H-1B Visa Graduate Nurse Jobs
Graduate Nurse roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in nursing. Many health systems, hospital networks, and long-term care facilities file H-1B petitions for new graduate RNs, but eligibility depends on your degree level, NCLEX licensure status, and the employer's willingness to sponsor before your OPT or grace period expires.
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Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center
Department: Intensive Care Unit
Position is located: Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center
Work Type: Full Time
Hours Per Week: 36.00
Work Schedule: 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Salary Range: Pre-NCLEX: $29.00/hr/ Post-NCLEX: $38.92/hr
Exempt: No
Summary
The Nurse Residency Program consists of monthly workshops, quarterly simulation experiences and an evidence-based practice project over an 11-month period. The residency program is a commitment of 12 hours per month and is included as one of your scheduled 12 hour work shifts in a 36 hour workweek. The program is required for all new graduate nurses, with the goal of assisting the resident with the transition from advanced beginner to competent professional nurse.
Responsibilities:
Other Information:
Competencies and Skills
- Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
- Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of belonging, empowerment, and cooperation.
- Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
- Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.
Education
- Required Associate's Degree
Working Conditions
- Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people.
- Potential exposure to diseases or infections.
- Potential exposure to hazardous materials.
- Lifting, moving and loading less than 20 pounds.
- Prolonged periods of sitting.
- Prolonged periods of standing.
- Prolonged periods of walking.
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center is a 411-bed, regional tertiary care hospital and an American College of Surgeons-verified Level II Trauma Center. Located in Bangor, Maine, it serves as the principal referral center for a patient population of 500,000 residents across the northern two-thirds of the state. The medical center provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, including advanced surgical care, neurosciences, cardiovascular medicine, oncology, and critical care.
Eastern Maine Medical Center is the base for LifeFlight of Maine, a critical care air medical transport program that conducts nearly 900 missions annually, ensuring timely access to specialized care for rural and remote communities. As a member of Northern Light Health, the medical center is part of an integrated statewide health system comprising nine hospitals, numerous primary and specialty care practices, long-term care facilities, home health and hospice agencies, and emergency ground and air transport services. This integrated model supports coordinated, patient-centered care across the continuum.
Eastern Maine Medical Center plays a central role in advancing clinical quality, operational efficiency, and health equity throughout the region. It is actively engaged in clinical education and serves as a training site for medical students, residents, and fellows through affiliations with academic and professional institutions.
Bangor, Maine offers a stable and supportive environment for healthcare professionals. The region is home to high-performing public and private schools, including the University of Maine’s flagship campus in Orono. Bangor International Airport provides convenient commercial air service with direct and connecting flights to major US hubs. The area also offers access to a wide range of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities, with outdoor activities available year-round in Maine’s forests, lakes, mountains, and coastal regions.
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center is a strategic hub for clinical excellence, innovation, and community health in northern New England.
Questions? Contact Talent Acquisition:
phone: 207-973-7100
email: talentacquisition@northernlight.org
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Graduate Nurse
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation requirements
H-1B approval for Graduate Nurse roles hinges on holding a BSN, not just an ADN. USCIS evaluates whether the position normally requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field, so confirm your credential before applying to sponsor-willing employers.
Pass NCLEX before the H-1B filing window
Most employers won't initiate an H-1B petition for a Graduate Nurse until you hold an active RN license. NCLEX results typically arrive within two business days, so schedule the exam early enough to clear licensure before your OPT end date.
Target health systems with established H-1B filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Graduate Nurse roles by employers whose DOL Labor Condition Application history confirms active H-1B sponsorship, so you're not spending offer negotiations on organizations that have never filed before.
Understand how prevailing wage affects your offer
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your nursing role and geographic area. Run the OFLC Wage Search using your job title and ZIP code before accepting an offer to confirm the stated salary meets the wage level your LCA will certify.
Ask about cap-exempt hospital affiliations
Graduate Nurse roles at nonprofit hospitals affiliated with universities or research institutions may qualify as cap-exempt, bypassing the annual H-1B lottery entirely. Ask your recruiter whether the facility holds cap-exempt status under INA Section 214(g)(5).
Account for credential evaluation in your timeline
If you completed nursing school outside the U.S., CGFNS credential evaluation is required before most state boards will issue your RN license. Start the CGFNS process immediately after graduation so licensing delays don't push your H-1B filing into the next fiscal year.
H-1B Visa Graduate Nurse: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Graduate Nurse role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the position requires a BSN as a minimum entry requirement. USCIS evaluates specialty occupation status role by role, not by job title alone. Employers who accept ADN graduates for the same position can weaken the specialty occupation argument, so look for postings that explicitly require a bachelor's degree in nursing rather than simply preferring one.
Can an employer sponsor my H-1B before I pass NCLEX?
Technically yes, but most health systems won't file until you hold an active RN license because the job cannot legally be performed without it. Some larger health systems will prepare the LCA and petition documents in advance and submit once your license is confirmed, which saves time. Clarify the employer's internal policy during your offer negotiation so there are no surprises with filing deadlines.
How do I find Graduate Nurse employers who actually sponsor H-1B visas?
Search Migrate Mate to filter Graduate Nurse openings by employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history for nursing roles. This filters out positions where sponsorship is listed as a possibility but the employer has no track record of actually filing. Focusing on organizations with documented filings saves you from investing time in applications that won't result in a petition.
What happens to my H-1B status if my nursing license lapses or is suspended?
An active RN license is a condition of H-1B employment for Graduate Nurse roles. If your license lapses, your employer is generally required to stop paying you and may need to notify USCIS. You cannot legally perform nursing duties during the lapse, and a prolonged suspension can result in status termination. Renew your license well before the expiration date and track renewal windows for every state where you're licensed.
Are Graduate Nurse H-1B roles subject to the annual lottery cap?
Most are, but not all. Graduate Nurse positions at nonprofit hospitals affiliated with universities or qualifying research institutions may be cap-exempt, meaning your employer can file at any time and bypass the lottery entirely. Positions at for-profit health systems and standard private hospitals fall under the annual cap and must be submitted during the regular H-1B filing season for an October 1 start date.