OPT Emergency Department Registered Nurse Jobs
Emergency Department Registered Nurse jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with an active Employment Authorization Document and a valid state RN license. Most ED roles require BLS and ACLS certification. STEM OPT extension does not apply to nursing, so a 12-month OPT timeline is the norm.
Find OPT Emergency Department Registered Nurse JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 253+ Emergency Department Registered Nurse jobs
See all 253+ Emergency Department Registered Nurse Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Emergency Department Registered Nurse roles.
Get Access To All JobsTotal Rewards:
OSF HealthCare is dedicated to provide Mission Partners with a comprehensive and market-competitive total rewards package that includes benefits, compensation, recognition and well-being offerings that focus on the whole person and engage with their current stage of life and career. Click here to learn more about benefits and the total rewards at OSF.
Pay range for this position is $34.25 - $51.13/hour. Actual pay is based on years of licensure. This is an Hourly position. Weekend Differential: $3.25/hr.
OSF will invest in you on day 1! Candidates with 5+ years of direct experience will receive 24 hours of Vacation and Holiday time that will be available for use beginning day 1. This is in addition to our generous time-off benefits.
Position Summary: Protects, promotes and restores health and wellness by practicing at the highest level of the Registered Nurse licensure; collaborating with providers and multidisciplinary care team members to provide care coordination across the continuum. Assesses and supports physical symptoms, provides psychological support to patients, friends, and families, mentors assigned team members, promotes best practices, and maintains professional disposition at all times. The RN Hospital Inpatient/ED operates in units that provide 24/7 care in the hospital.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Current Registered Nurse licensure by the State Board of Nursing in appropriate state (Illinois or Michigan)
- Current American Heart Association HealthCare Provider BLS is required prior to start date of employment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Education: BSN
- Experience: Experience as an RN in a healthcare environment
- Other skills/knowledge: Electronic Medical Record and Microsoft application basic proficiency
OSF HealthCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Total Rewards:
OSF HealthCare is dedicated to provide Mission Partners with a comprehensive and market-competitive total rewards package that includes benefits, compensation, recognition and well-being offerings that focus on the whole person and engage with their current stage of life and career. Click here to learn more about benefits and the total rewards at OSF.
Pay range for this position is $34.25 - $51.13/hour. Actual pay is based on years of licensure. This is an Hourly position. Weekend Differential: $3.25/hr.
OSF will invest in you on day 1! Candidates with 5+ years of direct experience will receive 24 hours of Vacation and Holiday time that will be available for use beginning day 1. This is in addition to our generous time-off benefits.
Position Summary: Protects, promotes and restores health and wellness by practicing at the highest level of the Registered Nurse licensure; collaborating with providers and multidisciplinary care team members to provide care coordination across the continuum. Assesses and supports physical symptoms, provides psychological support to patients, friends, and families, mentors assigned team members, promotes best practices, and maintains professional disposition at all times. The RN Hospital Inpatient/ED operates in units that provide 24/7 care in the hospital.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Current Registered Nurse licensure by the State Board of Nursing in appropriate state (Illinois or Michigan)
- Current American Heart Association HealthCare Provider BLS is required prior to start date of employment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Education: BSN
- Experience: Experience as an RN in a healthcare environment
- Other skills/knowledge: Electronic Medical Record and Microsoft application basic proficiency
OSF HealthCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
See all 253+ OPT Emergency Department Registered Nurse Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Emergency Department Registered Nurse Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Secure your state RN license before applying
Most hospitals will not extend a job offer until you hold an active RN license in their state. Apply for licensure by endorsement as early as possible. Processing times range from four to twelve weeks depending on the state board.
Target hospital systems with established J-1 and H-1B infrastructure
Large academic medical centers and regional health systems are more likely to sponsor visas after OPT. Research whether a hospital has sponsored nurses before by checking DOL LCA disclosure data for healthcare job titles at that employer.
Complete ACLS and PALS certifications before your first interview
Emergency departments expect ACLS certification at hire and often prefer PALS. Holding both before applying removes a common hiring condition and signals you are ready to work independently in a high-acuity environment from day one.
Prioritize roles in cap-exempt settings for H-1B pathways
Nonprofit hospitals affiliated with universities are cap-exempt H-1B employers. A position there lets you file an H-1B petition any time of year without entering the lottery, which is critical when your OPT window is limited.
Document your clinical experience with specific patient volumes and acuity
ED nurse hiring managers want quantified experience: patient loads, acuity levels, trauma designations, and procedures performed. Specific documentation strengthens both your application and any future immigration petition that requires evidence of specialized experience.
Emergency Department Registered Nurse OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Emergency Department Registered Nurse on F-1 OPT?
Yes, provided your OPT is authorized for nursing or a related healthcare field and your Employment Authorization Document is active. You must also hold a valid RN license in the state where you will work. Emergency departments are considered standard OPT employment as long as the role is directly related to your degree program.
Does my nursing degree qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension?
No. Nursing programs, including Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, are not classified under STEM-designated CIP codes. This means F-1 OPT students in nursing roles are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period. Planning your visa transition to H-1B or EB-3 well before your OPT expires is essential for maintaining work authorization.
Which visa options exist after OPT for Emergency Department nurses?
The two most common pathways are the H-1B and the EB-3 immigrant visa. H-1B requires employer sponsorship and, for most hospitals, lottery selection. The EB-3 is an immigrant visa route that many hospital systems use for nurses, involving PERM labor certification. Cap-exempt nonprofit hospitals affiliated with universities can file H-1B petitions outside the lottery, which matters when your OPT window is short.
How do I find Emergency Department Registered Nurse jobs that are open to OPT students?
Most general job boards do not filter by visa sponsorship willingness, which wastes time. Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and lets you browse Emergency Department Registered Nurse openings from employers open to OPT authorization. Searching there significantly reduces the risk of pursuing roles at hospitals that do not support international candidates.
Can I work in the ED through an agency or travel nursing contract while on OPT?
Yes, but the staffing agency becomes your employer of record for OPT purposes. Your job duties must still be directly related to your degree field. Confirm that the agency is willing to be listed as your OPT employer and that the contract length does not extend beyond your EAD expiration date, since travel contracts can run 13 weeks or longer.