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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Get Access To All JobsLocation Detail: St Vincents Medical Center (10427)
Shift Detail: Current colleague transferred to a 36 hour role - same department.
Start here at St. Vincent’s Medical Center and work where every moment matters!
St. Vincent’s Medical Center doesn’t just take great care of our patients; we take great care of our Registered Nurses too! Our benefit options at St. Vincent’s are designed so you can care for yourself and your family, just as you care for others when you are here.
What our nurses’ love about St. Vincent’s Medical Center:
- Automatic enrollment into the Nurse Residency Program for all graduate RNs with less than one year of experience.
- Bridge to Residency (B2R) Program (partnered with a coach to support successful completion of the NCLEX exam).
- Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250.00 after six months of employment and up to 40% tuition discounts with partnering institutions for colleagues AND dependents.
- Loan forgiveness for qualifying existing student loans.
- Employee assistance and wellness programs include a strong focus on promoting mental health.
- Paid time off and health insurance packages.
- Free parking on-site.
- Discounts on services, products and optional coverages – movie tickets, pet insurance, travel and more!
- Opportunities to join Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs) to bring together colleagues who share similar backgrounds to raise common concerns/advocate for those who historically have not had a voice in leadership decision-making.
Job Summary:
- Provides direct nursing care in accordance with established policies, procedures and protocols of the healthcare organization.
Responsibilities:
- Implements and monitors patient care plans. Monitors, records and communicates patient condition as appropriate.
- Serves as a primary coordinator of all disciplines for well-coordinated patient care.
- Notes and carries out physician and nursing orders.
- Assesses and coordinates patient's discharge planning needs with members of the healthcare team.
- Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to assess patients and to identify physical, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual and age-related needs in order to provide individualized care to the patient.
- Delegates aspects of care to other nursing personnel consistent with their level of education and expertise in order to meet patients' needs and to maximize staff performance.
- Participates in daily interdisciplinary patient rounds. Demonstrates knowledge of patients' condition and is able to provide appropriate input to meet desired outcomes for the appropriate patient population.
- Reflects ANA Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice (2015), ANA Code of Ethics (2015), and ANA Social Policy Statement (2015).
- Develops, implements and revises individualized plans of care.
- Participates in activities for professional growth and development outside of patient care.
- Other Duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited nursing school.
- Associate degree required; BSN preferred.
- Current Connecticut RN license.
- BLS certification by the American Heart Association.
- Excellent assessment and critical thinking skills.
Committed to nursing excellence, St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport is a twice-designated Magnet hospital. With more than 3,200 employees, it includes a 473-bed teaching hospital, a 76-bed inpatient psychiatric facility and special needs services for adults and children. St. Vincent's is also a Level 2 Trauma Center, certified by the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma. Now part of Hartford HealthCare, it is the fastest growing hospital in the state providing more advanced surgical procedures and expanding access to care. A large provider group, comprised of the region’s foremost experts, provides convenient patient access from Stamford to Milford and nearly everywhere in between. Founded in 1903, St. Vincent’s remains steadfast in its mission to provide compassionate, personalized care to the community.
St. Vincent’s Medical Center is part of Hartford HealthCare, a system that includes 7 acute care hospitals, a comprehensive Behavioral Health Network, Home Care services, Senior Services, and an extensive Medical Group network. Hartford HealthCare’s unified culture enhances access, affordability, equity and excellence. Its care-delivery system of more than 40,000 colleagues — in more than 500 locations serving 185 towns across Connecticut offers unparalleled expertise-touching more than 23,000 lives every single day. Here you’ll learn, grow, and contribute to healing and health as part of one of Connecticut’s premier health systems. No matter where you work in the Hartford HealthCare system, you're connected to the team that's redefining care. Start here, where every moment matters.
Location Detail: St Vincents Medical Center (10427)
Shift Detail: Current colleague transferred to a 36 hour role - same department.
Start here at St. Vincent’s Medical Center and work where every moment matters!
St. Vincent’s Medical Center doesn’t just take great care of our patients; we take great care of our Registered Nurses too! Our benefit options at St. Vincent’s are designed so you can care for yourself and your family, just as you care for others when you are here.
What our nurses’ love about St. Vincent’s Medical Center:
- Automatic enrollment into the Nurse Residency Program for all graduate RNs with less than one year of experience.
- Bridge to Residency (B2R) Program (partnered with a coach to support successful completion of the NCLEX exam).
- Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250.00 after six months of employment and up to 40% tuition discounts with partnering institutions for colleagues AND dependents.
- Loan forgiveness for qualifying existing student loans.
- Employee assistance and wellness programs include a strong focus on promoting mental health.
- Paid time off and health insurance packages.
- Free parking on-site.
- Discounts on services, products and optional coverages – movie tickets, pet insurance, travel and more!
- Opportunities to join Colleague Resource Groups (CRGs) to bring together colleagues who share similar backgrounds to raise common concerns/advocate for those who historically have not had a voice in leadership decision-making.
Job Summary:
- Provides direct nursing care in accordance with established policies, procedures and protocols of the healthcare organization.
Responsibilities:
- Implements and monitors patient care plans. Monitors, records and communicates patient condition as appropriate.
- Serves as a primary coordinator of all disciplines for well-coordinated patient care.
- Notes and carries out physician and nursing orders.
- Assesses and coordinates patient's discharge planning needs with members of the healthcare team.
- Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to assess patients and to identify physical, psychosocial, cultural, spiritual and age-related needs in order to provide individualized care to the patient.
- Delegates aspects of care to other nursing personnel consistent with their level of education and expertise in order to meet patients' needs and to maximize staff performance.
- Participates in daily interdisciplinary patient rounds. Demonstrates knowledge of patients' condition and is able to provide appropriate input to meet desired outcomes for the appropriate patient population.
- Reflects ANA Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice (2015), ANA Code of Ethics (2015), and ANA Social Policy Statement (2015).
- Develops, implements and revises individualized plans of care.
- Participates in activities for professional growth and development outside of patient care.
- Other Duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Graduate of an accredited nursing school.
- Associate degree required; BSN preferred.
- Current Connecticut RN license.
- BLS certification by the American Heart Association.
- Excellent assessment and critical thinking skills.
Committed to nursing excellence, St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport is a twice-designated Magnet hospital. With more than 3,200 employees, it includes a 473-bed teaching hospital, a 76-bed inpatient psychiatric facility and special needs services for adults and children. St. Vincent's is also a Level 2 Trauma Center, certified by the American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma. Now part of Hartford HealthCare, it is the fastest growing hospital in the state providing more advanced surgical procedures and expanding access to care. A large provider group, comprised of the region’s foremost experts, provides convenient patient access from Stamford to Milford and nearly everywhere in between. Founded in 1903, St. Vincent’s remains steadfast in its mission to provide compassionate, personalized care to the community.
St. Vincent’s Medical Center is part of Hartford HealthCare, a system that includes 7 acute care hospitals, a comprehensive Behavioral Health Network, Home Care services, Senior Services, and an extensive Medical Group network. Hartford HealthCare’s unified culture enhances access, affordability, equity and excellence. Its care-delivery system of more than 40,000 colleagues — in more than 500 locations serving 185 towns across Connecticut offers unparalleled expertise-touching more than 23,000 lives every single day. Here you’ll learn, grow, and contribute to healing and health as part of one of Connecticut’s premier health systems. No matter where you work in the Hartford HealthCare system, you're connected to the team that's redefining care. Start here, where every moment matters.
See all 258+ OPT Nurse Resident Jobs
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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.