this message is for all nurses who are in f1 and are in opt or will be in opt. we all know that we worked hard to get this far but with current retrogression in place, 1 year of opt does not sound like a good bargain for us right now. if only we could buy more time with retrogression, maybe things will change. i know that it is uncertain when the retrogression will be lifted but having more time is always good.
unfortunately, the recent change in opt for stem students did not include nursing major for 17 month extension. however, i think that we can still make a difference. if you go to http://www.ice.gov/sevis/stemlist.htm, you will see that they have said: "to suggest a change to the list of stem designated degrees, write to [email protected], with stem code change request in the subject line. please include your name, phone number, organizational affiliation, the code(s) you would like to see added and the rationale for the addition. change requests will be reviewed by ice in conjunction with the department of education and other advisors."
so, if everyone of us will send an e-mail to dhs, they will probably think about it. what does it hurt to do so? i have already e-mailed them and have asked my friends to so too.
please include nursing major code as 51.1601 to be added to the stem list. there seems to be few kinks with the e-mail address but please make sure that you type the address as it is, my first e-mail came back but the second one went through.
Once again all the negative talk prevails, even though I already states I know the realities, the odds, and the numbers. It's enough to drive me crazy.
Like I have said, no one is talking about taking jobs away from anyone. We're talking about OPT extension and responding to an open invitation from ICE to suggest new codes to be included for OPT extension.
The threat of someone googling this site and finding my comments here and then emailing some congressperson makes no sense to me, and is really irrelevant. What will they do, completely abolish OPT for nurses in response to this thread?? It's almost like a conspiracy is in place to muzzle us from discussing our options by threatening how people will come and read this forum and react to the fact that we're talking about realities and brainstorming for ideas. It sounds to me like "shut up or you'll be in trouble".
Come on people, no one is denying the reality or the depression. As for referring to our home countries as "where you nurses are unemployed" is really strange, and the comparisons made make no sense. I am not unemployed in my country. I made a choice to come to the US and I am employed here. Once my OPT is over I will go back to school and continue building my training and skills. I think extending OPT for nurses makes sense. It's my opinion and I am entitled to it, just as you are entitled to yours. Nobody mentioned any loopholes, legal or illegal. We're talking about an offer from ICE to suggest OPT extensions. Does that sound like a loophole to you?
It almost feels like there's a programmed response to anyone who posts anything about working in the US, or about OPT, or F1, or GC, and that response is "No way, forget it, don't talk about it, not going to happen, no hope, etc".
I for one I'm getting really tired of it all, We already said we know the realities and the numbers, stop shooting us down.
For once allow us to have a discussion without all your naysaying.
I have different question to post then and lets see how it is responded to:
If an American were to train in your country, would they be permitted to remain there and be able to work when they are done with their programs?
Let's see from what I understand and please let me know if I am in correct on any of this:
Philippines --- a person that does not hold citizenship there may not sit for the NLE exam, therefore even if they trained there, they are unable to get licensed and practice there.
EU countries: Priority for licenses as well as jobs goes first to those fron that specific country, and then to others from the EU countries. From the US, one would have to be licensed first here and then hold siginificant work experience in an area where there is shortage before they would be granted a visa. And in the UK, one has to live there for three years in most cases before they would even get permission to attend school there as well.
Am I missing something here?
And for India, what about an American getting licensed there to work?
Sorry, but unless things can go both ways, there is no reason for anyone to demand that they be given the privilege of working here when there own countries do not permit it for an American or even other foreigner to work there. The UK also has a hiring freeze in place in most areas and jubs must go first to those from that country. Why is the US not entitled to the same things?
To come here and try to demand that things be worked out to suit one is not the way that things are to be done and actually with the student visa, they were normally granted with the idea that one was going to return to their own country when they were done. The OPT was designed just to be a practicum before they left the US.
Ranting is not my usual style here, but when I see Americans being laid-off my jobs and hiring freezes starting at many hospitals now, then how in the world can a nurse or a student from another country demand that the rules be changed to suit them.
One would think we are speaking different languages here. Nobody is DEMANDING anything. This post is not about DEMANDING! It's about responding to a request from ICE for SUGGESTIONS on codes to be added to the OPT extension, period!
Nobody said anything else. Nobody DEMANDED that rules be changed. We are simply discussing options and ideas.
Who in the hell said that America MUST hire us? Nobody. You are all reacting to an issue that has not been raised in this thread. My reaction in the post before was to the naysaying that is completely unnecessary to the context of this thread.
and the related OPT documents regarding the purpose, premise, benefits/risks, and rules associated with OPT extension. The issue such as "foreigners to work in European Union, China, India, and UK" are also discussed there esp. page 4-6. They also talk about whether the US workers will/or will not be affected, and so on.
About "you foreign nurses," I thought we all had agreed to the terms and conditions to respect each other in this forum. But I guess they don't apply to the moderators.
I wanted to do nursing because I had a passion for it, I couldn't have done anything but nursing just because I love it. I didn't think that people would accuse me of using it as a loophole. I know where I stand with my ethics and values. I am well off myself and I am not in it for the riches. Besides, how rich can I get? I have been around the world, and seen many things over the course of years, but nothing as sour as this. This just sank my heart. But of course, no matter how skilled, talented and good you are, you will always be seen as an inferior person with different color, with "broken english," with perception of having less of a knowledge than of that compared to a US citizen, and "foreign trained nurses" even though you were educated in the US. I see it very well. I joined allnurses.com because I thought it was about all nurses despite the differences among us.
I have been doing quite a good reading about how questions are being answered here. I suggest everyone to use this forum as FYI only and not DEPEND on it to guide you in your career/life. There is only one person who can truly help you, yourself. YOU need to do your homework and your part to get where you want to be. Recognize your friends and foes. Like the moderators said, be careful about what you post. And YES, I admit, I made a HUGE mistake in starting this thread not because I am afraid of the negative responses.
All this for something as simple and temporary as OPT? WOW
I know where I stand and I know what I have to do.
End of discussion for me and end of allnurses.com for me.
I have different question to post then and lets see how it is responded to:
If an American were to train in your country, would they be permitted to remain there and be able to work when they are done with their programs?
Let's see from what I understand and please let me know if I am in correct on any of this:
Philippines --- a person that does not hold citizenship there may not sit for the NLE exam, therefore even if they trained there, they are unable to get licensed and practice there.
EU countries: Priority for licenses as well as jobs goes first to those fron that specific country, and then to others from the EU countries. From the US, one would have to be licensed first here and then hold siginificant work experience in an area where there is shortage before they would be granted a visa. And in the UK, one has to live there for three years in most cases before they would even get permission to attend school there as well.
Am I missing something here?
And for India, what about an American getting licensed there to work?
Sorry, but unless things can go both ways, there is no reason for anyone to demand that they be given the privilege of working here when there own countries do not permit it for an American or even other foreigner to work there. The UK also has a hiring freeze in place in most areas and jubs must go first to those from that country. Why is the US not entitled to the same things?
To come here and try to demand that things be worked out to suit one is not the way that things are to be done and actually with the student visa, they were normally granted with the idea that one was going to return to their own country when they were done. The OPT was designed just to be a practicum before they left the US.
Ranting is not my usual style here, but when I see Americans being laid-off my jobs and hiring freezes starting at many hospitals now, then how in the world can a nurse or a student from another country demand that the rules be changed to suit them.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Right, This thread is getting unnecessary heated. Every member is allowed their opinion and we will not tolerating any personal attacks.
Fine if you want to petition for extension on OPT but if you are looking at 5 years approx for processing extending OPT is not going to help. Also remember F1 is a non immigrant visa
helloworld
84 Posts
Once again all the negative talk prevails, even though I already states I know the realities, the odds, and the numbers. It's enough to drive me crazy.
Like I have said, no one is talking about taking jobs away from anyone. We're talking about OPT extension and responding to an open invitation from ICE to suggest new codes to be included for OPT extension.
The threat of someone googling this site and finding my comments here and then emailing some congressperson makes no sense to me, and is really irrelevant. What will they do, completely abolish OPT for nurses in response to this thread?? It's almost like a conspiracy is in place to muzzle us from discussing our options by threatening how people will come and read this forum and react to the fact that we're talking about realities and brainstorming for ideas. It sounds to me like "shut up or you'll be in trouble".
Come on people, no one is denying the reality or the depression. As for referring to our home countries as "where you nurses are unemployed" is really strange, and the comparisons made make no sense. I am not unemployed in my country. I made a choice to come to the US and I am employed here. Once my OPT is over I will go back to school and continue building my training and skills. I think extending OPT for nurses makes sense. It's my opinion and I am entitled to it, just as you are entitled to yours. Nobody mentioned any loopholes, legal or illegal. We're talking about an offer from ICE to suggest OPT extensions. Does that sound like a loophole to you?
It almost feels like there's a programmed response to anyone who posts anything about working in the US, or about OPT, or F1, or GC, and that response is "No way, forget it, don't talk about it, not going to happen, no hope, etc".
I for one I'm getting really tired of it all, We already said we know the realities and the numbers, stop shooting us down.
For once allow us to have a discussion without all your naysaying.
Thanks!