OET for Nurses

Nurses take OET to show their English for registration in countries such as the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Listening and Reading are the same for every profession. Writing and Speaking use nursing tasks: a letter to another health professional, and role-plays with patients or relatives. On OET Practice, choose Nursing to practise those tasks.

Start practising

Why nurses take OET

Many nursing regulators ask overseas-trained nurses to show their English before they can register. OET lists the following among the nursing organisations that accept it:

Requirements change, and some regulators set different grades for different sub-tests. Check the current rules with your own regulator before you book.

What is different for nurses

Read the full guides: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

Writing for nurses

You read nursing case notes and write a letter that gives another professional what they need to continue the patient's care. The reader might be a community nurse, a GP, a nurse at another facility or another member of the care team. For example, you might write:

• a discharge letter to a district nurse who will dress a wound at home;
• a transfer letter to an aged-care facility when a patient moves there from hospital;
• a referral to a dietitian or physiotherapist for ongoing care.

Our OET Writing guide includes a model nursing discharge letter, built from case notes step by step.

Speaking for nurses

You complete two role-plays. You play the nurse, and the interlocutor plays a patient, relative or carer. The role card tells you the setting and what you need to do. For example, you might:

• explain how to use a new medicine or device at home;
• reassure an anxious patient before a procedure;
• give discharge advice to a relative who will care for the patient.

Assessors listen to your English and to your clinical communication, such as how you find out the patient's concerns and check their understanding. Our guide to the Speaking criteria explains all nine.

A preparation plan

For a full study routine, read how to prepare for OET.

Written by OET Practice team. Last reviewed: 27 October 2026. Read our editorial policy .