Why the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is necessary for International nursing recruitment

May 03, 2017
Paul Johnson

IELTS is a universal testing system designed to test an applicant’s proficiency and mastery of the English Language. It is the only English Language Test approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for those applying for a visa within and outside the UK. Anyone looking to study, work or relocate to the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand will be required to take this exam.
Interestingly, there are some countries where IELTS is not compulsory for NMC registration. The requirements for passing the IELTS always differ depending on which country the applicant is applying for. The IELTS consists of four separate exam categories:
• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading and
• Writing
Why IELTS?
There’s no way you can have successful recruitment in Nursing in the UK without an IELTS exam. This is so because communication plays a vital role. You need proficiency in the English Language as much as you need related qualifications and experience, especially for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
For nurses and midwives who trained in countries where English is not a native language, and are seeking employment in the UK, you’ll need this academic grading as required by the NMC:
• to pass the IELTS exam, with an overall score of at least 7.0 in listening, speaking and reading and 6.5 in writing
• or the Occupational English Test (OET) with a grade B
The Occupational English Test (also known as OET) introduced as an alternative to IELTS is an international English language test basically for the healthcare sector. It evaluates the language communication skills of healthcare professionals who wish to register and practice in an English-speaking country.
The influx of nurses and midwives in the UK is no surprise, and this is because the National Health Service (NHS) ranks as the best healthcare system in the world. This explains why it only accepts international healthcare professionals who meet the NMC standards.
More so, with an IELTS/OET pass, your CV will give employers a stronger view with an IELTS/OET. This will no doubt improve your career prospects without delay.
Taking the IELTS exam also represents a level of English proficiency that will make your career in the UK much more fulfilling. When you gain mastery of the language; you’ll do well at your job.
You’ll adjust nicely and more efficiently into British life, and you’ll find it much easier to get things done.
No doubts, it is an exam with so much pressure; even for those who speak English natively.
To address the attendant pressure of the exam on nurses, the NMC already recognizes that nurses take this exam under stressful conditions. In a recent announcement, the NMC has decided to make certain changes to the exam.
The test will be made less stressful for many nurses who have outstanding levels of English proficiency but find exam pressure unusually challenging.
In an overview, for your nursing career in the UK to be successful, you need to be proficient in listening, speaking, reading, and writing the English Language. You should double up efforts to understand the English Language if you need to.
English is to the UK what German is to Germany; hence, proficiency in communication is essential. The IELTS exam also comes with some high cost, and all of this goes to show how instrumental it is to fit into the environment,