OPT RN Staff Nurse Jobs
RN Staff Nurse roles are among the most consistently sponsored positions for OPT students with nursing degrees. Hospitals and health systems routinely file H-1B visa petitions for registered nurses, making this one of the stronger pathways from OPT to long-term work authorization. Clinical experience during your OPT period strengthens both your resume and your sponsorship case.
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Get Access To All JobsInvest in Your Future and Theirs: Full-time Milton S. Hershey Medical Center employees receive a 75% Penn State tuition discount for themselves and eligible dependents through the Grant-in-Aid program.
Penn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: Full Time
FTE: 1.00
Shift: Varied
Hours: Varied hours
Recruiter Contact: Corey Cunningham at ccunningham3@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Registered Nurse Clinical Staff Leader will ensure clinical care delivery and ensure optimal patient outcomes. The RN Clinical Staff Leader will be involved in providing clinical patient care. The RN Clinical Staff Leader will assist in ensuring the quality of patient care delivery in a specific patient care area and will serve as a role model for professional nursing practice. The RN Clinical Staff Leader will review appropriate staffing based on patient acuity and patient needs and assess nursing service needs relative to the needs of patients within the unit and recommend corrective actions when appropriate.
DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:
With 39 beds, this unit serves patients with hematological and oncologic malignancies as well as patients receiving stem cell transplants and CAR T-cell Therapy. Nurses in this unit receive training in chemotherapy administration and the care of hematology/oncology and stem cell transplant patient. Nurses complete Oncology Nursing Society/Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONS/ONCC) Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certification as part of orientation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or Master's Degree in Nursing required
- Two (2) years clinical experience required
- Progressive leadership experience required
- Currently licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse by state of employment or holds a multistate RN license through the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.
- AHA BLS prior to end of orientation period.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
Invest in Your Future and Theirs: Full-time Milton S. Hershey Medical Center employees receive a 75% Penn State tuition discount for themselves and eligible dependents through the Grant-in-Aid program.
Penn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: Full Time
FTE: 1.00
Shift: Varied
Hours: Varied hours
Recruiter Contact: Corey Cunningham at ccunningham3@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Registered Nurse Clinical Staff Leader will ensure clinical care delivery and ensure optimal patient outcomes. The RN Clinical Staff Leader will be involved in providing clinical patient care. The RN Clinical Staff Leader will assist in ensuring the quality of patient care delivery in a specific patient care area and will serve as a role model for professional nursing practice. The RN Clinical Staff Leader will review appropriate staffing based on patient acuity and patient needs and assess nursing service needs relative to the needs of patients within the unit and recommend corrective actions when appropriate.
DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:
With 39 beds, this unit serves patients with hematological and oncologic malignancies as well as patients receiving stem cell transplants and CAR T-cell Therapy. Nurses in this unit receive training in chemotherapy administration and the care of hematology/oncology and stem cell transplant patient. Nurses complete Oncology Nursing Society/Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONS/ONCC) Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certification as part of orientation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or Master's Degree in Nursing required
- Two (2) years clinical experience required
- Progressive leadership experience required
- Currently licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse by state of employment or holds a multistate RN license through the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.
- AHA BLS prior to end of orientation period.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH?
Penn State Health offers exceptional opportunities to learn and grow, exposure to a wide patient population, and the ability to provide individualized, innovative, and specialized care to patients in the community.
Penn State Health offers an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental and vision with no waiting period as well as a Total Rewards Program that highlights a few of the many additional offerings below:
- Be Well with Employee Wellness Programs, and Fitness Discounts (University Fitness Center, Peloton).
- Be Balanced with Generous Paid Time Off, Personal Time, and Paid Parental Leave.
- Be Secured with Retirement, Extended Illness Bank, Life Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Be Rewarded with Competitive Pay, Tuition Reimbursement, and PAWS UP employee recognition program.
- Be Supported by the HR Solution Center, Learning and Organizational Development and Virtual Benefits Orientation, Employee Exclusive Concierge Service for scheduling.
WHY PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER?
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is Central Pennsylvania’s only Academic Medical Center, Level 1 Regional Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Tertiary Care Provider. As a four-time Magnet-designated hospital, Hershey Medical Center values the hard work and dedication that our employees exhibit every day. Through our core values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence, our employees are a team committed to compassionate care for our diverse patient population, our community and each other. As a valued team member, we promote continued professional development, specialty certification, continuing education, and career growth.
YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE’LL TAKE CARE OF YOU. State-of-the-art equipment, endless learning, and a culture of excellence – that’s Penn State Health. But what makes our healthcare award-winning? That’s all you.
This job posting is a general outline of duties performed and is not to be misconstrued as encompassing all duties performed within the position. Eligibility for shift differential pay based on the terms outlined in company policy or union contract. All individuals (including current employees) selected for a position will undergo a background check appropriate for the position's responsibilities.
Penn State Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected class including disability or veteran status. Penn State Health’s policies and objectives are in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination.
Union: Non Bargained
See all 690+ OPT RN Staff Nurse Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT RN Staff Nurse Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a RN Staff Nurse
Target large hospital systems first
Large hospital networks and academic medical centers have established immigration teams and sponsor H-1B visas regularly. They're more likely to have a process in place than smaller clinics or outpatient facilities, which reduces friction when you ask about sponsorship.
Get your NCLEX and state license before you apply
Most employers won't start OPT paperwork until you hold an active RN license in their state. Passing NCLEX and completing state licensure before job hunting removes a major barrier and signals you're ready to work immediately.
Ask about sponsorship during the offer stage, not after
Raise H-1B sponsorship during offer negotiations, not after you've accepted. Asking early gives both sides time to confirm the employer's willingness and allows their legal team to assess your timeline against your OPT expiration date.
Track your OPT end date against the H-1B cap deadline
H-1B cap-season registrations open in March for an October 1 start. If your OPT expires before October 1, you'll need a cap-gap extension or a different strategy. Map your OPT end date against this timeline before accepting any offer.
Highlight specialty certifications to stand out
Certifications like BLS, ACLS, or specialty credentials in ICU, ER, or labor and delivery make you more competitive. Employers sponsoring visas want candidates who reduce training costs, and specialty-ready nurses demonstrate immediate clinical value.
Prioritize employers with a history of nursing sponsorship
Not every hospital that hires nurses will sponsor visas. Search for employers with documented H-1B filing histories for RN roles, and focus your applications there. Migrate Mate surfaces OPT-friendly employers so you're not guessing.
RN Staff Nurse OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an RN Staff Nurse on OPT?
Yes, F-1 students who have completed a nursing degree and hold an active state RN license can work as an RN Staff Nurse on OPT. Your OPT must be in a field directly related to your degree, and nursing roles from an accredited nursing program meet that requirement. Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization.
Do RN Staff Nurse jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Nursing degrees are generally not classified under STEM-designated CIP codes, which means most RN Staff Nurse positions do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. If your degree was in a STEM-adjacent field such as biomedical informatics or health informatics, check your specific CIP code with your DSO to confirm eligibility before assuming you qualify.
How do I find RN Staff Nurse employers who sponsor OPT students?
The most efficient approach is to focus on employers with a documented history of sponsoring nurses for H-1B visas. Migrate Mate curates a job board specifically for OPT students, making it easier to identify nursing employers who are open to sponsoring international candidates rather than filtering through postings that won't lead anywhere.
What happens to my OPT if I switch hospitals as an RN?
You can change employers during OPT as long as the new role is directly related to your nursing degree. You must report the change to your DSO within 10 days through your school's SEVIS reporting system. There's no formal USCIS approval needed to switch, but your new employer will need to verify your OPT Employment Authorization Document before you start.
Will hospitals sponsor an H-1B visa for RN Staff Nurses?
Many large hospital systems and academic medical centers do sponsor H-1B visas for registered nurses, though it varies significantly by employer size and staffing needs. Nursing qualifies as a specialty occupation under H-1B requirements because the role typically requires at minimum a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Smaller outpatient clinics are less likely to sponsor, so targeting larger health systems improves your odds considerably.