Ty-134

Never ever mention that you are on OPT. They won't ask you if you don't say. If they hire you, just give your OPT card to HR with a flat face. If they ask, tell them you have options to get new EAD next year. In many areas of the country new grads have hard time getting a first job.

I'm not sure if you will be able to get your OPT after you get your BSN, because OPT is usually granted after graduation. You can get your OPT and continue your BSN-MSN on the part-time basis without obtaining new I-20. As soon as you get new I-20 for MSN program, your OPT will be terminated automatically.

what is purim?

Opinions and facts are different things. I think many international nursing students will appreciate the information and will use it to their own benefit. It's especially important because of the retrogression and because CPT is a valuable employment option for RN to BSN students. Nobody knows how long it will take. It's just your opinion. I shared the information and let students decide what to do - to use CPT or to go home. Sorry, I don't want to argue with you, but you are wrong. As long as F-1 student does not apply for EAD, AP, and maintains student status, he/she should be fine. http://www.hooyou.com/f-1/140filing.htm http://oregonstate.edu/international/atosu/sites/default/files/PendingPRForm.pdf You can also read this http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10682

What are you talking about? Did anybody understand anything?

I agree with you. I don't understand there this so called "nursing shortage" in coming from. It's so difficult to get a first job for new grads in many parts of the country. There are so many Americans who want to be a nurse because today it's a very well paid job in many states. But they get stuck in waiting lists. Failing rates at nursing schools are ridiculously high. Only about 40% of the nursing student graduate. The better solution would be to import nursing instructors.

There are thousands of nursing programs in the US and they all have different curriculums, students can work full-time during the session with the permission from an international school advisor. If some school don't allow to work full-time on CPT when the school is in session, that does not mean that all schools don't allow that.

Students who take full-time CPT and not required to register for classes full-time, those who take part-time CPT have to be full-time. I agree with you that obtaining CPT can be difficult, especially full-time CPT. A lot will depend on the International school advisor and a curriculum.

No, it's not normal. The reason why things work this way is because it is a business. In most schools you have to take most of your GE classes before they allow you to take your nursing classes. Usually, there are 5 tests during the semester for each nursing class, but some schools will fail you if your average grade is below "C" after the first two exams. This way they get your money and solve the problem of clinical faculty shortage, because they can not accommodate so many students in one class. So you paid for you GE classes, you paid for your nursing class, they got your money, dropped you from the class, and there is no problem with clinical faculty shortage.

You should try Modesto area.

Is in different on day shift and night shift? Do you have to do CNA's job?

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It case of CPT a lot will be depend on your school interpretation of the law. Bellow if a good explanation of differences between CPT and OPT. The only thing I disagree with is that CPT can be only part-time when school is in session. It fact in can be full-time or part-time. But again, different schools have different policies regarding CPT. http://inside.bard.edu/campus/departments/payroll/lib/foreignnat_forms.php?action=getfile&id=295855

Where do you live? Any college or university can offer CPT. But remember, CPT employment has to be a part of your studies. http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/cpt.htm So you want to make sure that your school sends their nursing students to your hospital, because employment must be "offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school". You can ask your advisor to authorize CPT based on the course of Independent studies (can be 1 credit).

I agree with Suzanne that VisaScreen is required for H-1C visa, but I disagree that one can not remain in the US while application for change of status is pending. It's quite the opposite. One should not leave the country while application for COS is pending. This period of stay is considered to be authorized by the Attorney General. You can apply for ext. of stay for another 6 month on your current visa, this should give you enough time to get you VisaScreen and education evaluation. If they sponsor your H-1C you will be able to stay while you application is pending, but you will not be able to work until your application is approved.

I could not find any examples on this forum when CPT time was deducted from OPT time. On the other hand side if someone used pre-completion OPT during the school, then this time will be deducted from post-completion OPT. Make sence? With respect to your Opinion, I would appreciate if you could backup it up with some reliable reference.

I doubt very much that LPN's can be sponsored for green card. "Skilled worker" category requires at least 2 years of training, where as LPN is a one year program.

If you have multi-entry visa I would suggest to go home in December and then to come back in January. If you have single-entry visa, you can extend your stay, and you have a good reason for that, but it can be difficult to obtain a new tourist visa from the US Consulate next time. Now, I disagree with those who says "No way", "No choice". Your option at this time is H-1C visa. The only hospital that sponsors that visa in Texas is Mercy Medical Center in Laredo. The pay rate is low. They offer something around $17.50/hour ($21/hr if you work at night) plus sign up bonus and relocation assistance. You will be able to work on H-1C until December 27, 2009. You need to apply for your VisaScreen ASAP.

Hi Suzanne, with respect to your opinion, you are poorly informed on this issue. As Snowstorm mentioned above, time spent on CPT is not deducted from OPT. It's important to mention that CPT and OPT are different. CPT requires that employment has to be an integral part of the school's curriculum, or the student will earn an academic credit for it. OPT does not have such a requirement. I've been on full-time CPT for 10 month and then obtained my OPT for 12 month after graduation with no questions asked. But if one uses more then 12 month of full-time CPT, then he/she will be ineligible for OPT. CPT will be authorized by the school and new I-20 will be printed. A student can take this new I-20 to the Social Security office as a proof of employment authorization.