Optional Practical Training: Bachelor's or Associate's

Published

Hi! My name is Ruby. I already have a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the Philippines. I had ECE evaluate my transcripts already and it is equivalent to the Bachelor's degree in Biology here in US.

Right now, I am currently going to pursue Nursing here on an F1 visa. I'm still in the Pre-Nursing stage so it might take a while for me to finish. I am in Arizona, and I have already checked the licensure because they became more strict and they want a proof of citizenship or green card but I already checked that I only need to show papers that I am here legally (like I-94 etc.) I am also volunteering at a hospital so that I will be able to gain some experience prior to getting the actual hospital job experience.

My question is, does having a Bachelor's degree give me an advantage as oppose to just having an Associate's degree when looking for a job (during OPT) that will sponsor me for an H1B? OPT is only for a year that is why I hope to get sponsored right away. And what other important immigration details should I take note of regarding my situation? I mean, my only problem is really to get sponsored during that one year OPT. Thank you very much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think you are thinking way too ahead of the future and presuming a lot of things. Take it one step at a time.

You have not even started the nursing course and have not even decided whether to go for ADN or BSN and you are already thinking of OPT and immigration.

H1B is also not made for nurses straight out of school. Their are already many threads and posts explaining why, so just do a research here regarding that.

Also, H1B is currently being investigated as well since other industries (non-HC related) using it seems to also not technically could use it but are able to use it. It was found out that only 11% are truly qualified for it, so expect changes to it or it being more strict in the near future and as mentioned, H1B is actually marked-down as not generally for nurses from the very beginning even before the current issue about H1B has popped out recently.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for your reply. I totally agree to the part where I am thinking way too ahead of the future and presuming a lot of things. I guess I just want to have a head start on whatever kind of problems I may have to face in the future. Also, its a matter of whether you want to stick to what's certain and what's not.

But my point in making this thread was to check if granted that I was given OPT for a year (having finished ADN), can I look for a job using my Bachelor's degree in Biology or it should be the course is based on the one I finished here in US?

Clearly, the nursing path is full of uncertainties (for now) because I can opt to go and take a Master's degree, whatever works. But otherwise, I'm inquiring regarding Nursing because its more practical for now.

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you for your reply. I totally agree to the part where I am thinking way too ahead of the future and presuming a lot of things. I guess I just want to have a head start on whatever kind of problems I may have to face in the future. Also, its a matter of whether you want to stick to what's certain and what's not.

But my point in making this thread was to check if granted that I was given OPT for a year (having finished ADN), can I look for a job using my Bachelor's degree in Biology or it should be the course is based on the one I finished here in US?

Clearly, the nursing path is full of uncertainties (for now) because I can opt to go and take a Master's degree, whatever works. But otherwise, I'm inquiring regarding Nursing because its more practical for now.

Thank you!

It should be the course you took in the U.S. The OPT and CPT is tied up with the course you took. You cannot take in a job not related with your course. It's like saying, I am taking up one course but will intern on another field unrelated to my course.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The post above is correct. if you're in nursing program, your cpt has to be related to the field of study. You need to have job before you're even authorized to do the cpt so the letter from the employer should show it relates to your field of study. So while you may not be able to work on CPT with your bio degree, you can get a job as an extern or cna at a hospital and do that as your cpt job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

And the most important fact that you need to be aware of is that there is a retrogression in place and the chances of being able to remain in the US once you finish your training and possible OPT are essentially nil.

There are many more applicants for visas then there are visas issued per year and there is no AOS processing going on right now and we do not expect that for years.

Do not go for the RN with the idea that you will be able to remain here when you are done, that is just not the case any longer. And the other thing that you need to be aware of is that the two year ADN is not accepted by most other countries for licensure as well as immigration.

Even your own country does not license one with that training.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for your reply! Right now, I'm about to plot my education plans here. So much to consider. Tough and everything is too pricey cause I'm an international student. Is there any way I can work while study? How long does the work permit (for economic reasons) usually last?

Again, super thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thank you for your reply! Right now, I'm about to plot my education plans here. So much to consider. Tough and everything is too pricey cause I'm an international student. Is there any way I can work while study? How long does the work permit (for economic reasons) usually last?

Again, super thanks!

You can apply to work as a student but are limited for the first 12 months and no guarantee that you will get permission to work. You are supposed to be able to prove you can support yourself whilst studying and if you do get permission to work it is only valid as long as you are a student in full time education

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html

Up Vote Up Vote ×

And the other factor that you must consider is that we do not have visas available and there is no guarantee that you will be able to remain in the US once you finish your training.

Best of luck with whatever you decide, but as mentioned above, you are not going to be able to work for quite sometime with the student visa; and once you can, it is going to be quite limited.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion