For all healthcare professionals, communication is a very important skill. With increasing shortages in the numbers of qualified nurses in countries like Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, the healthcare system in these countries is looking to fill the gap with overseas trained nurses. One shortcoming that is found in many of these professionals is their lack of confidence while communicating in English; and miscommunications caused due to lack of language skills are often the base for errors in patient care.
The OET, or Occupational English Test, is specially designed to demonstrate the English language skills of healthcare professionals, and it gauges their ability to communicate well in healthcare contexts. OET is accepted in many countries as proof of your proficiency in English and is accepted for visas, education and work environments in healthcare.
The test materials reflect real scenarios that are played out in a healthcare environment, and studying for and passing this exam will give you the confidence to walk into an English-speaking healthcare job and perform your duties with competence. OET will not only improve your language skills, but you will also get a better attitude as a healthcare provider and will be able to raise your self esteem.
Pharmacist Anna Mylis recommends OET to all her colleagues. A professional who is currently working in Australia, she was born in the Soviet Union and stayed 20 years in Israel and English is not her first language. Her work requires her to communicate a lot with the clients, and OET has given her the skills and knowledge she needed to start her career in Australia.
Helen Joseph from India is also enthusiastic in her endorsement of the OET. As she puts it, “I will promote OET to all my colleagues who are planning to migrate, or to get health care registration.” She feels that she now has the confidence to face scenarios when they occur in reality, as the OET has prepared her well to be more focused at work and understand situations better.
The other commonly accepted test of English proficiency, the IELTS, requires an extremely high level of English and has often been called the gold standard, as those who pass need to have a superior level of proficiency. There are many who argue that this level of proficiency is not really required for the nursing profession. The IELTS also lacks the cultural component to assess relationships between people, or the mandates that come into play when talking to or dealing with patients. These deficiencies in IELTS are addressed by the OET, as it specifically tests English in a medical context, and may be of greater benefit to healthcare candidates in their future employment.
However, the OET is not accepted in many countries, so do check whether it is an acceptable test of English proficiency in the destination of your choice. Also do keep in mind that regardless of which test you sit for, the Nursing Council in your preferred country will also require a Competency Assessment Programme to be passed before you can register yourself for work overseas.
Start your international career in healthcare today, by signing up for the OET!