OPT Registered Nurse Jobs
Registered Nurse jobs on OPT are available, but sponsorship adds a layer of complexity most employers don't advertise upfront. Hospitals and health systems that sponsor typically file H-1B visa or EB-3 petitions. Your 12-month OPT window, with a possible 24-month STEM extension if your nursing degree qualifies, determines how much runway you have to secure a long-term visa.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Coordinates and provides high quality nursing care to Hospice patients and families consistent with Hospice Care philosophy, policy, goals and objectives, and Standards of Nursing Practice. Works under moderate supervision.
What You Will Do
- Assesses the physical, social, psychological, living conditions and pastoral care needs of the patient/family through professional knowledge and skills of observation, interviewing and physical examination on an ongoing basis.
- Establishes and revises, as necessary, the nursing component of the patient/family plan of care based on goals mutually acceptable to the patient/family and significant others and makes referrals to other services, as necessary.
- Coordinates implements and evaluates the effectiveness and outcome of the care plan by ongoing assessment, planning, coordination, counseling, teaching and supervision.
- Travels to patients’ homes and/or other facilities with varying environments (e.g., elevated buildings, walk-ups, care facilities, single/multiple family homes, presence of pets, etc.) using approved transportation options to deliver direct care to the patient.
- Transports and utilizes required medical equipment and supplies using VNS Health designated/supplied carrying case weighing approximately 25 – 30 lbs. to and from patient homes/care facilities, VNS Health offices and other locations.
- Provides nursing care in accordance with Agency policies, practices, procedures and Standards of Nursing Practice, which may require standing, stooping, sitting, crouching, bending and stretching to deliver patient care.
- Assists patients with activities of daily living, which may require positioning, moving, transferring and lifting patients of varying weights and physical conditions, with and without assistance and as appropriate, from family members and/or paraprofessionals.
- Visits clients every two weeks to assess the clients’ condition and update the plan of treatment.
- Monitors the effect of the plan of cares on the patient/family and informs physician and other personnel of changes in the patient's needs.
- Manages a caseload of patients.
- Provides nursing care services and initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures.
- Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings.
- Appraises care provided and revises the goals and approaches to patient/family care in coordination with the interdisciplinary team.
- In coordination with the interdisciplinary team, assesses the family's needs during the bereavement period and provides ongoing counseling with referral to community resources, as appropriate.
- Initiates and maintains written (including clinical and progress notes) and verbal communications to assure optimal patient care.
- Understands and interprets Hospice Care reimbursement policy and determines the billing source for patient care.
- Maintains productivity sufficient to meet Hospice goals.
- Participates in the orientation of new staff.
- Orients, instructs and supervises License Practical Nurses, paraprofessional staff and volunteers.
- Consults with and educates the client and family regarding the disease process, self-care techniques, and prevention strategies.
- Performs established work procedures in relation to Region/Program workflow.
- Understands and interprets the Hospice philosophy and responsibility to other health professionals, laymen and community.
- Assumes responsibility for professional growth.
- Evaluates conformance of the inpatient facility in carrying out the interdisciplinary team's plan of care for select patients, when assigned.
- Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Licenses and Certifications:
- License and current registration to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State required
Education:
- Associate's Degree in Nursing, with at least one year of experience as a full-time staff nurse in a medical-surgical nursing area or other clinical healthcare experience required OR
- Bachelor's Degree in a health or human services field or Nursing from a State-approved diploma program preferred
Work Experience:
- Minimum of one year of clinical nursing experience including at least six months of Hospice, or Med/Surg or ICU or Emergency Department or Home Care, Palliative Care, Oncology or Long Term Care experience required
- Demonstrated computer skills may be required based on operational needs
- Bilingual skills may be required, as determined by operational needs
Pay Range
USD $118,942.00 - USD $152,717.00 /Yr.
About us
VNS Health has been committed to meeting the needs of New Yorkers for over 130 years. We’re one of the largest nonprofit home- and community-based health care organizations in the country, and today, more than 11,500 team members work together to make a difference in the lives of more than 99,000 patients and members on any given day.
INTRODUCTION
Coordinates and provides high quality nursing care to Hospice patients and families consistent with Hospice Care philosophy, policy, goals and objectives, and Standards of Nursing Practice. Works under moderate supervision.
What You Will Do
- Assesses the physical, social, psychological, living conditions and pastoral care needs of the patient/family through professional knowledge and skills of observation, interviewing and physical examination on an ongoing basis.
- Establishes and revises, as necessary, the nursing component of the patient/family plan of care based on goals mutually acceptable to the patient/family and significant others and makes referrals to other services, as necessary.
- Coordinates implements and evaluates the effectiveness and outcome of the care plan by ongoing assessment, planning, coordination, counseling, teaching and supervision.
- Travels to patients’ homes and/or other facilities with varying environments (e.g., elevated buildings, walk-ups, care facilities, single/multiple family homes, presence of pets, etc.) using approved transportation options to deliver direct care to the patient.
- Transports and utilizes required medical equipment and supplies using VNS Health designated/supplied carrying case weighing approximately 25 – 30 lbs. to and from patient homes/care facilities, VNS Health offices and other locations.
- Provides nursing care in accordance with Agency policies, practices, procedures and Standards of Nursing Practice, which may require standing, stooping, sitting, crouching, bending and stretching to deliver patient care.
- Assists patients with activities of daily living, which may require positioning, moving, transferring and lifting patients of varying weights and physical conditions, with and without assistance and as appropriate, from family members and/or paraprofessionals.
- Visits clients every two weeks to assess the clients’ condition and update the plan of treatment.
- Monitors the effect of the plan of cares on the patient/family and informs physician and other personnel of changes in the patient's needs.
- Manages a caseload of patients.
- Provides nursing care services and initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures.
- Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings.
- Appraises care provided and revises the goals and approaches to patient/family care in coordination with the interdisciplinary team.
- In coordination with the interdisciplinary team, assesses the family's needs during the bereavement period and provides ongoing counseling with referral to community resources, as appropriate.
- Initiates and maintains written (including clinical and progress notes) and verbal communications to assure optimal patient care.
- Understands and interprets Hospice Care reimbursement policy and determines the billing source for patient care.
- Maintains productivity sufficient to meet Hospice goals.
- Participates in the orientation of new staff.
- Orients, instructs and supervises License Practical Nurses, paraprofessional staff and volunteers.
- Consults with and educates the client and family regarding the disease process, self-care techniques, and prevention strategies.
- Performs established work procedures in relation to Region/Program workflow.
- Understands and interprets the Hospice philosophy and responsibility to other health professionals, laymen and community.
- Assumes responsibility for professional growth.
- Evaluates conformance of the inpatient facility in carrying out the interdisciplinary team's plan of care for select patients, when assigned.
- Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Licenses and Certifications:
- License and current registration to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State required
Education:
- Associate's Degree in Nursing, with at least one year of experience as a full-time staff nurse in a medical-surgical nursing area or other clinical healthcare experience required OR
- Bachelor's Degree in a health or human services field or Nursing from a State-approved diploma program preferred
Work Experience:
- Minimum of one year of clinical nursing experience including at least six months of Hospice, or Med/Surg or ICU or Emergency Department or Home Care, Palliative Care, Oncology or Long Term Care experience required
- Demonstrated computer skills may be required based on operational needs
- Bilingual skills may be required, as determined by operational needs
Pay Range
USD $118,942.00 - USD $152,717.00 /Yr.
About us
VNS Health has been committed to meeting the needs of New Yorkers for over 130 years. We’re one of the largest nonprofit home- and community-based health care organizations in the country, and today, more than 11,500 team members work together to make a difference in the lives of more than 99,000 patients and members on any given day.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Registered Nurse
Target hospital systems, not small clinics
Large hospital networks like academic medical centers and multi-state health systems have dedicated HR and immigration teams. They sponsor far more consistently than independent clinics or small outpatient practices, which rarely have the infrastructure to manage visa petitions.
Check NCLEX licensure requirements by state early
You must hold an active RN license in the state where you'll work. Licensing timelines vary by state and can take weeks. Apply for your license immediately after graduation so it doesn't delay your OPT start date or a pending job offer.
Ask explicitly about H-1B sponsorship during interviews
Don't assume sponsorship is available because a hospital is large. Ask HR directly whether they have sponsored H-1B visa petitions for nurses before and whether they cover attorney and filing fees. This saves weeks of pursuing roles that won't work out.
Understand the EB-3 pathway for nurses
Many hospital employers sponsor nurses through the EB-3 green card route rather than H-1B. This involves PERM labor certification and takes longer, but it leads directly to permanent residence. Ask whether the employer offers this track alongside or instead of H-1B.
Use your OPT period to build specialized experience
ICU, ER, and OR nurses are harder to find than general med-surg nurses. Employers are more motivated to sponsor candidates with in-demand specializations. Using your OPT period in a high-acuity unit strengthens your sponsorship case significantly.
Confirm your nursing degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Not all nursing programs are classified under STEM CIP codes. Check with your DSO whether your specific degree qualifies for the 24-month STEM extension. If it does, you have up to three years total to secure long-term sponsorship from an employer.
Registered Nurse OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Registered Nurse on OPT without an H-1B sponsor?
Yes, you can work as an RN on OPT without an H-1B sponsor, but only for the duration of your OPT authorization, typically 12 months. To stay in the U.S. and continue working after OPT expires, you'll need an employer to sponsor a nonimmigrant visa like H-1B or begin an immigrant visa process like EB-3. Hospitals that hire OPT nurses often have sponsorship pathways already in place.
Does a nursing degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on the CIP code assigned to your specific nursing program. Some nursing degrees, particularly those in biomedical science or health informatics concentrations, qualify. Traditional BSN programs often do not. Confirm with your Designated School Official before assuming you have 36 months total. If you qualify, the STEM extension gives you significantly more time to find a sponsoring employer.
Where can I find Registered Nurse jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship availability, so you can focus on hospitals and health systems that have a track record of sponsoring. Searching general job boards wastes time on roles that won't lead to long-term status. Migrate Mate surfaces RN roles where sponsorship is confirmed or strongly indicated.
Do I need a U.S. nursing license before I can start working on OPT?
Yes. You must hold an active RN license issued by the state where you'll be employed before you can legally practice as a nurse. OPT work authorization alone is not sufficient. Licensing requires passing the NCLEX-RN exam and meeting each state's application requirements, which can take four to eight weeks or longer. Start the licensing process immediately after graduation.
Is nursing classified as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
USCIS has historically scrutinized H-1B petitions for RN roles because nursing doesn't always meet the specialty occupation standard, which requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field as a minimum requirement for the position. Some employers successfully petition by emphasizing advanced clinical settings or specialized units. BSN-level nurses in roles requiring that specific degree have a stronger case than generalist positions. An immigration attorney experienced in healthcare is essential here.