OPT Nurse Resident Jobs
Nurse Resident positions are entry-level hospital roles designed for new graduate nurses completing clinical training. Many health systems sponsor OPT for these programs, and STEM OPT extension may apply if your nursing degree qualifies. USCIS authorization timing matters: your EAD must be valid before your start date.
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Position Title:
RN Resident - Registered Nurse - Cardiovascular Unit - Days & Nights Available
Department:
Cardiovascular Unit
Job Description:
Ask your recruiter about our competitive total rewards package to include the following:
- Sign-on bonus up to $5,000 for qualified individuals
- Student loan repayment up to $25,000
- Relocation assistance if moving 100+ miles
Location: University of Oklahoma Medical Center
pap-Shift: Full-Time, 36hrs/week, 7a-7p & 7p-7a available
The Cardiovascular Unit focuses on cardiac and vascular care for adults and varies widely in acuity and complexity. Focused patient care areas include post-operative paraoesophageal hernia repair, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), bypass grafting (Fem-Pop, Pop-Pop), and cardiac and peripheral artery stents. In addition, our unit performs Direct Current Cardioversion (DCCV). This unit focuses on progressing post-ICU populations to help discharge after cardiac, thoracic, or vascular surgery requiring ICU. Care includes monitoring new Permanent Pacemaker (PPM), Implanted Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD), or Transvenous Pacemaker (TVP).
General Description:
An OU Health Registered Nurse (RN) I works under general supervision, providing the highest quality of care to patients in a hospital setting with health problems ranging from simple to complex. They model the OU Health Way, as evident in their work output and interactions with employees and patients, through living OU Health’s core values of putting Patients First, pursuing Relentless Excellence, showing Integrity, seeking Inclusion for all staff and patients, always Learning, and valuing Teamwork.
RN I represents the nurse who is a novice or an advanced beginner advancing to competent. While advancing from novice to competent, the nurse relies on rules rather than principles which are independent of specific situations. The advanced beginner may have enough real experience to begin to formulate principles.
Essential Responsibilities
- Aligns behaviors with OU Health values and maintains nursing professional practice standards.
- Assumes responsibility for an assigned patient or group of patients.
- Documents patient responses to nursing interventions and prescribed medical treatments, noting all changes in physician order on assigned patients.
- Assists physician in the examination of patients and in performing minor diagnostic procedures and treatment.
- Obtains and monitors physiological data of patients, observes the physiological manifestations of patients, and intervenes when necessary.
- Administers medication as prescribed.
- Initiates, regulates and monitors intravenous infusions and blood products.
- Delivers patient care safely and competently.
- Resolves patient complaints in a timely manner in accordance with policy and in collaboration with support staff.
- Informs patient and family of hospital procedures and shares care plan during the time of care and at the time of discharge.
- Makes referrals regarding patient care needs to appropriate personnel.
- Fosters a growth mindset through seeking mentorship, remaining open to coaching and feedback, and maintaining professional certification(s)/licensure in order to perpetually develop and uphold the skills required for proficiency within the nursing profession.
- Develops a professional career plan and establishes personal, performance goals in alignment with enterprise-wide metrics, frequently measuring progress with department leadership.
- Fosters an inclusive workforce where individual differences are valued and maximized to achieve OU Health’s winning aspiration.
- Delegates tasks to clinical support staff as needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.
Experience: 0-3 years of experience in patient care as a Registered Nurse.
License/Certification/Registration:
- Current Registered Nurse License (RN License issued by the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing, or a current multistate compact Registered Nurse (eNLC)).
- Basic Life Support (American Heart Association) certification required upon hire.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Knowledge of basic professional nursing theory, practices, techniques, and procedures.
- Ability to organize, plan, coordinate, and evaluate nursing services and apply nursing techniques.
- Ability to maintain civility and good working relationships with other employees.
- Ability to respond effectively to cultural and language needs of patients and visitors.
- Skilled in computer applications designed to ensure quality and safety measures for patients.
- Ability to establish and maintain integrity and trust with patients by advocating in the patient’s best interest.
- Ability to engage and manage conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner.
- Ability to maintain compliance accreditation with local, state, and federal regulatory standards.
- Ability to foster an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and maximized to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
- Strong written and oral communication skills characterized by candor, openness, integrity, and ability to be diplomatic.
Please review the additional information below and reference the linked Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace policy if you have questions.
Current OU Health Employees - Please click HERE to login.
OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Nurse Resident
Target health systems with established residency programs
Large academic medical centers and regional hospital networks run structured nurse residency cohorts and are far more experienced with OPT authorization than small clinics. Prioritize employers with dedicated HR immigration support and a track record of hiring international new grads.
Confirm your start date aligns with your EAD validity
Nurse residency programs have fixed cohort start dates, often January, June, or July. Verify your OPT EAD covers that exact date before accepting an offer. Starting even one day before your EAD is valid is an unauthorized employment violation with serious immigration consequences.
Ask HR about STEM OPT eligibility before you apply
Some BSN programs classify under STEM-eligible CIP codes, which could extend your work authorization by 24 months. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO early. If you qualify, mention this proactively to employers, as it meaningfully extends the window before H-1B visa sponsorship is needed.
Disclose your OPT status clearly and early in the process
Nurse residency applications often move quickly through HR screening. Clearly stating your OPT authorization upfront saves everyone time and signals professionalism. Employers who proceed knowing your status are already self-selected as willing to work with international candidates, making the conversation much more productive.
Understand the timeline between offer and program start
Residency programs typically require several weeks for onboarding, background checks, and licensing verification before the cohort begins. Factor this into your OPT timeline planning. If your EAD application is pending, apply early enough to receive your card well before the program's required onboarding start date.
Research which states have faster NCLEX licensure processing
You cannot work as a nurse resident without a valid RN license, and state processing times range from days to several months. Choose states with faster endorsement or initial licensure timelines when job searching. This directly affects whether you can realistically start within your OPT authorization window.
Nurse Resident OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as nurse residents in the United States?
Yes, F-1 students with an approved OPT Employment Authorization Document can work as nurse residents, provided the role is directly related to their nursing or healthcare degree. Your EAD must be valid before your start date, and the position must fall within your authorized field of study. You'll also need a valid RN license for the state where you're working before the program begins.
Do nurse residency programs typically sponsor OPT students?
Many large health systems and academic medical centers actively hire OPT nurses, but sponsorship practices vary significantly by employer. Hospital networks with formal residency cohorts and dedicated HR immigration teams tend to be most accommodating. Smaller community hospitals may lack the infrastructure to navigate OPT requirements efficiently. Migrate Mate lists nurse residency roles at employers experienced with international candidates, making it easier to filter for genuine opportunities.
Does a BSN degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on the specific CIP code your university assigned to your nursing program. Some BSN programs qualify under STEM-eligible classifications, which would allow a 24-month OPT extension beyond the standard 12 months. Check with your Designated School Official to confirm your degree's CIP code before assuming you qualify. If eligible, apply for the STEM extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires.
What happens to my OPT if a nurse residency program delays my start date?
If your employer delays your start date, you're considered unemployed during that gap, which counts against your OPT unemployment limit of 90 days. You cannot begin working, even informally, until your EAD is valid and your official start date arrives. Notify your DSO immediately if your start date shifts, and confirm all paperwork is aligned. Extended delays close to your OPT expiration date can create serious authorization gaps.
Can I switch to a different nurse residency employer after starting OPT?
Yes, OPT allows you to change employers as long as the new role remains within your authorized field of study and your EAD is still valid. However, you must report the employer change to your DSO within 10 days of starting the new position, and any gap between jobs counts toward your 90-day unemployment limit. Transition carefully if you're close to your EAD expiration date, as a new position does not extend your OPT period.