Graduate Nurse Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Graduate nurses transitioning from F-1 OPT to H-1B visa sponsorship face unique challenges, as nursing typically requires state-specific licensing rather than a specialized degree in a narrow field. However, roles in specialized areas like informatics, case management, or clinical research often qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when paired with relevant education. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Penn State Health - Hershey Medical Center
Location: US:PA: Hershey
Work Type: Full Time
FTE: 1.00
Shift: Varied
Hours: Varied
Recruiter Contact: Renee Webster at rfoster4@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
START DATE: September 8th 2026
Penn State Hershey Medical Center is an Academic Medical Center located in Central Pennsylvania. With a four-time Magnet accreditation, Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center offers endless opportunities for Registered Nurses to grow and expand their career.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Graduate Nurse Residency Program is a full-time RN position that creates a seamless educational transition into the nursing world. This position offers an exceptional experience for new RN graduates to continue to learn and grow in their nursing career while assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care to a designated group of patients. Graduate nurse residents are expected to remain full-time on one unit for the entire year of the program, as well as actively participate in all learning opportunities that are offered.
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.
RESIDENCY APPLICATION & INTERVIEWS:
Please include an updated resume with your application.
Interviews for the Graduate Nurse Residency Program are conducted weekly with hiring occurring on a rolling basis.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S):
- Graduate Nurse with a Temporary Practice Permit or currently licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse by state of employment or holds a multistate RN license through the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.
- Candidates must have graduated within one (1) year of the cohort start date.
- AHA BLS prior to end of orientation period.
Please note - Penn State Hershey requires all registered nurses hired after July 1st, 2015 to enroll in a baccalaureate in nursing degree program within one year of their hire date and complete the degree within 4 years of their hire date. (This does not apply if your hire date was prior to June 30th, 2015).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S):
- Preferred experience includes GN and/or RN license, ONS/ONCC Chemotherapy Certification and/or professional nursing certification.
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: SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Graduate Nurse
Target specialized nursing roles that clearly require your degree
Focus on positions like clinical research coordinator, nurse informaticist, or quality improvement specialist. These roles demonstrate the specialized knowledge requirement better than general bedside nursing positions.
Emphasize your BSN and any specialized training or certifications
Document how your Bachelor of Science in Nursing directly relates to the role. Include certifications like CCRN, CEN, or informatics training that strengthen the specialty occupation argument.
Look for employers with existing H-1B programs and immigration support
Large health systems, academic medical centers, and research hospitals are more likely to sponsor visas. They often have established processes and understand the specialty occupation requirements.
Consider alternative visa pathways like O-1 for exceptional ability
If you have research publications, awards, or leadership in nursing organizations, the O-1 visa may be easier than proving nursing is a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes.
Network with international nurse recruitment agencies and consultants
Specialized healthcare recruiters often work with employers familiar with visa sponsorship. They understand which roles and employers are most likely to successfully petition for foreign nurses.
Prepare documentation showing your role requires nursing-specific knowledge
Gather evidence that your position requires nursing judgment, clinical assessment skills, and specialized training that only a nursing degree provides. Generic patient care won't qualify for H-1B.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do graduate nurses qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Graduate nurses can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship, but general bedside nursing roles face challenges proving specialty occupation status. Specialized positions like clinical research, informatics, case management, or quality improvement have better approval odds because they clearly require nursing-specific knowledge and typically mandate a BSN degree.
What degree requirements apply to nursing roles seeking H-1B sponsorship?
Most sponsored nursing positions require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program. Associate degree nurses may qualify if they have additional relevant education or extensive specialized experience. The role must demonstrate that it specifically requires nursing education, not just healthcare experience.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor graduate nurses?
Academic medical centers, research hospitals, large health systems, and healthcare technology companies have the highest sponsorship rates for nurses. These employers often have specialized roles requiring nursing expertise in areas like clinical research, quality improvement, or health informatics that clearly justify H-1B petitions.
How do nursing license requirements affect H-1B visa applications?
You don't need a nursing license before filing the H-1B petition, but you must obtain state licensure before beginning work. Many employers will sponsor your visa while you complete licensing requirements. Some states offer temporary permits for foreign-educated nurses during the licensing process.
What are common denial reasons for nursing H-1B petitions?
The most common denial reason is failing to establish that the role requires specialized nursing knowledge beyond general patient care. USCIS may question whether positions like staff nurse or patient care coordinator truly need a nursing degree versus general healthcare training. Specialized roles with clear BSN requirements have higher approval rates.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Graduate Nurse jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
How to find Graduate Nurse jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Graduate Nurse jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international healthcare professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus on public hospitals, private healthcare networks, and aged care facilities that commonly sponsor 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visas and 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visas for nursing graduates. These organizations frequently have structured graduate programs and established visa sponsorship processes.