English language requirements

To be a registered nurse you need to be able to show you have strong English skills. You may need to do an English test:

• IELTS (The International English Language Testing System) You must receive a Band 7 mark.
• OET (Occupational English Test) You must receive a Grade B.

Demonstrating your English skills

During your placement, the Facilitator will check your English skills are in line with the spoken language requirements. The facilitator will advise you what level of English you fit in and let you know how you can improve.

If English is not your first language you might find the clinical placement expectations difficult.
You will need to be able to show that:

• You can use medical words for hospital equipment, and language used by patients.
• You can pronounce clearly and be easy to understand
• You can ask for help when you don’t understand
• You can understand what is being said to you by responding with words and action

If your English is poor and doesn’t meet the minimum needs, you may fail and will need to repeat the subject.

Support to improve English proficiency

UTS can help to improve your English skills. The HELPS (Higher English Language and Presentation Support) has:

• Pronunciation classes and resources
• Conversation sessions
• Holiday intensive English language courses

The faculty has:

• A series of video clips and language activities (called Clinically Speaking. Enrolled students please visit UTS Online)
• A section on clinical vocabulary in the Clinically Speaking video clips.

Outside of the university, you could consider:

• Hiring a tutor
• Learning English online through a number of resources (some of these are listed in your clinical subjects and on the framework for assessing spoken language)