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 JobsINTRODUCTION
As an Operating Room Clinical Coordinator RN at Novant Health’s Presbyterian Medical Center, you’ll be trusted to deliver expert care to our patients during surgery. From circulating, equipment set up, and managing the OR, your clinical skill, judgment, and adaptability will help drive safe, compassionate care where it matters most.
This Full-Time role is ideal for experienced OR RNs looking to work within a high-performing, collaborative team with exposure to a wide range of surgeries.
Operating Room experience required
What makes this unit stand out:
- Fast-paced, team-oriented environment with a strong culture of accountability and support
- Opportunities to broaden your clinical skills across a variety of procedures
- Backed by Novant Health’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and advancement
- Benefits starting day one
- May be eligible for relocation assistance
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education: 4 Year / Bachelors Degree, preferred. Graduate of an accredited Nursing program; B.S. in Nursing or related field preferred.
Experience: Minimum of one year experience as a clinical nurse in acute care environment, required. Previous leadership experience, preferred.
Licensure/Certification: Current licensure as an RN, required.
Additional Skills (required): Has knowledge and skills necessary to modify care according to patient(s)’ age. Has the ability to interpret information to identify each patient’s requirements for care relative to his/her age specific needs.
What You'll Do:
- Acts as a charge nurse on the weekends
- Functions as a role model, facilitator, mentor and coach for all clinical and support staff
- Helps coordinate work shift activities in the clinical area
- Assists the Nurse Manager with continuous quality improvement, personnel utilization, performance appraisals, resource usage and budget management, and maintenance of standards of care
- Able to provide care to patients on designated units
INTRODUCTION
As an Operating Room Clinical Coordinator RN at Novant Health’s Presbyterian Medical Center, you’ll be trusted to deliver expert care to our patients during surgery. From circulating, equipment set up, and managing the OR, your clinical skill, judgment, and adaptability will help drive safe, compassionate care where it matters most.
This Full-Time role is ideal for experienced OR RNs looking to work within a high-performing, collaborative team with exposure to a wide range of surgeries.
Operating Room experience required
What makes this unit stand out:
- Fast-paced, team-oriented environment with a strong culture of accountability and support
- Opportunities to broaden your clinical skills across a variety of procedures
- Backed by Novant Health’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and advancement
- Benefits starting day one
- May be eligible for relocation assistance
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education: 4 Year / Bachelors Degree, preferred. Graduate of an accredited Nursing program; B.S. in Nursing or related field preferred.
Experience: Minimum of one year experience as a clinical nurse in acute care environment, required. Previous leadership experience, preferred.
Licensure/Certification: Current licensure as an RN, required.
Additional Skills (required): Has knowledge and skills necessary to modify care according to patient(s)’ age. Has the ability to interpret information to identify each patient’s requirements for care relative to his/her age specific needs.
What You'll Do:
- Acts as a charge nurse on the weekends
- Functions as a role model, facilitator, mentor and coach for all clinical and support staff
- Helps coordinate work shift activities in the clinical area
- Assists the Nurse Manager with continuous quality improvement, personnel utilization, performance appraisals, resource usage and budget management, and maintenance of standards of care
- Able to provide care to patients on designated units
See all 417+ 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.