OPT Travel Nurse RN Jobs
Travel Nurse RN jobs on OPT require active RN licensure in the placement state, which means F-1 students must complete NCLEX-RN before their OPT start date. Most assignments run 13 weeks, fitting neatly within standard OPT authorization. STEM OPT extension does not apply to nursing, so your 12-month window is firm.
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Employment Type:
Part time
Shift:
Description:
Are you an experienced Respiratory Therapist looking for premium compensation and maximum flexibility? Explore FirstChoice – Trinity Health's mobile staffing solution! FirstChoice RT’s are utilized to fill short and long-term assignments throughout the health system, and we need you to be a part of this innovative program! Nationwide and Regional opportunities available!
Enter Hours of shift here
What you will do:
- Qualified and willing to float throughout the hospital and/or throughout multiple hospital locations and/or regions
- Knows, understands, incorporates & demonstrates standard elements of professional practice per AARC guidelines.
- Acts independently & appropriately within, scope of knowledge & experience in practice area
- Retains accountability for delegation, choices, decisions & outcomes
- Collaborates with key stakeholders & contributes to quality & improvement practices & outcomes
- Exhibits agility & willingness to take on new & additional responsibilities
- Embraces new ideas & cultural differences while managing competing priorities
Minimum Qualifications:
- Respiratory Therapist
- Graduate of a two-year advanced practitioner - Accredited Respiratory Therapist program: Registry eligible.
- Current RRT credential.
- Valid State License in Respiratory Care if required in the state you are working.
- Interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate with patients, physicians and other health personnel and department management during all situations and in line with our mission and values.
- Analytical skills necessary to identify patient’s needs.
- Demonstrated basic computer skills in a Windows environment.
Position Highlights and Benefits:
- Premium Pay
- Flexible Scheduling
- Travel and Per Diem opportunities available
- Variety of Practice Settings
- DailyPay available
- Reimbursement of License and Certifications available per assignment
- Opportunity to participate in 403B program
Ministry Information:
FirstChoice offers rewarding Nursing, Respiratory Therapist, Surgical Technologist, and Health Care Professional travel positions with a flexible schedule to fit your life. FirstChoice travel Health Care Professionals fill critical positions when unforeseen or unplanned circumstances occur; or, when there is a position open due to an extended leave-of-absence. You’ll get to experience a variety of practice settings while traveling within your local region or traveling nationally – your choice!
Job Details:
Location: Trinity Health Livingston
Start Date: ASAP
Weeks: 13
Hours: 3x12
Shift: Nights
Gross Hourly Rate: $62
Our Commitment
Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Travel Nurse RN
Secure your RN license before OPT begins
State nursing boards can take 6 to 12 weeks to process applications after NCLEX-RN. Start the licensure application in your target state immediately after graduation so your license is active on your OPT start date.
Target staffing agencies that sponsor H-1B
Most travel nursing agencies hire on OPT without issue, but sponsorship options after OPT vary widely. Prioritize agencies with a documented history of H-1B visa filings for RNs, since nursing qualifies as a specialty occupation.
Understand the 13-week assignment cycle
Travel nurse contracts typically run 13 weeks. Map your remaining OPT time before accepting an assignment to confirm you can complete the full contract without your work authorization lapsing mid-placement.
Apply for Nurse Compact License if eligible
If your primary state of residence participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, one license covers 40-plus states. This dramatically widens your assignment options without filing separate licensure applications in every new state.
Report employer changes to your DSO promptly
Each new travel assignment with a different staffing agency counts as an employer change under OPT rules. Notify your Designated School Official within 10 days of starting with any new agency to keep your SEVIS record current.
Track your 90-day unemployment limit carefully
Gaps between travel nursing assignments count toward your OPT unemployment limit. Keep documentation of assignment end dates and new contract start dates, and pursue your next placement before the current one ends.
Travel Nurse RN OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as travel nurses in the United States?
Yes, F-1 students with active OPT authorization can work as travel nurses, provided they hold a valid RN license in the state where each assignment is located. Your OPT EAD card serves as your work authorization document. Each new staffing agency must be reported to your DSO as an employer update in SEVIS.
Does nursing qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension?
No. Nursing is classified under CIP code 51.3801, which is not on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. F-1 nursing graduates receive the standard 12-month OPT period only. Planning your post-OPT visa pathway, such as H-1B sponsorship through your staffing agency, should begin well before your OPT expires.
How do travel nursing assignment gaps affect my OPT unemployment limit?
Any day between assignments when you are not employed counts as an unemployment day under OPT rules. F-1 students on post-completion OPT may not accumulate more than 90 unemployment days. Back-to-back 13-week contracts with minimal gaps is the safest approach. Overlapping your job search with your current assignment end date reduces the risk of exceeding the limit.
Where can I find travel nurse RN jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored candidates, so every listing is filtered for work authorization compatibility. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you browse travel nurse roles at agencies that actively hire international candidates, saving time you would otherwise spend screening general job postings for OPT eligibility.
Do I need a new EAD or updated work authorization for each travel nursing assignment?
No. Your existing OPT EAD remains valid for the duration of the authorized period regardless of how many assignments or agencies you work with. What changes with each new agency is your SEVIS employer record, not your EAD. Report each new staffing agency to your DSO within 10 days of starting the assignment.