I need your Advise "

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2009

It's a shame that a hospital will do that to someone, but unfortunately it's common in this economy. As far as I know in order for you to be here with your H1b visa you need to be working. Which H1 visa do you have? There are a few. I'm unsure if you're out of status, your best bet is to contact Immigration and ask them that question. Hope it works out for you, good luck.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 24, 2009

You need to check ASAP on your status. Your H1b/c is only for that hospital so you need to find another employer willing to do H1b/c with you which may be hard in this current climate.

You may have to consider going home

aloha51 · Aug 24, 2009

I appreciate your advise..anymore??

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 24, 2009

Can you clarify further on which H1 you are on?

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Aug 24, 2009

Did you pay an agency to come here ? I have read that some pay an agency a very high fee only to find the job is now not available. It is illegal to bring you over only the find there is no job.

Anyway if you do not have a job, you are out of status, I believe you have no choice but the leave , as soon as possible.

But more importantly you need legal advice. If you have no money, you can go "legal aide" where lawyers will see you on a reduced fee. The lawyer can tell you want legal rights you have.

If you did not use an agency, I would ask the hospital to pay for your ticket home and expenses that occurred due to there error.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Aug 26, 2009

:redbeathe:redbeatheHello to everyone. Im an International educated nurse RN and was sponsored by a hospital here in USA to work under H1 visa. I arrived here 2 months ago and im ready to start working because i just recieved my SSN 5 days ago. Unfortunately i got a call last friday from the hospital that they are on "freeze hirin" and they don't really know when I will start working. I was so devastated .. Am I out of status( Immigration per se) if i will not be working with this hosp?Can I transfer employer even i did not start working with the hospital that sponsored me? I will appreciate any adivce...Thank you so much!:redbeathe

This is an example of situations where foreign nurses need to be careful about. Working visas such as H1C and H1B are employer-specific. You can only work under the sponsorship of the employer who processed your visa. I believe you can change your visa sponsorship if you can find another employer who is willing to go through the process with you but that will hold you back from starting a job until the new employer's visa sponsorship is processed. The best route is to consult with an immigration attorney regarding your situation especially if a written contract with an employer was involved. I strongly advise foreign nurses to not post similar situations such as this one in this forum. It's not a safe thing to do in my opinion. You are basically admitting that you are at risk of being out of status and the internet is not as anonymous as you may think. Furthermore, this forum is not an avenue for anyone to receive any form of legal assistance. I wish you well and hope things work out for you.