OPT Graduate Nurse Jobs
Graduate Nurse OPT jobs are available at hospitals, outpatient clinics, and health systems that sponsor H-1B visa or offer cap-exempt positions. Most roles require active RN licensure in the state where you'll work. Your 12-month OPT window starts on your program end date, so timing your NCLEX and job search carefully is essential.
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Get Access To All JobsInvest in Your Future and Theirs: Full-time Milton S. Hershey Medical Center employees receive a 75% Penn State tuition discount for themselves and eligible dependents through the Grant-in-Aid program.
Penn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: Full Time
FTE: 1.00
Shift: Day
Hours: variable
Recruiter Contact: Nicholas Wine at nwine1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The GME Coordinator II provides direction, leadership, and day-to-day management of educational activities, including assisting the Physician Program Director, Chief Residents/Fellows, residents/fellows (trainees), and serving as a liaison between attending physicians, trainees, medical students, and administration. S/he manages and maintains the training program to ensure compliance with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accreditation standards and other regulatory requirements. This person acts for and makes decisions in the Physician Program Directors absence (within prescribed limits of authority), and should, thus, demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
- Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of experience at GME Coordinator I or three (3) years of direct GME/Residency related experience OR Associate's degree and five (5) years of experience at GME Coordinator I or five (5) years direct GME/Residency related experience required.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
Invest in Your Future and Theirs: Full-time Milton S. Hershey Medical Center employees receive a 75% Penn State tuition discount for themselves and eligible dependents through the Grant-in-Aid program.
Penn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: Full Time
FTE: 1.00
Shift: Day
Hours: variable
Recruiter Contact: Nicholas Wine at nwine1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The GME Coordinator II provides direction, leadership, and day-to-day management of educational activities, including assisting the Physician Program Director, Chief Residents/Fellows, residents/fellows (trainees), and serving as a liaison between attending physicians, trainees, medical students, and administration. S/he manages and maintains the training program to ensure compliance with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accreditation standards and other regulatory requirements. This person acts for and makes decisions in the Physician Program Directors absence (within prescribed limits of authority), and should, thus, demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
- Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of experience at GME Coordinator I or three (3) years of direct GME/Residency related experience OR Associate's degree and five (5) years of experience at GME Coordinator I or five (5) years direct GME/Residency related experience required.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
See all 927+ OPT Graduate Nurse Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Graduate Nurse Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Graduate Nurse
Pass the NCLEX before your OPT start date
Your OPT employment authorization is active from day one, but most hospitals won't onboard you without an active RN license. Schedule your NCLEX as early as possible so licensure delays don't eat into your authorized work window.
Target hospital systems with established visa sponsorship programs
Large academic medical centers and nonprofit health systems are far more likely to sponsor H-1B visas after OPT than small private practices. Look for organizations with international nurse recruitment programs already in place before applying.
Clarify sponsorship intent during the first interview
Ask directly whether the organization has sponsored H-1B visas for nurses before and whether they're open to doing so for this role. Early clarity saves weeks of effort on offers that won't lead anywhere for your long-term status.
Apply to STEM-adjacent nursing programs if your degree qualifies
Some nursing informatics or clinical research roles at hospitals fall under STEM OPT extension eligibility, giving you 36 months of work authorization. Confirm your specific degree CIP code with your DSO before assuming you qualify.
Research state-specific licensing timelines before relocating
Some states process RN endorsements in two to four weeks while others take three months or longer. Factor state board timelines into your job search geography so licensing delays don't create an unauthorized employment gap.
Document your clinical hours and specialty rotations clearly
Hospitals reviewing OPT candidates want to see specific clinical experience, not just a degree. List your hours by specialty, unit type, and patient population in your resume to help hiring managers assess your readiness for their specific floor or department.
Graduate Nurse OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Graduate Nurse on OPT without H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, for the duration of your OPT authorization. Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization after graduation, which is enough to complete most new graduate nurse residency programs. However, to continue working beyond that window, you'll need an employer willing to sponsor an H-1B or another long-term visa, so it's worth identifying sponsorship-open employers from the start.
Do Graduate Nurse roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Traditional nursing degrees (BSN, MSN) are generally not classified under STEM CIP codes, so most Graduate Nurse positions do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Exceptions exist for nursing informatics or health data science degrees, which may carry eligible CIP codes. Confirm your specific degree classification with your DSO before counting on the extension.
How do I find Graduate Nurse jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Most general job boards don't filter by visa sponsorship willingness, which wastes significant time. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and shows Graduate Nurse roles at employers who are open to candidates on work authorization. Browsing there lets you focus your applications on positions that won't stall over your immigration status.
What happens to my OPT if I'm still waiting for my RN license when my authorization starts?
Your OPT clock runs from the start date on your EAD card regardless of your licensure status. Days spent waiting for NCLEX results or state board approval still count against your authorized period. Some hospitals will provisionally onboard you as an unlicensed graduate nurse intern, but employment under OPT generally requires you to be working in a role that matches your degree field, so confirm the arrangement with your DSO.
Which employers are most likely to sponsor Graduate Nurses for H-1B after OPT?
Large nonprofit hospital systems, academic medical centers, and health systems affiliated with universities are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for nursing roles. These organizations have dedicated HR and immigration infrastructure and often recruit internationally as a matter of policy. Smaller community hospitals or private practices rarely have the internal resources to manage sponsorship for nursing staff.