OPT Contract Nurse RN Jobs

Contract Nurse RN jobs on OPT are available, but your 14-month STEM extension does not apply to nursing, standard OPT gives you 12 months. Most contract roles are through staffing agencies, which can sponsor H-1B visa or EB-3 if you transition off OPT. Licensing requirements vary by state, so confirm your RN license is active where the contract is located.

Find OPT Contract Nurse RN Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs211+
Work Type70% On-site
Top LocationNew York, NY

Showing 5 of 211+ Contract Nurse RN jobs

Acentra Health
Contract Performance & Compliance Professional
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Acentra Health
New 15h ago
Contract Performance & Compliance Professional
Acentra Health
Charleston, West Virginia
Compliance & Legal
Project & Program Management
Business Analysis
Compliance & Risk
Project Management
$51k - $64k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Applied Medical
Contract Analyst/Manager
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Applied Medical
New 17h ago
Contract Analyst/Manager
Applied Medical
Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Compliance & Legal
Procurement & Supply Chain
Legal Counsel
Procurement & Purchasing
$80k - $100k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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CBRE
Contract Manager
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CBRE
New 23h ago
Contract Manager
CBRE
Denver, Colorado
Human Resources
Recruiting & Talent Acquisition
Project & Program Management
Compliance & Legal
$84k - $119k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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University of California - San Francisco
Government Contract Officer
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University of California - San Francisco
Added 1d ago
Government Contract Officer
University of California - San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Compliance & Legal
Procurement & Supply Chain
Project & Program Management
Procurement & Purchasing
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Dennis Group
Contract Recruiter
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Dennis Group
Added 1d ago
Contract Recruiter
Dennis Group
Springfield, Massachusetts
Recruiting & Talent Acquisition
Human Resources
$40 - $45/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
201-500

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Contract Nurse RN

Confirm your RN license covers the contract state

Nursing licenses are state-issued. If your contract is in a non-compact state, you need a separate license there. Start the endorsement process early, some states take 60 to 90 days to process, which can delay your start date.

Target staffing agencies with a history of visa sponsorship

Many large travel nursing agencies have sponsored H-1B visa and EB-3 petitions for international nurses. Ask recruiters directly about their sponsorship track record before committing to any contract or relocation package.

Understand OPT's 12-month limit for nursing roles

Nursing is not a STEM-designated field, so the 24-month STEM extension does not apply. You have 12 months of OPT. Plan your H-1B or EB-3 timeline with that window in mind to avoid a gap in work authorization.

Ask about cap-exempt H-1B sponsorship through hospital systems

Nonprofit hospitals and university health systems are often cap-exempt H-1B employers. A contract placed at one of these facilities through an agency may qualify, letting you bypass the H-1B lottery entirely.

Keep your OPT employment reporting current

Contract nursing roles frequently change locations and employers. Each new placement must be reported to your DSO within 10 days. Gaps between contracts longer than 90 days can jeopardize your OPT status.

Get your NCLEX and credential evaluation completed before you search

Most contract RN roles require an active NCLEX pass and a credential evaluation from a body like CGFNS. Having both ready before applying removes a common barrier and signals to recruiters that you can start quickly.

Contract Nurse RN OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a Contract Nurse RN on OPT?

Yes, you can work as a Contract Nurse RN on OPT as long as the role is directly related to your nursing degree and you maintain valid work authorization. Nursing is not a STEM field, so you're limited to 12 months of post-completion OPT. Each new contract placement must be reported to your DSO, and you cannot have more than 90 days of unemployment during your OPT period.

Does the STEM OPT extension apply to nursing roles?

No. The 24-month STEM OPT extension is only available to graduates of programs in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Nursing programs are not on the STEM designated degree program list, so Contract Nurse RN roles on OPT are limited to the standard 12-month authorization period. Plan your visa transition, whether H-1B or EB-3, within that window.

How do I find Contract Nurse RN jobs that are open to OPT students?

Migrate Mate lists Contract Nurse RN positions from employers and staffing agencies open to candidates on OPT and visa sponsorship. Filtering by work authorization type helps you avoid wasting time on postings that require permanent residency or citizenship. Searching Migrate Mate specifically for OPT-friendly nursing contracts is the most efficient starting point.

Can a staffing agency sponsor my H-1B or green card after my OPT?

Yes, some travel nursing and healthcare staffing agencies have sponsored H-1B petitions and EB-3 green cards for international nurses. The EB-3 pathway is particularly common in nursing due to established PERM labor certification processes. Ask any agency recruiter directly about their sponsorship history and whether they have immigration counsel on staff before signing a contract.

Do I need a separate nursing license for each state where I take a contract?

It depends on whether the state participates in the Nursing Licensure Compact. Compact states allow nurses with a multistate license to practice without obtaining an additional license. Non-compact states require a separate endorsement application, which can take 60 to 90 days. Always verify the licensure requirement for the specific state before accepting a contract to avoid delays.