International LPN Student seeking sponsorship

Agne · Jan 18, 2009

Hello, I am also on F1 visa here in Michigan now using my year OPT as LPN and working in the hospital on medical surgical floor (love it). I'm going back to RN school in 2010 because they only offer it even years in that college. I was wondering if there is any way to continue working in the hospital as LPN while getting my RN? I found a sponsor in the hospital too. My OPT will expire in July 2009. And if yes, what paperwork do I need? Thank You very much in advance!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 18, 2009

Hello, I am also on F1 visa here in Michigan now using my year OPT as LPN and working in the hospital on medical surgical floor (love it). I'm going back to RN school in 2010 because they only offer it even years in that college. I was wondering if there is any way to continue working in the hospital as LPN while getting my RN? I found a sponsor in the hospital too. My OPT will expire in July 2009. And if yes, what paperwork do I need? Thank You very much in advance!

There is no way at the moment unless maintaining student status for you to stay and work after OPT. Also LPN doesn't meet requirements set by immigration only RN does. If you can't maintain student status you will have to return home and wait for your training to start in2010

allnurses Guide · Jan 18, 2009

While enrolled for your RN as an F1 student, you are only permitted to work 20hrs/wk, usually on-campus.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 19, 2009

You will not be able to begin work while you are in the RN program until you meet the new requirements for the CPT for your program. You will not be able to work full-time as well. Not sure when your OPT will be up, but you need to know specifics about your student visa as well. A student visa is still what you on while you are on the OPT; once it is done, you are only given 60 days to remain in the US or to continue on with your schooling to keep your student status. If your OPT expires this summer, then you are going to have issues if the program does not begin again until 2010 as you will not be a full-time student during that time. You also will not be permitted to work in anyway during that time as well.

Not sure if your advisor has explained this to you.

Agne · Jan 19, 2009

Thank You so much! This is so unfair... all I want to do is work as LPN and I can't...these rules are too complicated...

I was told by my advisor that i will have to take some random classes in the fall 2009 just to keep my f1 status. My OPT expires in July 2009, so I still have some time to work as LPN. The question is are they gonna give me another OPT after I finish my RN??? Cause if not then I should just go back to my country...I am not sure...

RNGrad2006 · Jan 20, 2009

Agne,

It may seem unfair to you but the same rules apply to everyone. Since there is no shortage of LPN's the visa is impossible to get. I went to school in the US for an LPN and since I am Canadian crossed the border to work in Canada since I couldn't work in the US. It confused the border guards to no end because they are more used to things the other way around. I eventually got my RN and now my employer offers tuition reimbursement towards my BSN. I consider myself very fortunate. Many are in your position. Try not to look at it so negatively. If you have to take some classes for the fall of 2009 I would concentrate on classes that you may later be able to apply towards a BSN if that is something you want to do down the road.

yoginurse2b · Jan 20, 2009

Thank You so much! This is so unfair... all I want to do is work as LPN and I can't...these rules are too complicated...
I was told by my advisor that i will have to take some random classes in the fall 2009 just to keep my f1 status. My OPT expires in July 2009, so I still have some time to work as LPN. The question is are they gonna give me another OPT after I finish my RN??? Cause if not then I should just go back to my country...I am not sure...

Yes, you will get another OPT after you are done with your RN.

You can also work under CPT while going to school, but it's only part time (20 hours/week). You can work full time during summer or winter with CPT. The thing with CPT is, you have to apply each semester you are in school. Just make sure you maintain a full time status.

Good luck!

Agne · Jan 20, 2009

So then... the plan is to go to my international student advisor and apply for CPT (what is CPT stand for?) before my OPT expires, and then I can continue working 20 hours/week in the hospital. Applying after each semester seems often but if that helps to keep my LPN job in the hospital then thats good. Thank You very much!!! :)

yoginurse2b · Jan 20, 2009

CPT stands for curricular practical training. You can read more here. Make sure that your hospital allows you to work part time. Talk to both your current employer and international student advisor on this issue. You can only apply for CPT once you get your new I-20. Good luck to you!

Agne · Jan 20, 2009

Thank You very much!!! It was very helpful!!! :)

suzanne4, RN · Jan 22, 2009

Let's backtrack for a moment. You qualified for the OPT after you completed your LPN training since it was done under the F-1. However, you do not qualify for the CPT until you are in the next program that issues a degree. So of taking a few classes to keep your status for the F-1 does not give you the CPT, that needs to be applied for once you have started the actual RN program and are enrolled in it. And this will permit you only to work up to 20 hours per week, you will not be permitted to work full-time again until you are able to qualify for the next OPT. Next problem is that you will then need to continue on with your schooling after that one year to maintain your student status as you will be in the same circle yet again. We do not expect anything to open up for the AOS for at least another five years due to the ongoing retrogression and the long line that is already waiting for the visa. Just wanted to make sure that you are aware of this and the fact that after the OPT, it will start all over again. Only that it will also be two years before getting the OPT until the BSN is completed.

It has nothing to do with going to see your advisor before the OPT is completed. One of the requirements for the CPT is that you are enrolled in a program that grants a degree as well. It will not benefit you to do this. Until you have actually started in the RN program, you are not going to be able to work in the US under a CPT. And the one year OPT is never extended. This is what we have been trying to explain to you and your advisor should have given you this information as well.

Once your OPT expires, you will not be able to work in the US until you start in the RN program and meet their requirements as far as the CPT. It is not just given out when you are enrolled in classes. So, you are looking at 6 months where you will not be able to work in most cases, this is something that you are going to need to check with your school. New criteria will need to be met as well, same as with getting the CPT at other times. New program and therefore new requirements.

Your taking the classes is just to maintain the F-1 status, but this has nothing to do with the CPT. That comes once you enter the next program.

knzaku · Feb 18, 2009

Wait a minute! Before shooting for CPT be adviced that if you cover 12 months of full-time CPT, you will not be eligible for OPT when you complete your RN program. If you decide to got for it make sure you take it for short periods. You can take it as many times as you wish but make you one session doesn't go for 12 months! The other alternative is to go back to school and then apply for work permit on Hardship basis. You will be able to work 20 hrs during school semesters and 40 hrs during holidays. You only need to have been in F-1 status for I year to qualify for this and then show that you have financial difficulties arising from your student status. Your DSO should be able to give you more info. Good luck and welcome to the complicated US immigration laws.