The United States continues to face strong demand for registered nurses (RNs). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 180,800 RN job openings are projected each year from 2025 to 2035, with employment expected to grow by 6%. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $97,550 in May 2025. Meanwhile, the Health Resources and Services Administration projects a nationwide shortage of 108,960 full-time-equivalent RNs by 2038.
For international nurses considering graduate education in the United States, Day 1 CPT for nurses may be worth exploring when practical training is an integral part of an eligible degree program. Options may include an MBA in Healthcare Administration or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), depending on the nurse's education, licensing status, and career goals. However, enrolling in a university does not automatically grant CPT employment authorization. Students must meet the applicable F-1 requirements and obtain approval from their designated school official (DSO) before beginning CPT employment.
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Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) include nurse practitioners (NPs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). These roles require specialized postgraduate nursing education, certification, and applicable state licensure.
An MBA in Healthcare Administration may help experienced nurses transition toward hospital management, healthcare operations, or administrative leadership. However, an MBA alone does not qualify an RN to practice as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse-midwife, or clinical nurse specialist.
Benefits of a U.S. RN License
In California, these professionals are known as LVNs, and their role is similar to that of nurses internationally. LVNs operate under the supervision of RNs, providing basic nursing care such as wound care, sterile techniques, and medication administration. They are not permitted to perform assessments or give intravenous injections. LVNs require several months to a year of classroom learning and hospital internships and must pass a licensing exam.
Known as Nurse Aides, CNAs are akin to nursing aides or assistants in hospitals elsewhere. Training typically takes 6 to 12 weeks post-high school in community colleges or large hospitals.
CNAs handle personal care and inpatient nursing such as bathing, changing linens, turning patients, taking temperatures, and checking blood pressures and pulses. They are not permitted to administer medication, give injections, or perform any sterile technique nursing tasks. In the U.S., individuals performing CNA roles are generally referred to as Unlicensed Assistant Personnel (UAP).
Day 1 CPT refers to Curricular Practical Training that may begin early in an eligible academic program. For F-1 students, CPT is employment-based training that must be an integral part of an established curriculum and directly related to the student's major.
International nurses considering Day 1 CPT should understand that holding a U.S. RN license and having authorization to work are separate requirements. An RN license permits professional practice under applicable state law, but it does not independently provide immigration work authorization.
Students pursuing an MBA in Healthcare Administration must also establish a direct academic connection between their employment responsibilities and the degree curriculum. Working in a hospital does not automatically make every bedside nursing position eligible for MBA-related CPT.
Eligible graduate students may qualify for CPT without completing a full academic year when their program requires immediate practical training. In every case, the school's designated school official must authorize the specific CPT placement, and the student must receive the properly endorsed Form I-20 before starting the work.
Students should also consider future OPT eligibility. One year or more of full-time CPT can make a student ineligible for post-completion OPT at that educational level.
Many nurses consider pursuing a new master's degree or MBA to enhance their salaries, and competitiveness, and to await their green card. Suitable degrees for nurses include Day 1 CPT MBA, MS Nursing, and MS Healthcare. These Day 1 CPT MBA and MS programs allow them to work while studying, providing them with an opportunity to extend their lawful stay in the U.S.
Nurses exploring Day 1 CPT programs should compare graduate degrees based on their professional goals, existing qualifications, and the program's academic requirements.
MBA in Healthcare Administration: This degree focuses on healthcare operations, business strategy, organizational management, and administration. It may be suitable for nurses seeking management or nonclinical leadership responsibilities. CPT eligibility depends on the specific curriculum and the relationship between the approved training position and the MBA.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): An MSN generally focuses on advanced nursing knowledge and may offer specializations in nursing leadership, education, or other areas. Some programs require applicants to hold a BSN and a current U.S. RN license. Admission to an MSN program does not automatically mean that it offers Day 1 CPT or qualifies international students for F-1 enrollment.
Master's in Healthcare Management or Administration: These programs may help nurses transition into healthcare operations, quality improvement, and administrative careers. The program's degree type, practical-training requirements, and the student's actual job duties must be evaluated before relying on CPT.
The best program is not necessarily the one advertising the earliest CPT start date. Nurses should prioritize academic relevance, program eligibility, school accreditation, practical-training requirements, and long-term career value.
Day 1 CPT MBA - Healthcare Administration (STEM)
This concentration teaches nurses the important aspects of managing a healthcare facility. Business management, managed care, and health care policies are covered with a focus on quality assurance and decision-making in managed care.
Westcliff University offers an MBA concentration in Healthcare Administration. Students interested in the program should confirm the applicable CPT requirements and request the program's CIP code before assuming that the concentration qualifies for STEM OPT benefits.
Day 1 CPT MBA - Health Care Management
Monroe University's New York campuses are located in the Bronx and New Rochelle. The university states that Fall 2026, beginning September 9, was the final opportunity to enter its Second Master's Degree Program. International nurses considering a second master's degree should verify current program availability and F-1 eligibility directly with admissions.
Day 1 CPT MS Nursing - Nurse Educator Specialization & Nurse Leadership Specialization
Ottawa University offers an accredited MSN with nursing leadership and nurse educator options. However, its published 2026–27 Kansas City tuition information identifies the MSN as an online offering. Prospective F-1 students should obtain written confirmation of whether an eligible campus-based format and CPT authorization are available before treating this as a Day 1 CPT option.
Day 1 CPT MS Nursing
Harrisburg University's MSN offers clinical nurse leader and nurse educator tracks and received a 10-year CCNE reaccreditation in 2026. Applicants must meet the university's nursing admission requirements, including a BSN and U.S. RN license. International students should separately confirm whether their intended MSN enrollment and practical-training arrangement qualify for F-1 CPT.
International registered nurses may qualify for employment-based permanent residency through Schedule A, Group I, a labor-certification category covering certain professional nursing positions. This allows qualifying employers to submit the Schedule A labor-certification documentation directly to USCIS with the immigrant petition instead of completing the ordinary Department of Labor PERM recruitment process.
For the nursing qualification requirement, acceptable evidence may include a CGFNS Certificate, proof of passing the NCLEX-RN, or a permanent, full, unrestricted RN license in the state of intended employment, as applicable.
Schedule A does not guarantee a green card or immediate employment authorization. The employer and nurse must still satisfy immigration requirements, and an immigrant visa number must be available. Pursuing Day 1 CPT is a separate educational and immigration matter, not a substitute for the employment-based green card process.
For nurses aiming to pursue a nursing career in the U.S., obtaining various certifications is essential, with higher degrees often leading to more complex roles and higher salaries. Enrolling in a Day 1 CPT MBA program offers numerous benefits for these aspiring nurses. Not only does such a program facilitate the attainment of higher educational qualifications, but it also extends the period an international nurse can legally remain in the U.S. while waiting for a green card. Importantly, Day 1 CPT programs allow nurses to work concurrently with their studies, providing practical experience and financial support as they progress through their academic and professional journey. This integration of work and study is particularly valuable in the competitive and demanding field of nursing, where hands-on experience significantly enhances a nurse’s qualifications and readiness for advanced roles.