Why can't I find a job?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 18, 2007

I'm a foreign student in the US and have just graduated. I got my OPT card 2 weeks ago and I passed the boards last week. But I've been having a really hard time finding a job. It's not even as if I want a high-demand specialty like ICU or L&D - I'm just applying to plain old med/surg or general medical floors.
I got two job offers last week and when I called the first place to ask about GC sponsoring, the lady at HR flat out stated that they didn't do that and haven't done it for 3 years! She kept talking about how complicated the process is and everything while I kept trying to explain how my lawyer and I would do almost all the work. Anyway, she wasn't buying it, shut me down and pretty much rescinded the offer. Now I'm scared to call the other place. I've tried calling up other hospitals (in the north-east States and Florida mostly) to find out if they actually petition before applying and all I've been hearing is "no".
If any of you is in a similar position or have any advice or pointers for me, please share. For example, are some hospitals more willing to hire foreign nurses than others? Which ones? Keep in mind, my only clinical experience is from nursing school. At this point, I don't care which state I practice in - I just want to start working before I forget everything I was taught in Nursing school!

I know there are a few UK nurses working in Florida and have been there for several months. Although your situation is different than most of us because you have OPT I wonder if some of the problems are retrogression and employers unwilling at the moment to look at petitioning as no one knows at the moment how long it will last

suzanne4, RN · Apr 18, 2007

First word that you mentioned was sponsorship, and yes, no facility has done it in the past three years. There have not been any H1-B visas available for nurses since that time. And it was way too much work for hospitals, so they were happy to get away from it. Green cards require only petitioning, and just a small amount of information that is required, the immigration attorney does the rest.

But the issue that is coming up right now is that there are no visas currently available for when your OPT will be over, so many employers are shying away even from that, as the EAD that comes with the OPT is not renewable.

This is happening all over the country, not just specific to where you are.

Where exactly are you located?

suzanne4, RN · Apr 18, 2007

With things the way that they are right now, I woudl focus only on finding an employer that will offer you a position with your OPT. At least that will get you in the door and get you some experience. When asking about the petitioning right now, there is nothing that can be done for anyone, no Adjustment of Status, so you are going to find facilities turning their back on you.

nikita101 · Apr 18, 2007

Thanks for the responses. I knew about retrogression but I figured I would have OPT for one year and would (hopefully) be able to ride it out. I didn't think I would have such a hard time finding a hospital to employ me with OPT. Maybe I haven't cast my net wide enough? I went to nursing school in Pennsylvania so, I got my license for PA and mostly narrowed my search to PA and NJ.

I've been following these boards so I understand petitioning versus sponsoring. I don't think the people at the hospitals I've been talking to do though. I'm going to call the other hospital tomorrow morning and try to see if I can talk to their HR person face to face. I think I'll have a better chance if I can show her how little involvement I'll need from the hospital when/if the time comes.

You don't know unless you try right?

embarq · Apr 19, 2007

I would recommend you to try FL state. PA is a very concervative state even for american citizens. Some facilities in NJ are well educated about hiring foreign nurses. Also there is a lot of hospitals in CA that would not mind to hire you for as long as your OPT is effective.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 19, 2007

Thanks for the responses. I knew about retrogression but I figured I would have OPT for one year and would (hopefully) be able to ride it out. I didn't think I would have such a hard time finding a hospital to employ me with OPT. Maybe I haven't cast my net wide enough? I went to nursing school in Pennsylvania so, I got my license for PA and mostly narrowed my search to PA and NJ.
I've been following these boards so I understand petitioning versus sponsoring. I don't think the people at the hospitals I've been talking to do though. I'm going to call the other hospital tomorrow morning and try to see if I can talk to their HR person face to face. I think I'll have a better chance if I can show her how little involvement I'll need from the hospital when/if the time comes.
You don't know unless you try right?

Before you even contact any more hospitals, get a letter from your immigration attorney with the exact requirements that the need from a facility. If you have it in black and white, that will usually help.

But at this stage, I would focus on just trying to get a job with the OPT. You are already using time up and it cannot be replaced. Once you have contact with a facility and have been working there, it is usually much easier to bring up petitioning and to get things done.

And in CA, it is not that easy for a foreign grad with an OPT to get hired right now. The issue is all over the country. And there are many foreign grads in PA. The issue is that there are no visas and quite a few hospitals that I have spoken with around the country do not wish to start training a nurse when their time with them may be limited. Remember that the EAD with the OPT cannot be renewed, and there are no visas available and no word when the retrogression will end. They are not wanting to spend the money.

nikita101 · Apr 19, 2007

Thanks everyone. You all have very good suggestions. I'll try them all and see what works. Wish me luck!