International Nursing Student -# work hours permitted in Masters program?

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Hi All,

one of my friend is applying nursing master program, and the program requires students to work in the third year during school time. However, my friend is an international students, and she's been told that all of hospitals in American not provide sponsorship anymore. In other words, she will be not able to work in hospital if she doesn't have working visa. She's considering is there any place she can work at other than hospital, such as clinic in which can provide working visa? If not, she may not apply nursing program since she's not able to work at the third year in school and also after her graduation. And have anyone ever heard the policy that American hospital won't provide sponsorship for internationals? Do anyone know what kind of visa does she need as a registered nurse in future? thank you.

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I'm no expert on this, but I thought students could work (to a limited extent, some maximum number of hours a week) on a student visa, in jobs related to their studies.

It is true that few US hospitals are sponsoring international nurses in the current economic climate. With so many unemployed US nurses, there's just not a need.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

There is a distinction between 'work' in terms of a clinical experience for education as opposed to paid employment. Many types of professional graduate programs require a lengthy unpaid internship, so it may still be possible. Consult an immigration attorney to clarify.

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Thank you elkpark and Silver2.

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I don't know but my friend at work got hired with a student visa as a new grad . They are refusing to sponsor her and she must leave by June 1. They already posted her position even before she resigned ! This is in the state of NY .

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Moved to allnurses International Nursing forum.

International nursing students in the US thread under our FAQ section has info you seek.

University UC Davis powerpoint:

F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) General Information

Univ. Michigan:Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 Students

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)– during your academic program.

  • There is no limit to the amount of CPT you can use. If you are approved for more than 12months of full-time CPT, you will not be eligible to apply for OPT

Optional Practical Training (OPT) – after completion of program

  • The maximum length of OPT approval is 12 months

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