OPT Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs
Registered Nurse Operating Room jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with an active EAD card, provided your nursing degree directly supports the role. Most OR nursing positions require a BSN and active RN licensure. STEM OPT extension does not apply to nursing, so your 12-month OPT window is what you're working with.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: UCHealth UCHlth Memorial Hospital North, US:CO:Colorado Springs
Department: Surgery North
Work Schedule: Full Time, 72.00 hours per pay period (2 weeks)
Shift: Days
Pay: $38.91 - $60.31 / hour. Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience
This position is an onsite role and does not offer a hybrid or remote option
Minimum Requirements:
- Graduate of an accredited or state board of nursing approved Registered/Professional Nursing program.
- State licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).
- 6 months of OR nursing (RN) experience or completion of the UCHealth Fellowship program.
- BLS - BLS through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer with card in-hand before start date. BLS or CPR card must be good through sixty days of hire.
At UCHealth, We Improve Lives
Picture yourself on a dynamic team improving lives in the following way(s):
- Provides top of scope practice in direct patient care utilizing the nursing process
- Values a multidisciplinary team approach to achieve exceptional outcomes
- Prioritizes wellness, a patient perspective and evidence-based practice
- Models proficiency through precepting those new to healthcare and/or UCHealth
- Welcomes new knowledge in a fast paced, innovative clinical environment
- Contributes to secure safety and quality at the point of care
Perioperative:
- Direct care includes practice in Perioperative, PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) or Operating Room levels of care
- AORN and ABPANC core curriculum and certifications standards are included in evidence-based care models
- Clinical Educators support and guide individualized specialty education and training for competency validation throughout clinical orientation.
Employees are our number one asset.
UCHealth promotes a culture that invests in professional success and personal well-being through a comprehensive total rewards program.
Recognition
- Performance bonus: UCHealth offers a 3-Year Incentive Bonus to recognize employee contributions to our success in quality, patient experience, organizational growth, financial goals and tenure. The bonus accumulates annually each October and is paid out in October during the third year of employment.
- Performance-based pay increase: The Annual Merit Pay Increase recognizes work performance that meets or consistently exceeds performance standards documented through UCHealth's established evaluation process and accounts for increased experience, skills and cost of living.
- Market reviews: All UCHealth positions are reviewed annually to ensure UCHealth base pay aligns with market standards. Base pay rates are adjusted as needed to stay market competitive.
Health and well-being
- Medical, dental and vision coverage.
- Access to 24/7 mental health and well-being support for employees and dependents.
- Discounted gym memberships and fitness resources.
- Free Care.com membership.
- Voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal plan, identity theft protection, pet insurance, auto and home insurance, and employee discount programs.
- Time away from work: Paid time off (PTO), paid family and medical leave (inclusive of Colorado FAMLI), leaves of absence.
- Employer-provided basic life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage with buy-up coverage options.
- Employer-provided short-term disability and long-term disability with a buy-up coverage option.
Retirement and savings
- 403(b) plan with employer matching contribution.
- Additional 457(b) plan may be available.
- Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent day care; health savings account available when enrolled in high-deductible (HD) medical plan.
Education and career growth
- UCHealth provides access to academic degrees and certificate programs to promote professional and personal growth.
- Up to 100% of tuition, books and fees paid for by UCHealth for specific educational degrees.
- Other programs may qualify for up to $10,000/year pre-paid by UCHealth or up to $5,250/year in the form of tuition reimbursement.
- Access to LinkedIn Learning, which offers thousands of virtual courses and seminars, and internal professional development opportunities.
- Employees have access to free assistance navigating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and submitting their federal student loans for forgiveness.
Eligibility for some programs is based on an employee's scheduled work hours.
We improve lives. In big ways through learning, healing, and discovery. In small, personal ways through human connection. But in all ways, we improve lives.
UCHealth always welcomes talent. This position will be open for a minimum of three days and until a top applicant is identified.
UCHealth recognizes and appreciates the rich array of talents and perspectives that equal employment and diversity can offer our institution. As an equal opportunity employer, UCHealth is committed to making all employment decisions based on valid requirements. No applicant shall be discriminated against in any terms, conditions or privileges of employment or otherwise be discriminated against because of the individual's race, color, national origin, language, culture, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state, or local law. UCHealth does not discriminate against any qualified applicant with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations, when the do not impose an undue hardship on the organization.
Location: UCHealth UCHlth Memorial Hospital North, US:CO:Colorado Springs
Department: Surgery North
Work Schedule: Full Time, 72.00 hours per pay period (2 weeks)
Shift: Days
Pay: $38.91 - $60.31 / hour. Pay is dependent on applicant's relevant experience
This position is an onsite role and does not offer a hybrid or remote option
Minimum Requirements:
- Graduate of an accredited or state board of nursing approved Registered/Professional Nursing program.
- State licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).
- 6 months of OR nursing (RN) experience or completion of the UCHealth Fellowship program.
- BLS - BLS through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer with card in-hand before start date. BLS or CPR card must be good through sixty days of hire.
At UCHealth, We Improve Lives
Picture yourself on a dynamic team improving lives in the following way(s):
- Provides top of scope practice in direct patient care utilizing the nursing process
- Values a multidisciplinary team approach to achieve exceptional outcomes
- Prioritizes wellness, a patient perspective and evidence-based practice
- Models proficiency through precepting those new to healthcare and/or UCHealth
- Welcomes new knowledge in a fast paced, innovative clinical environment
- Contributes to secure safety and quality at the point of care
Perioperative:
- Direct care includes practice in Perioperative, PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) or Operating Room levels of care
- AORN and ABPANC core curriculum and certifications standards are included in evidence-based care models
- Clinical Educators support and guide individualized specialty education and training for competency validation throughout clinical orientation.
Employees are our number one asset.
UCHealth promotes a culture that invests in professional success and personal well-being through a comprehensive total rewards program.
Recognition
- Performance bonus: UCHealth offers a 3-Year Incentive Bonus to recognize employee contributions to our success in quality, patient experience, organizational growth, financial goals and tenure. The bonus accumulates annually each October and is paid out in October during the third year of employment.
- Performance-based pay increase: The Annual Merit Pay Increase recognizes work performance that meets or consistently exceeds performance standards documented through UCHealth's established evaluation process and accounts for increased experience, skills and cost of living.
- Market reviews: All UCHealth positions are reviewed annually to ensure UCHealth base pay aligns with market standards. Base pay rates are adjusted as needed to stay market competitive.
Health and well-being
- Medical, dental and vision coverage.
- Access to 24/7 mental health and well-being support for employees and dependents.
- Discounted gym memberships and fitness resources.
- Free Care.com membership.
- Voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal plan, identity theft protection, pet insurance, auto and home insurance, and employee discount programs.
- Time away from work: Paid time off (PTO), paid family and medical leave (inclusive of Colorado FAMLI), leaves of absence.
- Employer-provided basic life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage with buy-up coverage options.
- Employer-provided short-term disability and long-term disability with a buy-up coverage option.
Retirement and savings
- 403(b) plan with employer matching contribution.
- Additional 457(b) plan may be available.
- Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent day care; health savings account available when enrolled in high-deductible (HD) medical plan.
Education and career growth
- UCHealth provides access to academic degrees and certificate programs to promote professional and personal growth.
- Up to 100% of tuition, books and fees paid for by UCHealth for specific educational degrees.
- Other programs may qualify for up to $10,000/year pre-paid by UCHealth or up to $5,250/year in the form of tuition reimbursement.
- Access to LinkedIn Learning, which offers thousands of virtual courses and seminars, and internal professional development opportunities.
- Employees have access to free assistance navigating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and submitting their federal student loans for forgiveness.
Eligibility for some programs is based on an employee's scheduled work hours.
We improve lives. In big ways through learning, healing, and discovery. In small, personal ways through human connection. But in all ways, we improve lives.
UCHealth always welcomes talent. This position will be open for a minimum of three days and until a top applicant is identified.
UCHealth recognizes and appreciates the rich array of talents and perspectives that equal employment and diversity can offer our institution. As an equal opportunity employer, UCHealth is committed to making all employment decisions based on valid requirements. No applicant shall be discriminated against in any terms, conditions or privileges of employment or otherwise be discriminated against because of the individual's race, color, national origin, language, culture, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state, or local law. UCHealth does not discriminate against any qualified applicant with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable accommodations, when the do not impose an undue hardship on the organization.
See all 316+ OPT Registered Nurse Operating Room Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Registered Nurse Operating Room
Obtain your RN license before applying
Most OR nursing positions require an active RN license in the state where you'll work. Pass the NCLEX-RN and apply for state licensure early. Processing times vary by state, so start this before your OPT period begins to avoid delays.
Target hospitals with established OPT hiring pipelines
Large academic medical centers and hospital systems hire internationally trained nurses regularly. These employers understand EAD documentation requirements and are less likely to reject your application over OPT status compared to smaller community hospitals.
Apply to perioperative residency programs
Many major hospitals offer structured perioperative nurse residency programs for new OR nurses. These programs often include formal onboarding, which can simplify the OPT verification process and improve your chances of H-1B visa sponsorship after your OPT period ends.
Highlight BLS, ACLS, and CNOR readiness in your application
OR nursing roles frequently require BLS and ACLS certification. Earning your CNOR credential or demonstrating active exam preparation signals serious intent to employers and helps differentiate your application from other new graduate candidates during the OPT hiring process.
Address your OPT timeline directly with recruiters
Be upfront about your EAD expiration date and H-1B sponsorship interest. Hospitals that sponsor nurses for H-1B visas need lead time to file before cap season. Delaying this conversation reduces your chances of a smooth transition after OPT expires.
Focus applications on states with nursing shortages
States with persistent nursing shortages, including Texas, California, and Florida, have higher employer demand and more flexibility with visa authorization. Higher demand environments make hospitals more willing to navigate OPT paperwork and consider future sponsorship for qualified OR nurses.
Registered Nurse Operating Room OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Registered Nurse in an OR on F-1 OPT?
Yes, if your nursing degree directly supports the OR RN role, which it does for BSN graduates. Your EAD card authorizes employment, and you must present it to your employer before your start date. You'll have up to 12 months of OPT work authorization. Nursing does not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, so plan your sponsorship timeline accordingly.
Do OR nursing jobs typically lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Some do. Large hospital systems and academic medical centers are more likely to sponsor OR nurses for H-1B visas than smaller facilities. The key is initiating the conversation early, since H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed months before your OPT expires. Not all OR nursing positions meet the specialty occupation standard required for H-1B, so confirm with the employer's legal team before relying on that pathway.
Where can I find OR nursing jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the best place to search for OR nursing jobs that are open to F-1 OPT candidates. The platform filters for visa-sponsoring employers, so you're not wasting applications on positions that won't work with your EAD. Searching directly saves time and helps you focus on hospitals with established international hiring processes.
Do I need a specific nursing degree to qualify for OPT as an OR nurse?
Your OPT must be directly related to your degree field. A BSN degree supports an OR RN role without issue. If you graduated with an ADN from a U.S. institution and later completed a bridge program, your OPT eligibility depends on which program issued your current F-1 status. Confirm with your DSO before applying to ensure your OPT authorization aligns with the OR nursing role.
What should I do if my OPT expires before I secure an OR nursing job?
If your OPT expires without a job offer, you enter a 60-day grace period before you must leave the U.S. or change status. One option is enrolling in a graduate nursing program to obtain a new F-1 status and apply for OPT again after completing that degree. Starting the sponsorship conversation early with OR nursing employers is the most effective way to avoid this situation entirely.