OPT NP Jobs

NP jobs are among the most accessible OPT-eligible roles in healthcare, with employers routinely sponsoring H-1B visa and O-1 visas for qualified candidates. Most positions require a current state NP license and national board certification. Standard OPT duration is 12 months, with STEM OPT extension not applicable to most NP programs.

Find OPT NP Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs2,659+
Work Type97% On-site
Top LocationHouston, TX
Most JobsCVS Health

Showing 5 of 2,659+ NP jobs

CVS Health
Advanced Practice Provider - NP/PA
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CVS Health
New 17m ago
Advanced Practice Provider - NP/PA
CVS Health
Clemson, South Carolina
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$37 - $81/hr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Florida Atlantic University
Family Nurse Practitioner
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Florida Atlantic University
New 36m ago
Family Nurse Practitioner
Florida Atlantic University
West Palm Beach, Florida
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$90k - $110k/yr
On-Site
Master's
1,001-5,000

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Houston Methodist
Nurse Practitioner Acute Care
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Houston Methodist
New 2h ago
Nurse Practitioner Acute Care
Houston Methodist
Houston, Texas
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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NYU Langone Health
Advanced Practice Provider Family Nurse Practitioner
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NYU Langone Health
New 2h ago
Advanced Practice Provider Family Nurse Practitioner
NYU Langone Health
Bridgehampton, New York
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$152k - $182k/yr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Yale New Haven Health
Advanced Practice Provider (PA) - Cardiac Surgery First Assist
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Yale New Haven Health
New 2h ago
Advanced Practice Provider (PA) - Cardiac Surgery First Assist
Yale New Haven Health
New Haven, Connecticut
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in NP

Target health systems with established visa programs

Large hospital networks and federally qualified health centers file H-1B visa petitions far more regularly than independent practices. Search their careers pages directly to confirm sponsorship history before investing time in an application.

Get your NP license sorted before you apply

Most employers won't extend an offer until you hold an active state license. Start the licensing process early since endorsement timelines vary widely by state and can easily consume two to three months of your OPT period.

Know your OPT end date before negotiating a start date

Employers need enough runway to file an H-1B petition or initiate another sponsorship pathway. Starting two to three months before your OPT expires leaves too little margin and raises concerns for hiring teams.

Prioritize cap-exempt employers for H-1B sponsorship

Nonprofits, academic medical centers, and government entities are exempt from the H-1B annual cap and can file year-round. These employers offer a more reliable sponsorship pathway than for-profit practices subject to lottery timing.

Lead with clinical value, not visa urgency

Hiring managers respond to candidates who solve staffing problems in underserved specialties or high-demand settings. Frame your NP specialty, patient population experience, and certifications first. Sponsorship becomes easier to discuss once clinical fit is established.

Clarify your OPT authorization status upfront with recruiters

Specify that you hold an EAD authorizing full-time employment and explain clearly what sponsorship will require later. Recruiters unfamiliar with OPT often conflate it with CPT or assume restrictions that do not apply to your situation.

NP OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as an NP on OPT without employer sponsorship?

Yes. Your OPT Employment Authorization Document authorizes you to work as an NP for any qualifying employer without immediate sponsorship. Sponsorship only becomes necessary when your OPT period expires and you need a longer-term status such as H-1B. Most NP employers are familiar with this distinction, though some smaller practices may need it explained.

Does my NP role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?

Most NP programs do not qualify for the STEM OPT extension because nursing and advanced practice nursing programs are typically classified under CIP codes outside the STEM-designated list. If your NP degree was granted in a STEM-eligible field such as health informatics or nursing informatics, confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.

Which employers are most likely to sponsor an H-1B for NP roles?

Academic medical centers, large nonprofit health systems, and federally qualified health centers sponsor H-1B petitions most consistently for NPs. These organizations are also cap-exempt, meaning they can file year-round without waiting for the annual lottery. You can browse NP roles at sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate, which filters for positions open to OPT and visa sponsorship candidates.

Do I need a full-time position to maintain valid OPT status as an NP?

USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your field of study. For NPs, clinical roles in patient care or advanced practice settings clearly satisfy this requirement. There is no strict minimum hours threshold for post-completion OPT, but unemployment of 90 or more cumulative days during your OPT period triggers a status violation, so maintaining consistent employment matters.

What visa options are available after my OPT expires for NP roles?

The H-1B is the most common path for NPs after OPT, though lottery timing creates uncertainty. Cap-exempt employers offer a more reliable route because they can file at any point. Some NPs also qualify for the O-1A under extraordinary ability criteria, particularly those with published research, leadership roles, or significant clinical recognition in their specialty.