getting hired with OPT (in Texas)

[saraltx]

I passed NCLEX last week and have 3 more weeks before my 6 months of fulltime OPT. All the way through school I was sure that I already had a future employer, but the way things are going right now, I'm beginning to have some doubts.

My college is in a small town and I had a scholarship from a local hospital here during school. I've been working there as a nurse tech part time during my last year of school.

In late April I had my interview for an RN position, and it seemed like everything went perfect, except that they don't seem to have any experience with OPT and sponsoring nurses, but I was told they will do whatever they need to do to get me to work for them.

Then, for weeks I didn't hear anything. I asked for an update and was told I needed to submit a whole new application and come for a second interview. I sent an email asking why they can't use the application they already have, but didn't hear anything back, so I submitted another application.

I also applied at a local nursing home where I was told that they have a lot of positions, but never contacted me, even after I asked for an update of the status of my application.

To come to the end of the story, it all seems to go so slow and they seem to know so little about my situation here, that I've started thinking about going to another hospital and move to the Dallas area, where I guess they should have more experience with foreign nurses.

Is it generally hard to be hired on OPT as a new grad, since it is only for 6 months? And what hospitals in Dallas might be willing to hire me? Is it reasonable to think that I should get a job there within about 2 weeks?

Sorry for making this so long and thanks for any suggestions. I'm just beginning to get a bit discouraged about everything.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

You are aware even after OPT with retrogression there is no way currently for you to adjust your status and stay and work. This is one of the reasons we are seeing people struggling in places to find hospitals willing to accept OPT candidates because hospitals aren't willing on training you up knowing they can not petition you and you stay with the hospital to work

[saraltx]

I'm aware of the retrogression issue. That's why I want to try and make enough money during my OPT to be able to go for my BSN afterwards.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

All you can do is ring hospitals and ask. Because it is 6 months you may have difficulties but only way to find out is contact them

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I'd be extremely surprised if any hospital would hire any nurse for just six months. It's just not worth training someone who will leave so soon. I'd focus on nursing home type places that may be more desperate for staff if I were you and needed a job so quickly.

[Proverbs 16:3]

how bout you work for a hospital that gives h1c? A friend just got one but it took her about 2 or 3 months for the whole process to go through. i heard it's supposed to take a month but hers took that long. She couldn't work till she got the h1c but at least that'll give you more time than 6months. The hospital she works for doesn't seem to have that many positions available now, especially for new grads so that's the only problem. but see if you can find hospitals that offer h1c or the h1b. you kinda need to talk to people to find out.

best wishes.

[suzanne4, RN]

One cannot even apply for one of these other visas without actually having a Visa Screen Certificate in hand. A petition will not even be looked at.

H1-C visas are actually very limited, there are only 500 across the country and they also expire in 2010 and we do not expect them to be renewed. The majority of facilities that will hire under the H1-B are also restricted and there is a lottery that needs to be met to even have a chance at one in most cases as well as restrictions on the educational level of the nurse for the H series visas and the fact that the job must require the BSN for entry level and have not seen that with most of the jobs that are offered in Texas as well.

[Proverbs 16:3]

well, Upenn requires bsn. i don't know about a visascreen certificate and all that so i can't say anything about them. I just know someone who got a work visa from one of the hospitals here on the east coast last month. It took 3months but i know she did get it. And there are others who've had it as well.

For those of you looking for these visas, listen, but don't let someone discourage you. Yes, there is a retrogression and all that but don't let let the pessimistic talks get to you.