International student about to finish school, where to start?

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hello all!

I have one full year left in nursing school, i know that seem like a long time (and it is) but i like to plan ahead because my status is very different from most. i am from Jamaica, but i am presently in nursing school at a private small college in mississippi. i would very much like the option of staying here and work before i go home, and that is where i am having a problem. what are my options?

also, what is the best field to start out in? med surg maybe? thats what i heard, but i'm not really sure. i'm think i would like to move to charlotte NC, but that too is up in the air. i just really need some guidance and some advice.

so to some this up, Where is the best place to start out? what is the salary like starting out? what are my options (being non- citizen)? what area is best to start out in (med-surg? OB? travelling?) i'm just really lost. help please!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Welcome

Moved to the International forum

Have you thought about applying for OPT? If not I would consider it. You will be affected by retrogression and may have to think about returning home if you are not able to use OPT. Retrogression has been ongoing since Oct 06 and there are many many nurses affected by it and have been waiting since before Oct 06 for a visa. If you meet H1b requirements (specialist nurse and BSN) and as a new grad as well depending on your training most do not meet H1b requirements there is no other way to stay in the US and work. Alternatively you could consider staying on at school and go further up the ladder which may help you get a job. Also depending on your training you may want to consider another country

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i am thinking about applying for OPT, but what is retrogression and H1b requirements? i tried to PM you but i am not allowed for some reason.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You are not able to send me a pm until you have 15 or more posts (site rules)

Retrogression means that the demand for immigrant visas (that is what most nurses come under) is much higher than the amount of visas allocated. If you do a search for retrogression you will find many threads discussing this. Nurses generally are filed under EB3 and if you check out the visa bulletin currently there are no visas available until the new year starts in October. USA Visa bulletin

H1b is a work visa that employers can apply for and the employer has to pay all costs. They are a specialist visa and depending on whether the establishment is capped or uncapped will depend on when the employer can file. Most are capped which means the employer files in April (1st) and you if lucky start October, usually is a lottery as many other professions also file for H1b mainly IT and this year is the first time for many years that there are still H1b visas not allocated. Usually they are gone in hours and is a lottery. For H1b you need to be BSN or higher.

You do need to consider using OPT and don't leave it to late to apply.Your International advisor should be able to tell you when you need to apply for it

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thank you very much. this is a big help.

so do you (or anyone) else have any advice where (which field of nursing) to start out? i heard that med surg was that best choice.

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Med Surgical is a great choice since it provides a new nurse with a broad base of experience, but with the job the way it is any job you can secure would be a great choice.

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thank you so much for all your help!

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hey pheonix ja. i'm in the same situation that you are in. i would like to catch up with you and see what your plans are for the future.

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the only option there seems to be is the H1B visa.... which is basically a gamble. and that is only IF u can find someone to sponsor you...

I think it is... well.... i dont know the word to use.

i am already here legally, my degree is from the USA, i have a social, i have credit.. why is it so difficult? i would be working honestly and paying taxes.... i just dont understand why it has to be this way...

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the only option there seems to be is the H1B visa.... which is basically a gamble. and that is only IF u can find someone to sponsor you...

I think it is... well.... i dont know the word to use.

i am already here legally, my degree is from the USA, i have a social, i have credit.. why is it so difficult? i would be working honestly and paying taxes.... i just dont understand why it has to be this way...

New graduate does not have the experience for H1B visa.

If you are here legally ( other than school) you can work. When my kids went abroad for school they were not allowed to work.

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wha? new grads cant work???????? i was planning to apply for opt then apply for H1B while on OPT. i cant do that?

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Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment authorization which allows F-1 students to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience to return to your home country.

To qualify for H1B you must either be advanced practice RN, A specialty nurse with a certification ( and the certification is a requirement for a job) or a nurse manager ( upper management.)

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