New grad RN looking for visa sponsorship- HELP!

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Hello everyone!

I am an international student nurse at Baylor University in Texas. I am going to graduate with my BSN in 15 days! I have been looking for and calling every hospital in Dallas, Austin, Temple, Waco, Houston, and San Antonio, but haven't had any luck finding hospitals that will sponsor an H1b-visa that allows me to work. As a student, we get the chance to apply to the OPT (Optional Practical Training), which allows us to work for 1 year, but after that year is over, we need sponsorship of some sort. I have interviewed with many hospitals, and have been offered a couple of jobs, but when I talk with HR about my legal situation they usually tell me: "we can't sponsor you after a year and training new employees takes up a lot of resources, so unfortunately we are not going to be able to give you the job after all". I am desperate and do not know what else to do. I have contacted some agencies, but they haven't helped either since they deal with experienced nurses from other countries. I have no actual experience as an RN (I'm taking my NCLEX after I graduate), but I will do anything to stay in the States. So my question is, does anyone know about any hospitals in the U.S that o sponsor a work visa upfront? In any state??? Or does anyone know about graduate nursing programs that do not require experience as an RN before enrolling?? Thanks!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You do not qualify for H1B as a new grad, this visa is for experienced and specialized nurses.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Moved to the Immigration forum for more response.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

This is something we are seeing more and more. H1b is hard to get as most hospitals do not go for it due to the $$$ they have to pay out. You can not offer to pay. Which country was you born in? Because if looking for immigrant visa that will depend on where you was born to how long it will take.

You may have no choice but to use OPT and either stay in the country as a student or return home

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Silverdragon102 I was born in Colombia. Thanks for your insight!

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i say your best bet is to use that opt program to by yourself more time to try and figure out what else you can do and if some can help you

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
i say your best bet is to use that opt program to by yourself more time to try and figure out what else you can do and if some can help you

I think the problem many face is employers without the intention to sponsor won't consider signing a nurse with only opt as it exceeds the cost benefit ratio since either the nurse can only work for a year and then return home or to school. Or the nurse will leave if secure sponsorship from another employer. New grads are not eligible for H1B but may be eligible for EB3. Columbia I don't believe is retrogressed like China India and Philippines

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It depends how much cash you have in the bank. You're more likely to get a sponsored if you're a Nurse Practitioner in an in demand field, willing to work in poorer areas. There are NP courses that don't need any RN experience, there's even quite a few which offer a direct BS/BA to RN to MSN (NP) course. If you do decide to go with one of those courses I'd save your OPT to be used after a higher degree to help with sponsorship. Just make sure you keep your F1 visa valid by staying in college full time continuously.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Let me start by saying I am neither a bigot or a racist - but why in Heavens name would a US employer spend extra money and bend over backwards for a new grad immigrant when there is a glut of new grads who are citizens looking for work. If you really want to stay in the US stay in school as others have said get theat MSN or NP and in the meantime work on becoming a US citizen. In spite of it's flaws it's a pretty good country to live in.

Hppy

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

OPT can be used after any courses you take as long as the course leads to a higher qualification that you have for example you can use OPT after completing a ADN course and then do BSN to which you get another OPT and can use that and so on.

As a student you can not work towards citizenship as you need to have a valid work/immigrant visa or marriage to a USC (immigrant)

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Specializes in ER, Med Surg, Ob/Gyn, Clinical teaching.

Been there, done that!!

I understand what you're going thru. Trust me when I say, I've been there and I've done that.

I am also an IEN and I can't even count how many interviews that I have had or even applications that I have put...

At the end of the day, you will get the same response. I decided to use my OPT. And be happy where am at. At least I have a job, legally.

The best bet for you is to use your OPT gain some experience and head back to school for your MSN.

Wish you the best.. ;)

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Hey carolinameza, I wonder did you figure out a way? I am at Baylor Nursing as well and am going through the exact same process. Let me know what did you end up doing!

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