What special obligations must a hospital employing foreign RNs meet under the H-1C program?
• Provide every RN who works at the hospital with a copy of its application (Form ETA 9081) which specifies certain terms and conditions of employment; • Notify U.S. workers of the intent to petition for H-1C RNs; • Pay at least the prevailing wage for the local area in which all RNs are employed by the hospital (including U.S. RNs); • Pay at least the same wage paid to similarly employed U.S. RNs; • Take timely and significant steps to recruit and retain U.S. RNs to reduce its dependence on temporary foreign nurses; • Not hire H-1C RNs during a strike/lockout involving RNs at the hospital; • Not lay off any U.S. RNs during the period from 90 days before until 90 days after filing any H-1C petition with the USCIS; • Limit the total number of H-1C RNs employed to no more than one-third of the total number of RNs employed at the facility; • Not allow any H-1C RN to perform nursing services at any location (worksite) other than a worksite controlled by the facility; • Not transfer the H-1
