need your advice

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Hi guys,

I have recently graduated from one of Sydney's unis as a nurse (RN). Unfortunately, for registration all new graduates who are not from English speaking background have to pass English test (IELTS/OET - all 7/B) or have 5 years edicuation in English (I have only 3 years and AU PR). Passing English test can really take a lot of time. What courses or options could you advise in this frastrating situation? I would appreciate any help.

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Did you not know this requirement before you started your course? It has been a requirement since 2011. Some think that they will be able to pass an english test because they attended an Australian university, this is definately not so. Compensations are made for those that are not english speakers, university does not teach english nor english speaking. In my course if you could object and stand out if you had to do a presentation or take part in group work.

Many students stick to their own culture and understandably so, all this does not help with passing an english exam.

Unfortunately, for everybody, gaining a pr visa does not make the visa holder more proficient in English, hence AHPRA brought in these standards for all non educated in Australia immigrants.

I have 2 pca's working on my shift that have completed EN curriculum, started their courses before the new english standards of 2011. One came out to Australia 35 years ago another 15 years ago, cannot pass IELTS 7 in one sitting niether went to an english speaking secondary school, Both have become Australian citizens.

You need to practise and sit the IELTS or OET that is the standard.

Sydney uni or any education facility, should not accept anyone without the english standard.

I think they should lower it like they did before, let other non english countries set the standard, like pre 2011 so that all that have done a nursing course anywhere can still register.

Hang on though they are contemplating lowering the IELTS to 7 in several sittings.

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@Ceridwyn,

What do you mean by 'Hang on though, they are contemplating lowering the IELTS to 7 in several sittings.'?

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If you go into current consultations, 'revision of criminal and English standards' closed. 23rd December, NMBA are suggesting accepting IELTS. 7 all round in several sittings. No word yet on outcome. watch this space.

Seems they are also up for discussion about registering nurses that are educated in English but from non English speaking countries, as before.....letting other countries set the standard of English for Australian health professionals, probably found politically incorrect to tell someone their English is poor, patients and colleagues do not understand you!

Just go and pull my haIr out, there is no hope for us oldies to have nursing staff we can talk to and understand when we are old and in that nursing home. Grhhhhh

I feel sorry for most oldies now in nursing homes in the cities:banghead:

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ceridwyn, thank you for your response and opinion. I appreciate it though I cannot completely agree with you. Sorry for my curiosity, what are your those 2 pca's doing now? Are they still trying to pass English test? What do they say about their future in nursing career?
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They are still working as pca's. There is nothing more they can do but pass the IELTS or OET. They cannot be registered or work as EN's unless registered with AHPRA.

Why do you ask? There is no al​ternative.

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I ask because there is one more option. To be registered new grads have to pass OET/IELTS or have 5 years full time education in English language in Australia (USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, NZ...).

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"niether went to an english speaking secondary school, Both have become Australian citizens."

This was in my post to clarify, their position as well even being Australian citizens. I am sure they know about an English tertiary education l for 5 years and would have grabbed the chance by now if it had been applicable to them.

One came from the Nederlands. 35 years ago and the other from Nepal 15 years ago.

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Specializes in Acute Care. ER. Aged Care/LTC. Psyche.

I am an immigrant myself and came from a non-English speaking country per mother tongue. Although English is one of the official languages and the medium of instruction from kindergarten up to college. Still, I still think IELTS requirement should be strictly implemented.

We have AINs who speak very little English. Good workers, though. But when one of the patients' family complained that there are staff who doesn't understand English, the management said it's "racism". When one of the Australian staff complained to the management that an immigrant AIN is performing poorly, the management said it's "racism". I guess some Australians are overly careful about the racism issue and don't want to stir controversy about it. I viewed it differently. I think there should be an English language standard for patient safety.

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I agree with iamnomad. If an EN/RN have poor command of English, handing over of information to the next shift can be prolonged and mentally exhausting. It will also compromise patients' safety and level of comfort while that EN/RN is on duty. During emergencies, people just shout what they want and every second counts. Having a sub-par level of English will slow down the entire team during the life saving process.

In short, poor communication in English hampers the efficacy of the team and compromise the standard of care for the patients.

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