IELTS, OET and OSCE exams

This guide will help nurses, midwives and nursing associates who qualified overseas prepare for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), OET (Occupational English Test) and OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) exams. It has details of key resources and useful books.

Last updated: 17/06/2022

Key Resources
Books
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IELTS, OSCE and OET

RCN Immigration Advice Service: Preparing for IELTS, OET and OSCE exams

Explains who needs to complete the IELTS, OET, CBT and OSCE exams. Links to practice tests and other helpful information.
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Nursing and Midwifery Council: Accepted English language tests

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Nursing and Midwifery Council: Coronavirus (Covid-19): Information and advice for overseas candidates

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Nursing and Midwifery Council: Joining the register

There are different ways to apply for registration, depending on which part of the register you want to join and where you trained. Register as a nurse, midwife, or nursing associate.
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Career development

RCN: Careers resources for nurses and midwives

Includes advice for nurses on applying for jobs, CV writing, the interview process and career progression tips.
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RCN: Nursing careers resource

This careers resource, which has been jointly developed by the Royal College of Nursing and Health Education England, will help registered nurses and the clinical support workforce across the UK plan their health careers effectively
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RCN: Leadership skills. How to demonstrate leadership within your career

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RCN forums and networks

RCN forums and networks are free to join as part of RCN membership. They cover a wide range of areas within nursing and are a great way to get involved with the profession.
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OSCE books

Bloomfield J, Pegram A and Jones C (2010) How to pass your OSCE: a guide to success in nursing and midwifery. Florence: Taylor and Francis.

Godson N (2011) Nursing and health: objective structured clinical examination survival guide. Harlow: Pearson Education.

Cabellero C, Creed F, Gochmanski C and Lovegrove J (eds.) (2012) Nursing OSCEs: a complete guide to exam success. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lister S E, Hofland J, Grafton H (2020) The Royal Marsden manual of clinical nursing procedures. Professional edition. 10th edn. Wiley Blackwell: Hoboken.

IELTS books

Cambridge Assessment English (2021) IELTS 16 academic with answers: authentic practice tests. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Borrow from RCN Library services

Cullen P, French A and Jakeman V (2014) The official Cambridge guide to IELTS: for academic and general training. Student's book with answers, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Borrow book and DVD from RCN Library services

Moore J and Cambridge Assessment English (2020) IELTS common mistakes for bands 6.0-7.0. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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Sorrenson M (2017) McGraw-Hill Education IELTS. 2nd edn. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

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Occupational English Test (OET) books

Cambridge Boxill Language Assessment (2018) OET nursing: official practice book 1. Melbourne: Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment.

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Kaplan Publishing (2020) Official guide to OET. 2nd edn. New York: Kaplan. Publishing.

Khaira G (2018) Nurses' guide to the updated OET 2.0: speaking and writing modules. Chennai: Notion Press.

Borrow from RCN Library services

Leyshon C, Khaira G and Allum V (2020) The Cambridge guide to OET nursing. Student’s book. Cambridge English.

Borrow from RCN Library services

McNally B and Mackenzie A (2017) Grammar booster for OET nursing: language and grammar for effective communication in healthcare settings. Brisbane: ELTWorks.

Borrow from RCN Library services

Study skills books

Aveyard H, Sharp, P and Woolliams M (2015) A beginner’s guide to critical thinking and writing in health and social care. 2nd edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Read S H (2018) Academic writing skills for international students. London: Macmillan Education.

This is book is aimed at non-native English speakers who need to write university assignments.
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Study skills reading list

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Cottrell S (2019) The study skills handbook. 5th edn. London: Macmillan International Higher Education.

Williams A (2013) Research: improve your reading and referencing skills. London: Collins.

This book is designed to help international students to achieve academic success at an English-speaking institution. Learn how to choose the right sources, access information, think critically when reading texts, make concise notes.
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