J-1 Visa Nursing Jobs
Nursing roles in the U.S. can be accessed through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Exchange Visitor Program, most commonly via the Trainee or Research Scholar category for clinical and academic positions. Registered nurses, nurse educators, and nursing researchers connect with State Department-designated sponsors who issue the DS-2019 and oversee program compliance throughout the exchange.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: Milwaukee, WI
Facility: Columbia St. Mary's Hospital
Department/Specialty: Nursing Support
Schedule: PRN / Rotating / Flexible
How you'll make an impact in this role:
Under the supervision of a nurse, provide direct nursing care in accordance with established policies, procedures and protocols of the healthcare organization.
- Complete assigned nursing orders as directed by preceptor, including assisting patients with activities of daily living and taking vital signs.
- Observe patient status and responses. Document and report observations to preceptor or other appropriate staff.
- Assist preceptor with development of care plan by reporting test results and patient observations.
- Perform other tasks as assigned, including environmental services and preparing/transporting patients for diagnostic services.
What minimum qualifications you'll need:
Licensure / Certification / Registration:
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
Education:
- High school diploma/GED required.
- Must be accepted or enrolled into a Nursing program upon date of hire/transfer and begin classes within 90 days of date of hire/transfer required.
What additional requirements you'll need:
- Expected to work at least one shift per week.
- Work is flexible around school schedule.
Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity:
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer:
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer does not participate in E-Verify and therefore cannot employ STEM OPT candidates.
Benefits:
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Various health insurance options & wellness plans
- Retirement benefits including employer match plans
- Long-term & short-term disability
- Employee assistance programs (EAP)
- Parental leave & adoption assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Ways to give back to your community
Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance, location and salary range at the time of the offer.
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Facility: Columbia St. Mary's Hospital
Department/Specialty: Nursing Support
Schedule: PRN / Rotating / Flexible
How you'll make an impact in this role:
Under the supervision of a nurse, provide direct nursing care in accordance with established policies, procedures and protocols of the healthcare organization.
- Complete assigned nursing orders as directed by preceptor, including assisting patients with activities of daily living and taking vital signs.
- Observe patient status and responses. Document and report observations to preceptor or other appropriate staff.
- Assist preceptor with development of care plan by reporting test results and patient observations.
- Perform other tasks as assigned, including environmental services and preparing/transporting patients for diagnostic services.
What minimum qualifications you'll need:
Licensure / Certification / Registration:
- BLS Provider obtained within 1 Month (30 days) of hire date or job transfer date required. American Heart Association or American Red Cross accepted.
Education:
- High school diploma/GED required.
- Must be accepted or enrolled into a Nursing program upon date of hire/transfer and begin classes within 90 days of date of hire/transfer required.
What additional requirements you'll need:
- Expected to work at least one shift per week.
- Work is flexible around school schedule.
Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity:
Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.
Equal employment opportunity employer:
Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.
Fraud prevention notice
Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.
E-Verify statement
Employer does not participate in E-Verify and therefore cannot employ STEM OPT candidates.
Benefits:
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Various health insurance options & wellness plans
- Retirement benefits including employer match plans
- Long-term & short-term disability
- Employee assistance programs (EAP)
- Parental leave & adoption assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Ways to give back to your community
Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance, location and salary range at the time of the offer.
See all 325+ Nursing jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Nursing roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Nursing
Align your credentials with U.S. nursing standards
Before applying, verify your foreign nursing credentials through CGFNS International, which evaluates equivalency for international nurses. Many host employers require NCLEX-RN eligibility or licensure before extending an offer, even for J-1 Trainee positions.
Distinguish Trainee from Research Scholar categories
Nurses with fewer than five years post-degree experience typically qualify under the Trainee category. Research Scholar status applies to those conducting formal nursing research at academic medical centers. Applying under the wrong category stalls your DS-2019 issuance.
Search Migrate Mate to find J-1 compatible roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter nursing roles at host employers who have worked with exchange visitors before. Targeting hospitals and academic health systems with established J-1 host agreements shortens the time from offer to DS-2019 issuance significantly.
Confirm the host employer has a designated sponsor agreement
Not every hospital can host a J-1 exchange visitor. Ask prospective employers whether they hold an active host agreement with a State Department-designated sponsor such as ECFMG or CGFNS. No agreement means no DS-2019, regardless of the offer.
Request a training plan before signing any offer
J-1 Trainee and Trainee programs require a signed Training or Internship Placement Plan. Negotiate this document with the hiring manager before accepting an offer, since the plan defines your scope of work and must be approved by the designated sponsor.
Check your home-country residency requirement early
Many nursing J-1 participants from countries on the Exchange Visitor Skills List face a two-year home-country residency requirement after their program ends. Confirm your country's status with the State Department before accepting a placement, as waivers are limited and competitive.
Nursing jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Nursing JobsNursing J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits most nursing roles in the U.S.?
The Trainee category fits most internationally educated nurses with a clinical or nursing administration background who have graduated within the past five years. Nurses conducting academic or hospital-based research may qualify as Research Scholars. ECFMG primarily serves physicians, so clinical nurses typically work with sponsors like CGFNS or AIPT, depending on the program structure and host institution.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a nursing exchange visitor?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not the hospital or clinic where you work. That employer is your host, not your sponsor. The designated sponsor, such as CGFNS or Cultural Vistas, issues your DS-2019, approves your training plan, and monitors your program compliance. Confusing the two roles often leads applicants to approach hospitals for visa documents they cannot legally provide.
How do I find hospitals that have hosted J-1 nursing exchange visitors before?
Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers in the nursing sector who have experience working with J-1 exchange visitors. Targeting academic medical centers, teaching hospitals, and large health systems increases your odds because they are more likely to hold existing host agreements with designated sponsors and have HR teams familiar with the DS-2019 process.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to J-1 nurses?
It may, depending on your home country and the source of funding for your exchange. Nurses from countries on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List are subject to the two-year requirement, which means you must return home for two years before changing to most other U.S. visa categories. A J waiver is possible but requires a qualifying basis such as a no-objection statement from your government or a hardship claim.
Can a J-1 nurse work in a specialty unit like ICU or NICU?
Yes, but the training plan submitted to your designated sponsor must specifically describe the clinical activities in that unit. Specialty placements require host employers to demonstrate that the exchange has genuine educational value beyond routine staffing. Some sponsors require additional documentation from the unit director confirming the structured training component, so clarify this with your designated sponsor before finalizing the unit placement.
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