Hospitals sponsoring RNs for a H1b visa - help!!!

[BennyBear]

Hello everyone

Please can anyone help me. I am aware of all of the visa and retrogression issues that have been going on for several years now. However I am finding it very hard to accept that there are NO hospitals out there willing to employ overseas RNs via a H1b visa. I have passed the NCLEX, got my RN license (Texas, which is where I want to live and work but I would be willing to work elsewhere), have my VisaScreen certificate and am planning to take the CNOR (certified nurse operating room) exam in July. I hold a BSN. I am a perioperative (OR/PACU) nurse with 4 years experience in the UK. I have my eyes open and know the visa situation is extremely tough right now but surely there is a hospital somewhere in TX who employs foreign RNs who meet the criteria for the visa. I realise that there is more of a chance of being taken on by a rural hospital than a busy inner city one. I have applied for several positions and have not had any replies from ANYONE, not even 'thanks but no thanks' emails of acknowledgment. I was in TX last month and tried to make appointments to meet with HR/recruitment staff in several hospitals but was turned away and told to apply online, and every recruiter I have spoken to on the phone says 'sorry we do not employ non-USA nurses at this time.' UTMB Galveston have said 'maybe' with a BSN but they couldn't be sure that the application wouldn't be rejected as I don't have an MSN. Obtaining a masters' is not really an option for me as it would take too long and I am already at my wits end. Short of calling every single hospital in Texas I don't know what to do. Can anyone help me please? It has been our dream (my husband is an ER/A&E nurse) to live in Texas for so long, we absolutely love it there and desperately want to make it our home. Thanks!

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

There are several pieces of inaccurate information in this thread.

1. You are NOT required to have a specialty certification to be eligible for H1B. However anything showing "specialist" qualifications is ana advantage, particularly in a competitive market.

2. H1B visas are not issues only once a year, particularly if the hospital is university-affiliated. Most of these facilities are "cap exempt", meaning they do not come into the limit and can be issued at any time throughout the year.

3. If you hold a current US nursing license and are work-authorized, you are as qualified to provide patient care as any other US-licensed RN.

[neepi13]

hi,I read about difficulties to get h1 visa for h4 VISA nurses .. what about MSN on h4 visa

[Mxhou]

Hi all, im in similar situation. I have BSN, about 11 years experience, Passed Nclex. got valid texas nursing license. I'm eligible for H1B1 visa but no luck with hospitals willing to sponsor.

At my wits ends. Kindly advice.........

[aabbccdd]

It is not advisable to go from F1 to greencard because of non-immigration intent status of F1. One of the the best ways is H1B to greencard. To get into H1B you have to find a niche. Either find a hospital that is not-for-profit or educational (H1B cap exempt) and/or find a health care job that is not typical nursing. I also was an international student and I graduated from an ADN program back in 2010 (but I had a bachelor in a different field as well). I applied for OPT and since I had no choice I grabbed whatever I could get. I found ALL of my jobs on Craigslist. I was a flu-shot nurse, I worked in Home Health for a month and finally I found a job at a big hospital (yes, through Craigslist). The job at the hospital is not a typical nursing job, I work in Clinical Research, but as a foreign student you need to find a niche. I got my H1B through this niche. Clinical Research hires BSN nurses and if you find a clinical research job at a not-for-profit organisation you are H1B cap exempt and need not to worry about April 1st deadlines, H1B lottery, etc. This is not an easy way, but possible. If you want to stay, work, and get sponsored, think about non-traditional nursing jobs.

Good Luck

[Krizgo]

Hey aabbccdd. I was wondering if you could guide me more on what you said. How can I look for these kind of jobs? I have been applying for positions at hospitals (I know, how dumb). How should I refine my search? How did you find your job at the hospital though Craigslist? How should I search? What so you mean with a Niche? You mean a group that will help you? How do I find a non-for-profit hospital?

I have my BSN and just passed NCLEX a week ago. I also, have a F-1 visa and I am about to get my OPT

[Krizgo]

BennyBear what happened?? Did you figure something out?

I hope you did!!!!

best wishes!

[Edinburgh]

Hello Bennybear, are you still looking for a position or have you gotten one. Where in Texas are you?

[ssk5]

can you please tell me ,about niche?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

can you please tell me ,about niche?

Niche-- highly specialized experienced professional such as a perfusionist that specialized in ECMO with neonatal patients. Or an infusion nurse qualified and experienced in placing PICC and central lines and administration of specialized parenteral medications and treatments.

[ssk5]

Do they sponser h1b for nurses?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Do they sponser h1b for nurses?

H1B requires BSN or 10+ years current specialized practice. Last numbers show that there were extremely few nurses sponsored for H1B visas in the major areas of Texas in the past few years.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Do they sponser h1b for nurses?

To give you an idea, nursing isn't even in the top 200 occupations approved for H1B for 2013 & 2014. If you look by state none of the top 200 sponsors in Texas have sponsored nurses. But again you need at least a BSN or 10-12 years recent experience, you previously stated you have only a diploma and less than 5 years experience from a few years ago. Not trying to be discouraging but realistic.

http://www.myvisajobs.com/Reports/2014-H1B-Visa-Category.aspx?T=OC