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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Spring/Summer New Grads
Next program start date: September 2026 - November 2026, the New Graduate Nurse Program will offer varied start dates based on graduation and NCLEX dates.
General Program Overview: The twelve-month UNC Health Rex Nurse Residency program supports the transition from academia to practice for new graduate nurses. The wrap-around support from all levels of nursing is designed to assist new nurses in developing competence and confidence in the professional role.
In addition to clinical orientation on the unit, the Residency program provides structured clinical and professional growth. The first component of the Residency involves engaging classroom sessions highly focused on clinical skills and issues relevant to the unit and service line of the participants. The next component is comprised of continuing education professional development sessions, as well as completion of a group evidence-based practice project. Additionally, within the 12-month program, participants will complete milestones as defined by their unit and attend regular check-ins with their unit leadership and educator.
Additional purposes and goals of the program are:
- Increase proficiency – from novice to competent nurse
- Promote evidence-based practice at the bedside to ensure best patient outcomes
- Develop clinical leadership skills at the point of care
Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 diverse employees, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.
Why start your career at UNC Health Rex?
- Named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights
- Named Best Hospital in WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards
- Top 100 Hospital for Stroke Care by Healthgrades
- Named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights
- Named one of the ‘World’s Best Hospitals 2023’ by Newsweek
How do I qualify?
New Graduate Nurse: Graduation from school of professional nursing. Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of North Carolina by the day of clinical care. Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification.
What is defined as a new graduate nurse? Nursing student in their final semester of nursing program or; Nursing graduate within 12 months of graduation; and RN who has worked less than 6 months as a registered nurse.
This position qualifies for our UNC Rex Incentive Program, up to $25,000 tuition loan forgiveness or $10,000 Commitment Incentive (for select departments only). In addition, this position is also eligible for up to $5,000 in relocation assistance (based on location) and our employee referral program. Learn more about our UNC Rex Incentive Program here: jobs.unchealthcare.org/pages/rex-new-grad-rn-incentive-program
7 BT
This medical surgical unit is a dynamic, flexible clinical environment designed to support fluctuating patient volumes. This unit provides both medical and postoperative care. Though this unit can care for a wide variety of patient types, most of our patients require short-term monitoring and treatment. Currently, this unit can support 12-17 beds. However, this team will transition to a newly constructed, 24 bed unit scheduled to open in September 2026. New teammates will have the opportunity to contribute to the workflow development, unit culture and care delivery in a modern, expanded clinical environment.
Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.
Summary
Provides competent clinical nursing care consistent with professional standards. Reporting and accountable to the Nurse Manager/Director, the Clinical Nurse is responsible for coordinating and delivering patient care utilizing the nursing process in a hospital setting.
Responsibilities:
-
Education - Participates in identifying and meeting learning needs of self. Attends education programs based on identified learning needs. With assistance, uses patient education materials relevant to patient population. Assesses readiness to learn of the patient/family/caregivers. Assesses developmental level of patient and factors affecting ability to learn.
-
Evaluation of Care - Identifies expected patient outcomes. Seeks guidance as needed in revision of plan of care. Participates in discussion with members of the interdisciplinary team in evaluation of patient care. Communicates relevant information to promote continuity of care.
-
Implementation - Demonstrates competence in care of patients with complex problems, including population-appropriate physical, psychosocial, educational and safety aspects of care. Performs bedside point of care testing as required for patient care plan. Utilizes healthcare organization and nursing standards, policies and procedures in delivery of care. Organizes and prioritizes care according to patient/family needs. Consults with appropriate resources in a timely fashion regarding patients with complex care issues, unusual teaching needs and/or those at high risk for discharge planning.
-
Leadership - With assistance, develops goals to promote professional growth or minimize limitations. Achieves goals and objectives within identified time frame or renegotiates with supervisor. Is knowledgeable about activities which facilitate intra/interdepartmental collaboration. Participates in development and achievement of unit goals and performance improvement activities. Effectively uses communication systems. Participates in promoting cost-effective care. Gives feedback to co-workers. Is aware of public policy and regulatory guidelines affecting the health care environment. Promotes a safe, clean and secure hospital environment for all.
-
Patient Assessment - Recognizes data from complex situations to determine priorities for care. Includes appropriate physical, psychosocial, education and safety needs. Synthesizes assessment data into meaningful whole prior to communication to others. Assesses and anticipates discharge needs of individual patients and families. Develops relationships with families that promote their ability to advocate for the patient and their own needs.
-
Planning - Collaborates with patient/family to prepare or update the plan of care. Makes use of available multidisciplinary resources in planning care. Begins to use full range of communication as a means to convey planning. Identifies and addresses cultural and ethnic issues in planning patient care. Demonstrates ability to prioritize tasks for patients with complex problems.
-
Research - Reads journals that contain studies or articles that may be applicable to practice. Brings ideas and questions to the staff at large for assessment of applicability.
Other Information
Education Requirements:
- Graduation from a school of professional nursing.
- If hired after January 6, 2014, must be enrolled within four years of employment, and obtain a Bachelor's degree with a major in Nursing or a Master's degree with a major in Nursing within seven years of employment date.
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
- Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of North Carolina by the day of clinical care.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification.
Professional Experience Requirements:
- No prior experience required.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
Job Details
Legal Employer: NCHEALTH
Entity: UNC Rex Holly Springs Hospital
Organization Unit: 7BT Med Surg Nursing HS
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 36.00
Salary Range: $32.55 - $41.77 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Variable
Location of Job: US:NC:Holly Springs
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This position is employed by NC Health (Rex Healthcare, Inc., d/b/a NC Health), a private, fully-owned subsidiary of UNC Heath Care System. This is not a State employed position.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.
Description
Spring/Summer New Grads
Next program start date: September 2026 - November 2026, the New Graduate Nurse Program will offer varied start dates based on graduation and NCLEX dates.
General Program Overview: The twelve-month UNC Health Rex Nurse Residency program supports the transition from academia to practice for new graduate nurses. The wrap-around support from all levels of nursing is designed to assist new nurses in developing competence and confidence in the professional role.
In addition to clinical orientation on the unit, the Residency program provides structured clinical and professional growth. The first component of the Residency involves engaging classroom sessions highly focused on clinical skills and issues relevant to the unit and service line of the participants. The next component is comprised of continuing education professional development sessions, as well as completion of a group evidence-based practice project. Additionally, within the 12-month program, participants will complete milestones as defined by their unit and attend regular check-ins with their unit leadership and educator.
Additional purposes and goals of the program are:
- Increase proficiency – from novice to competent nurse
- Promote evidence-based practice at the bedside to ensure best patient outcomes
- Develop clinical leadership skills at the point of care
Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 diverse employees, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.
Why start your career at UNC Health Rex?
- Named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights
- Named Best Hospital in WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards
- Top 100 Hospital for Stroke Care by Healthgrades
- Named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights
- Named one of the ‘World’s Best Hospitals 2023’ by Newsweek
How do I qualify?
New Graduate Nurse: Graduation from school of professional nursing. Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of North Carolina by the day of clinical care. Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification.
What is defined as a new graduate nurse? Nursing student in their final semester of nursing program or; Nursing graduate within 12 months of graduation; and RN who has worked less than 6 months as a registered nurse.
This position qualifies for our UNC Rex Incentive Program, up to $25,000 tuition loan forgiveness or $10,000 Commitment Incentive (for select departments only). In addition, this position is also eligible for up to $5,000 in relocation assistance (based on location) and our employee referral program. Learn more about our UNC Rex Incentive Program here: jobs.unchealthcare.org/pages/rex-new-grad-rn-incentive-program
7 BT
This medical surgical unit is a dynamic, flexible clinical environment designed to support fluctuating patient volumes. This unit provides both medical and postoperative care. Though this unit can care for a wide variety of patient types, most of our patients require short-term monitoring and treatment. Currently, this unit can support 12-17 beds. However, this team will transition to a newly constructed, 24 bed unit scheduled to open in September 2026. New teammates will have the opportunity to contribute to the workflow development, unit culture and care delivery in a modern, expanded clinical environment.
Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.
Summary
Provides competent clinical nursing care consistent with professional standards. Reporting and accountable to the Nurse Manager/Director, the Clinical Nurse is responsible for coordinating and delivering patient care utilizing the nursing process in a hospital setting.
Responsibilities:
-
Education - Participates in identifying and meeting learning needs of self. Attends education programs based on identified learning needs. With assistance, uses patient education materials relevant to patient population. Assesses readiness to learn of the patient/family/caregivers. Assesses developmental level of patient and factors affecting ability to learn.
-
Evaluation of Care - Identifies expected patient outcomes. Seeks guidance as needed in revision of plan of care. Participates in discussion with members of the interdisciplinary team in evaluation of patient care. Communicates relevant information to promote continuity of care.
-
Implementation - Demonstrates competence in care of patients with complex problems, including population-appropriate physical, psychosocial, educational and safety aspects of care. Performs bedside point of care testing as required for patient care plan. Utilizes healthcare organization and nursing standards, policies and procedures in delivery of care. Organizes and prioritizes care according to patient/family needs. Consults with appropriate resources in a timely fashion regarding patients with complex care issues, unusual teaching needs and/or those at high risk for discharge planning.
-
Leadership - With assistance, develops goals to promote professional growth or minimize limitations. Achieves goals and objectives within identified time frame or renegotiates with supervisor. Is knowledgeable about activities which facilitate intra/interdepartmental collaboration. Participates in development and achievement of unit goals and performance improvement activities. Effectively uses communication systems. Participates in promoting cost-effective care. Gives feedback to co-workers. Is aware of public policy and regulatory guidelines affecting the health care environment. Promotes a safe, clean and secure hospital environment for all.
-
Patient Assessment - Recognizes data from complex situations to determine priorities for care. Includes appropriate physical, psychosocial, education and safety needs. Synthesizes assessment data into meaningful whole prior to communication to others. Assesses and anticipates discharge needs of individual patients and families. Develops relationships with families that promote their ability to advocate for the patient and their own needs.
-
Planning - Collaborates with patient/family to prepare or update the plan of care. Makes use of available multidisciplinary resources in planning care. Begins to use full range of communication as a means to convey planning. Identifies and addresses cultural and ethnic issues in planning patient care. Demonstrates ability to prioritize tasks for patients with complex problems.
-
Research - Reads journals that contain studies or articles that may be applicable to practice. Brings ideas and questions to the staff at large for assessment of applicability.
Other Information
Education Requirements:
- Graduation from a school of professional nursing.
- If hired after January 6, 2014, must be enrolled within four years of employment, and obtain a Bachelor's degree with a major in Nursing or a Master's degree with a major in Nursing within seven years of employment date.
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
- Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of North Carolina by the day of clinical care.
- Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification.
Professional Experience Requirements:
- No prior experience required.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
Job Details
Legal Employer: NCHEALTH
Entity: UNC Rex Holly Springs Hospital
Organization Unit: 7BT Med Surg Nursing HS
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 36.00
Salary Range: $32.55 - $41.77 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Variable
Location of Job: US:NC:Holly Springs
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This position is employed by NC Health (Rex Healthcare, Inc., d/b/a NC Health), a private, fully-owned subsidiary of UNC Heath Care System. This is not a State employed position.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.
See all 930+ 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.