. 
    May 27, '12

    Due to retrogression sponsorship is taking 6 plus years and it doesn't allow you to work whilst waiting. If you have a specialty they may be willing to go the H1b route however the employer has to foot all the bills, file now and you can not work until October and usually a interview is required
11. 
    May 27, '12

    Quote from newgradtitan

    Thanks, I know CA is having a rough time. I'm going to look at different states as well.

    Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community.
    
    The economy in the United States is tough all over. Not many acute care facilities will fund you in the sponsorship when there is a plethora of applicants for every position.
    
    I wish you luck in your search.
12. 
    Dec 13, '12

    thanks everyone for the input. well a lot has happened since this thread was made. long story short, i passed the NCLEX and i am now eligible to be hired in the country! so i have been applying everywhere and even had my first interview last week.
13. 
    Aug 9, '13

    Hello! Were you able to find a sponsor? I'm an international student in TX. I am a new grad nurse and also in need of a sponsor. Thanks!
14. 
    May 31, '15

    I am glad everything worked well for you. I am in the same position you were years ago and would truly appreciate some help and advise. I am about to graduate with my bachelor degree in December 2015 and I am afraid I wont be able to find a job. I cant even find a job right now to help me get the experience I need. I don't know what hospitals hire new grads or sponsors undocumented immigrants. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Must Read Topics