Nursing Jobs for OPT Students
Nursing is one of the most in-demand fields in the U.S., but F-1 OPT students face a specific challenge: most clinical roles require licensure, and licensing timelines don't always align with OPT start dates. Your 12-month OPT window, or 36 months on STEM OPT, works best when you plan licensure, employer sponsorship, and visa transition together from the start.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We’ve learned that what is best for patients is also best for employees. Learn more about why we are one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas®.
JOB SUMMARY
The Administrative Assistant-Executive is responsible for assisting a member or members of UMC Executive team with various administrative duties.
REPORTS TO:
JOB SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Daily assignments may include but are not limited to:
- Provides administrative support to member(s) of UMC Executive team
- Greets and assists visitors to the department, both internal and external, via phone or in person
- Responsible for planning and hosting meetings including venue scheduling, media presence, meal planning, invitations, décor, as needed
- Manage calendar, mail, expense reports, and all other documents needing review/proofreading before distribution
- Ensure assigned executive members are informed and kept aware of on and offsite meetings and events that require their presence
- Serve as scribe in assigned meetings; compile, prepare, and distribute notes according to assignment
- Prepare Power-point presentations or spreadsheet analytics as assigned by the Director
- Manage purchase order request, invoice payments, in addition to ordering supplies
- May be required to serve as Time-keeper; maintaining KRONOS Time and Attendance System for department personnel
- Ensure office equipment in assigned department is in working condition; troubleshooting or initiating repair or purchase orders as required
- Works cooperatively with Administrative Assistants of other executive members and all UMC leadership teams
- All other assigned duties as requested by assigned department
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- High School Diploma or GED
- +5 years of executive supporting an executive (VP or higher)
- Proficient user of Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel
REQUIRED LICENSURES/CERTIFICATIONS/REGISTRATIONS
N/A
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to operate and troubleshoot general office equipment
- Excellent communication skills; must be able to read, write, and understand English fluently
- Minimum typing skills 45wpm with accuracy
INTERACTION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER RELATIONSHIPS
Depending on the assigned department, the person in this role will have interactions with many departments and employees within UMC. Interactions with patients, family members, and representatives of patients, and providers is possible.
PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES
Position requires prolonged time periods of sitting at a desk, talking on a phone, and working on a computer. Essential hearing and near vision acuity required. Incumbent should be able to push, pull, and lift up to 10 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS
Work area is well lighted, and subject to varying indoor temperatures changes. Position is sedimentary but may require extensive walking, standing, and/or stooping on occasion.
UMC Health System provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Request for accommodations in the hire process should be directed to UMC Human Resources.
INTRODUCTION
We’ve learned that what is best for patients is also best for employees. Learn more about why we are one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas®.
JOB SUMMARY
The Administrative Assistant-Executive is responsible for assisting a member or members of UMC Executive team with various administrative duties.
REPORTS TO:
JOB SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Daily assignments may include but are not limited to:
- Provides administrative support to member(s) of UMC Executive team
- Greets and assists visitors to the department, both internal and external, via phone or in person
- Responsible for planning and hosting meetings including venue scheduling, media presence, meal planning, invitations, décor, as needed
- Manage calendar, mail, expense reports, and all other documents needing review/proofreading before distribution
- Ensure assigned executive members are informed and kept aware of on and offsite meetings and events that require their presence
- Serve as scribe in assigned meetings; compile, prepare, and distribute notes according to assignment
- Prepare Power-point presentations or spreadsheet analytics as assigned by the Director
- Manage purchase order request, invoice payments, in addition to ordering supplies
- May be required to serve as Time-keeper; maintaining KRONOS Time and Attendance System for department personnel
- Ensure office equipment in assigned department is in working condition; troubleshooting or initiating repair or purchase orders as required
- Works cooperatively with Administrative Assistants of other executive members and all UMC leadership teams
- All other assigned duties as requested by assigned department
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- High School Diploma or GED
- +5 years of executive supporting an executive (VP or higher)
- Proficient user of Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel
REQUIRED LICENSURES/CERTIFICATIONS/REGISTRATIONS
N/A
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to operate and troubleshoot general office equipment
- Excellent communication skills; must be able to read, write, and understand English fluently
- Minimum typing skills 45wpm with accuracy
INTERACTION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER RELATIONSHIPS
Depending on the assigned department, the person in this role will have interactions with many departments and employees within UMC. Interactions with patients, family members, and representatives of patients, and providers is possible.
PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES
Position requires prolonged time periods of sitting at a desk, talking on a phone, and working on a computer. Essential hearing and near vision acuity required. Incumbent should be able to push, pull, and lift up to 10 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS
Work area is well lighted, and subject to varying indoor temperatures changes. Position is sedimentary but may require extensive walking, standing, and/or stooping on occasion.
UMC Health System provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Request for accommodations in the hire process should be directed to UMC Human Resources.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Nursing
Prioritize licensure before your OPT start date
Your NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN must be passed before most employers will place you in a clinical role. Apply for your state nursing license as early as possible so licensure delays don't eat into your authorized work period.
Target employers with established H-1B sponsorship history
Large hospital systems and academic medical centers, not small private practices, are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas. Look for employers who have filed H-1B petitions before, as first-time sponsors often underestimate the process and timeline involved.
Ask about sponsorship in the second interview, not the first
Raising visa sponsorship too early can end a conversation before it starts. Establish your clinical value and fit first, then discuss your authorization timeline once the employer has a clear reason to invest in you.
Understand which nursing roles qualify as specialty occupations
Not all nursing titles qualify for H-1B status. Advanced practice roles like nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist, which require a master's degree, have stronger H-1B eligibility than standard RN positions, which USCIS has scrutinized historically.
Track your OPT end date and H-1B lottery deadlines together
H-1B registration opens in March for an October start. If your OPT expires before October and you miss the lottery, you may face a gap. Cap-exempt employers like nonprofits affiliated with universities offer an alternative path worth exploring early.
Use your clinical rotations to build employer relationships
Many nurses receive their first full-time offer from a facility where they completed a clinical placement. If your program allows, prioritize rotations at hospital systems known for sponsoring international staff, and make your interest in staying known proactively.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as registered nurses in the United States?
Yes, but you must hold a valid state nursing license before working in a clinical RN role. OPT authorizes you to work in your field of study, so your degree must align with nursing or a health science. Apply for state licensure through your state's Board of Nursing as early as possible, since processing can take several weeks and delays directly reduce your usable OPT window.
Does nursing qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Standard nursing programs, like BSN degrees, are not classified under STEM-designated CIP codes, so most RN graduates are not eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. However, some specialized nursing informatics, public health, or healthcare technology programs may qualify. Check with your designated school official to confirm whether your specific degree program carries a STEM-eligible CIP code before assuming you qualify.
What visa options are available after OPT for nurses?
The H-1B visa is the most common path, but only advanced practice nursing roles, such as nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist positions requiring a master's degree, have historically met USCIS specialty occupation standards. Standard RN roles have faced H-1B denials. EB-3 immigrant visa sponsorship is a more common long-term route for bedside nurses, but it requires employer commitment and can take several years to complete.
How do I find hospitals and health systems that sponsor OPT students for nursing roles?
Large academic medical centers and nonprofit hospital systems affiliated with universities are the most likely to have experience sponsoring international nursing staff. You can browse nursing roles from OPT-friendly employers directly on Migrate Mate, which filters for positions relevant to F-1 students. Targeting employers with prior H-1B or EB-3 filing history gives you the strongest chance of finding a sponsor willing to support your transition beyond OPT.
Can I work in travel nursing or per diem roles on OPT?
OPT requires that your work be directly related to your degree field, which travel and per diem nursing satisfies. However, self-employment is not permitted on OPT, so you must be employed by a staffing agency or hospital, not operating as an independent contractor. Additionally, some agencies are unfamiliar with OPT authorization requirements, so confirm upfront that the employer will properly verify your Employment Authorization Document and comply with I-9 requirements.
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