Coaching nurses in 10+ countries
Healthcare English · Australia · UK · Ireland

OET Preparation for Nurses

The OET (Occupational English Test) is the healthcare-specific English exam accepted for nursing registration in Australia, the UK, Ireland and New Zealand. Most regulators require a Grade B (350) in each of the four sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Our 30-day programme, delivered one-to-one or in small groups, prepares you across all four sub-tests with nursing-specific Writing and Speaking, criterion-referenced feedback from day one, and full mock tests so you know exactly when you’re ready.

  • Grade B (350) target
  • All 4 sub-tests
  • 90-min daily sessions
  • Nursing-specific
  • 1-to-1 or small group
  • 2 full mocks
4Sub-tests covered
90 minDaily live sessions
350Grade B target
2 (+1)Full mocks + mini mock

Why this programme

Genuine 1-to-1 personalisation

A diagnostic on day one and a personalised study map, not a fixed syllabus.

Criterion-referenced feedback

Work marked against the official OET criteria from week one, so you always know how you're scoring.

Nursing-specific Writing & Speaking

Real clinical scenarios: referral, discharge and transfer letters, and nursing role-plays.

Two full mocks + a mini mock

More structured assessment than many 30-day courses, under real exam conditions.

Measurable progress tracker

Band estimates at four checkpoints, shared with the learner.

Confidence-focused final week

Consolidation plus a personalised exam-day checklist.

Your trainer, Vinod Sasidharan
Learn from an expert

Feedback that's specific and criterion-linked

Many nurses already have strong clinical communication skills: the task is to surface them in English under exam conditions. Our trainers mark every piece against the real OET criteria, so you know exactly what to change to move your score.

About the OET, four sub-tests

Listening and Reading are common to all professions; Writing and Speaking are tailored to nursing.

Sub-testTimingWhat it involves
Listening~40–45 minThree parts (A, B, C), around 42 questions: consultation extracts, short workplace extracts and extended recordings. Common to all professions.
Reading60 minThree parts. Part A is a fast 15 minutes (20 questions, four texts); Parts B & C share 45 minutes. Common to all professions.
Writing45 minFive minutes' reading then 40 minutes' writing: one nursing letter (typically referral, discharge or transfer).
Speaking~20 minA warm-up plus two nursing role-plays with an interlocutor, based on realistic clinical scenarios.

Each sub-test is scored from 0 to 500 in 10-point increments, mapped to grades A–E. Grade B (a score of 350) is the standard benchmark accepted by most nursing regulators. Some regulators let candidates combine best sub-test scores across more than one sitting: always confirm the registering body's rules.

Assessment criteria

Writing, six assessment criteria

CriterionScoreDescription
Purpose0–3The reason for the letter is immediately clear and developed throughout.
Content0–7The required information is included and accurate for the reader.
Conciseness & Clarity0–7Information is presented efficiently, without unnecessary detail.
Genre & Style0–7Clinical, professional tone suited to the document and recipient.
Organisation & Layout0–7Logically structured with a natural flow of information.
Language0–7Accurate grammar, vocabulary, spelling, cohesion and punctuation.

Speaking, two criteria groups

Linguistic: Intelligibility · Fluency · Appropriateness of Language · Grammar & Expression.

Clinical Communication: Relationship-building · Patient's perspective · Providing structure · Information gathering & giving.

Nurses often have an edge in Speaking: the programme helps them demonstrate existing clinical communication skills clearly, in English, under test conditions.

The 30-day plan

Each 90-minute session follows a consistent structure: warm-up, strategy, guided and independent practice, criterion-based feedback, and homework.

WeekFocus
Week 1Orientation, diagnostics & foundations: a baseline diagnostic, grammar and healthcare vocabulary, and an introduction to all four sub-tests. Finishes with a personalised study map.
Week 2Skill development: technique for every part of each sub-test, from guided to independent timed work. Closes with a mini mock.
Week 3Intensive practice: every session timed and every error logged. Ends with a full-length Mock Test I.
Week 4Refinement & exam preparation: data-driven refinement of weak areas, a second full mock, an exam-day checklist and a confidence-focused finish.

Progress tracking

Band estimates are recorded at four checkpoints and shared with the learner; the target is 350 (Grade B) in each sub-test.

CheckpointPurpose
Baseline, Day 1Diagnostic; establish starting level and set realistic targets.
Mini mock, Day 14Measure early progress and reset priorities for the intensive phase.
Full Mock I, Day 21A full-length exam simulation that drives the refinement week.
Full Mock II, Day 28Confirm exam-readiness against the baseline and Mock I.

What's included

  • A personalised study map and progress tracker
  • Official OET-style practice for all four sub-tests
  • Nursing case-note sets and role-play cards
  • A personal vocabulary notebook and error log
  • Two full mock tests plus a mid-course mini mock
  • Criterion-based feedback throughout the programme
  • A personalised, one-page exam-day checklist
  • Support from the trainer throughout preparation

This course suits you if you…

  • Are a registered nurse or healthcare professional preparing for OET for registration in Australia, the UK, Ireland or NZ.
  • Are at intermediate level or above and want a structured path to Grade B.
  • Benefit from personalised feedback and a clear day-by-day plan.

By the end, you'll have…

Reliable, tested strategies for every part of all four sub-tests.

Measurable score improvement tracked from a Day 1 baseline through two full mocks.

Nursing-specific Writing and Speaking skills for real clinical scenarios.

A personalised exam-day checklist and the confidence to perform under exam conditions.

Pricing

Simple, all-inclusive pricing

30-day programme, online
A$400
Choose this option

Course fee A$400 includes the personalised study map, all four sub-tests, nursing-specific Writing & Speaking, two full mocks plus a mini mock, criterion-based feedback and a personalised exam-day checklist. The OET exam fee is paid separately, directly to OET.

Questions

OET Preparation for Nurses FAQ

What OET score do nurses need?

Most nursing regulators require a Grade B (a score of 350) in each of the four sub-tests. Always confirm the exact requirement with your registering body.

Are the classes live?

Yes: live online, one-to-one or in a small group, with 90-minute daily sessions.

Is the course nursing-specific?

The Writing and Speaking sub-tests are tailored to nursing scenarios; Listening and Reading are common to all professions.

How long is the programme?

30 days across four structured weeks, with a diagnostic, a mid-course mini mock and two full mock tests.

Can I combine sub-test scores across sittings?

Some regulators allow this: check your registering body's rules.

When will I know I'm ready?

Your progress tracker records band estimates at four checkpoints, ending with a full mock before the exam.

Is the OET exam fee included?

No. The OET exam fee is paid separately to OET. Your course fee covers preparation, practice and feedback.

Success stories

Real nurses. Real results.

Our students come from around the world with one goal: to build a better future.

★★★★★
“Vinod was my NCLEX-RN trainer years ago and he has strong skills in training and supporting his students with great enthusiasm and the highest standards.”
Meyamma ShajiRegistered Nurse · Wagga Wagga, Australia
★★★★★
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. You were one of them in my student life.”
Aijo IssacRegistered Nurse · Newcastle, Australia
★★★★★
“I recently got a job with HSE and my overall learning experience was really good. The modules I completed really helped me with my interviews and in my current workplace.”
Jijo ThankachanHealthcare Professional · Waterford, Ireland
★★★★★
“Vinod Sir is an inspiring teacher and presenter. He conveys his depth of knowledge in creative and engaging ways, and his enthusiasm rubs off on his students.”
Bindhya AlexRegistered Nurse · Brisbane, Australia
★★★★★
“As a student I really enjoyed the presentation of classes and his overall support and guidance during the tenure of the course.”
Pramod V PushpangadanHealthcare Professional · Dublin, Ireland
★★★★★
“A strong stimulus for students, pragmatic and result-oriented. He tailors his teaching to his students' needs and goes the extra mile. The best teacher and an adorable person.”
Ligen OusephHealthcare Professional · Ireland
★★★★★
“Without his great supervision and guidance it would have been very difficult to pass. I passed 3 interviews from 3 different HSE hospitals, and I had the choice of whichever I wanted.”
Anil DassanHealthcare Professional · Cavan, Ireland
★★★★★
“He is always approachable and passionate in teaching. Students become more active and attentive in his class.”
Bindhya AlexRegistered Nurse · Brisbane, Australia

Ready to reach Grade B?

Tell us your target exam date and we'll build your 30-day plan.

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Nurse Trainer is an independent education provider and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, OET. Exam format, scoring and fees are set by the exam provider and can change: always confirm current requirements on the official OET website and with your registering body before booking.

Last updated: 19 July 2026

A$40030-day programme, online
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