International Nursing Student with OPT

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 14, 2011

Moved to the International forum

My understanding is you need to get a job offer within a certain period otherwise you loose your OPT. California is having a hard time for nurses so expect it will be hard for International students are the ability to stay at the end of OPT is low due to retrogression and the many years wait for a immigrant visa.

aabbccdd · Oct 14, 2011

When you apply, all they can legally ask is if you are able to work in the U.S. (...without needing a sponsor). The answer is: YES !

Although, the OPT has a time limit (1 year) it is a unrestricted working permit. I would not mention on your application or in the interview that you are a F1-OPT. Some here might disagree and think this is deceptive but you only have this precious year to get experience and there is no legal requirement to explain your immigration status in detail. Again, you have the legal right to work. Period! That's all they have to know.

Depending on your resume and work experience they might suspect you are not a citizen anyway. If they flat out ask you then of course you need to tell, but don't volunteer this information up front.

Your first order in an interview is to convince them of your passion for nursing and the job you apply for.

If you get a BSN then there is always the chance to get a H1b later but you need to think outside the box to get it. There are many non-traditional nursing jobs that require a bachelor. You could for example try to become a study co-ordinator for clinical trials. They like to hire RNs with a bachelor and your chance of getting a H1b this way is very good.

Missgenny0210 · Oct 14, 2011

To aabbccdd,

Thank you for your reply! I am getting my BSN after all :) I guess I just have to keep open mind and applying for new grad programs and/or researching for hospitals that would hopefully provide me green card afterwards.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 15, 2011

When you apply, all they can legally ask is if you are able to work in the U.S. (...without needing a sponsor). The answer is: YES !
Although, the OPT has a time limit (1 year) it is a unrestricted working permit. I would not mention on your application or in the interview that you are a F1-OPT. Some here might disagree and think this is deceptive but you only have this precious year to get experience and there is no legal requirement to explain your immigration status in detail. Again, you have the legal right to work. Period! That's all they have to know.
Depending on your resume and work experience they might suspect you are not a citizen anyway. If they flat out ask you then of course you need to tell, but don't volunteer this information up front.
Your first order in an interview is to convince them of your passion for nursing and the job you apply for.
If you get a BSN then there is always the chance to get a H1b later but you need to think outside the box to get it. There are many non-traditional nursing jobs that require a bachelor. You could for example try to become a study co-ordinator for clinical trials. They like to hire RNs with a bachelor and your chance of getting a H1b this way is very good.

Every position I have applied for asks if you can legally work , and you have declare what you status is...hundreds applying for one position, an employer would not spend money on a candidate for one year.

aabbccdd · Oct 15, 2011

I was in the same situation, F1-OPT and needed a job. I applied everywhere to get some experience. It's true, getting into a new grad program is very difficult. However, I worked as a flu-nurse and in home health and nobody asked me about my immigration status. All they wanted to know is if I am legally able to work. Most of the time they will ask you for a copy of your social security card and your driver's license. Finally, I got an interview at a big hospital (not in a new grad program though). They did not ask about my status during the interview but after they offered me a position I explained my situation. They still hired me. I think, it is important to impress with your personality instead of distracting them with your immigration status.

To all the international students out there, don't give up, it is possible to get a well paid job. However, it's very important to not get trapped by the "I need to get into a new grad program" thinking. Keep an open mind, Craiglist can be a good source to find a great job, volunteer, network during clinicals. Most of my fellow students got a job, even the one's who are international students, don't get distracted by all the whiners on AN.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 15, 2011

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf

This is the form every employee has to fill out, your employer will know the day your visa expires. I always believe to be upfront in your relationships. Any employer not checking this document is breaking the law.

H1B visas are not used for nurses.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/NurseMemo_112702.pdf

Both services are from the US government

aabbccdd · Oct 15, 2011

I-9: That's what employers do and it's perfectly fine because as an F1-OPT you have a working permit.

H1b: Not normally used for nurses but can be used, depends on the position and the article you are referencing is perfectly spelling out the conditions to be met.

dayandnight · Oct 17, 2011

I-9: That's what employers do and it's perfectly fine because as an F1-OPT you have a working permit.
H1b: Not normally used for nurses but can be used, depends on the position and the article you are referencing is perfectly spelling out the conditions to be met.

Hello.

In Washington, many hospitals have new grad residencies and it's hard to find hospitals that don't offer this (as strange as that sounds). My university hospital and its affiliated hospitals have told me that they'll never offer me a job during my OPT because they think it's not a good investment + they won't sponsor me for H1B anyways so it's not worth it to hire someone like me for OPT. (my nursing school clarified this. I was even denied a position as a student nurse because of this)

What do you suggest I do? My school is in a quarter system so I will graduate in June. I am already 1 month behind many nursing students in the US who will graduate in May and I am scared that I might not be able to get a job after I graduate with my bachelors. All I want is a full time job for my 1 year of OPT so I can move on to non-US countries and start a new life... I don't have much faith anymore for life in the US after I heard that H1B is pretty much impossible for a new grad

Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 17, 2011

H1B visas are not used for nurses.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrele...emo_112702.pdf

Please read, according to the US government there are no conditions do a new graduate for H1B visa. And your school is correct, most new grad programs are one year in length and very expensive, why would a hospital pay for your training and then have you leave ?

aabbccdd · Oct 17, 2011

Don't get hung-up on new grad positions.There are positions in healthcare and healthcare related fields that require a bachelor. The minimum requirements for H1b are 1. You have a bachelor 2. The position has a minimum requirement of a bachelor. A H1b has nothing to do with nursing and it does not exclude BSN graduates from getting a H1b. Keep an open mind, do your research and don't stare at this "new grad position" as the only salvation.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2011

But the visa requires a specialty in an occupation. For nurses the specialty wound be something like a clinical nurse specialist, FNP, critical care nurse, etc and all require special certification with years experience as a bedside nurse before certification can be granted. A FNP can bypass that with a ELMSN program. So a regular BSN doesn't qualify unless they have certification in a specialty.

The hospital I work for asks for verification of eligibility to work in the US. A social security card is valid proof. Not disclosing the visa status up front questions the ethics and integrity of the nurse. The employee has a right to know how long they have the employee for.

Keep in mind that having OPT under your belt doesn't qualify a person for H1-B visa.