Questions nurses ask
Short answers to the questions nurses ask about exams, licensing, countries, costs, recruiters and jobs abroad. Each answer points to the official source to check.
41 questions
Exams
Do I need IELTS or OET to work abroad as a nurse, and which one is better?
Neither test is better in general.
Exams
Which countries accept OET for nurses, and which need IELTS?
It depends on the regulator in the country you are moving to, not on the test itself.
Exams
Does Canada accept CELBAN or IELTS for nursing?
Canada uses more than one English test for nurses, and the test that counts depends on the regulator and the province where you apply.
Exams
What overall IELTS score do I need to nurse in Australia?
The score is set by the regulator and it can change, so check Ahpra's current English requirements before you book a test.
Exams
How should I plan a short or month-long preparation period for a nursing English or licensing exam?
A plan you can keep beats a perfect plan you drop in week two.
Exams
How can I improve my speed in OET reading?
Speed in OET reading comes from practising the question types, not from reading faster.
Exams
Where can I find OET listening practice?
Start with the official OET materials, because they match the real exam format most closely.
Exams
How long do I have to wait to retake OET, and what does a retake cost?
The waiting period and the fee are set by the test provider, and both can change, so check the official OET website before you book.
Exams
Are the free practice tests on NurseFlyAbroad official exam material?
No.
Exams
How do I answer True, False and Not Given questions in IELTS Academic reading?
True means the passage states the same fact directly.
Exams
Is there free practice for NCLEX-RN?
Yes.
Exams
What is the NMC CBT like, and is the OSCE hard?
The NMC CBT is a computer-based test of clinical knowledge, and the OSCE is a practical exam made up of stations where you show clinical skills.
Exams
Where can I practise drug dosage calculations for the NMC CBT?
Practise dosage calculations every day in short blocks, because they are a common weak point in licensing exams and in real practice.
Licensing
How long does NMC registration take for an internationally educated nurse?
The time depends on your file, so no general figure is reliable.
Exams
How do I check exam dates and rule changes before I book?
Check each date and rule at its source before you book, because exam dates and rules change often.
Country
Which exams do I need for my destination country?
Start with the destination, because each one has its own licensing body and its own English and exam steps.
Exams
Which German certificate do I need for nursing in Germany: telc or Goethe B2?
Check which certificate the employer or the recognition body accepts, because requirements differ by role and by state.
Exams
What is the best way to learn German ward vocabulary for nursing?
Learn words in groups tied to a ward task, such as giving medication, taking a history or handover, rather than from an alphabetical list.
Licensing
Which documents do I need for Anerkennung as a nurse in Germany?
The recognition body in the German state where you apply decides which documents it needs, so ask that body for its checklist in writing and compare it with your file.
Costs
How much does it cost to get recognised as a nurse in Germany?
There is no single figure, because each recognition body and each German state sets its own fees.
Licensing
Which Gulf licence do I need: DHA, DOH, MOHAP or SCFHS?
The licence depends on the country and on the emirate or region where you will work.
Costs
Is it cheaper to get a DHA licence through an agency?
Licensing fees are set by the authority, so ask the authority directly and get the amount in writing.
Licensing
When are the SCFHS nursing exam periods, and where do I check them?
Exam periods change, so check the current dates in the Pulse section on NurseFlyAbroad, then confirm them on the SCFHS and test-provider websites before you book.
Country
What are the first steps to work as a nurse in Saudi Arabia from India?
Start with the licensing body.
Country
Can nurses from India move to Australia, and what is the process?
Yes, many nurses from India move to Australia, but the route has separate steps run by different bodies.
Country
How can a US-trained nurse move to Australia, and in what order should the steps happen?
The steps can overlap, but they are separate processes, so the order depends on which body needs which document first.
Country
What is the usual order of steps for a nurse who wants to work in Canada?
The order is set by each body, not by an agency.
Country
Will a change to Canada Express Entry points affect a nurse's timeline?
Express Entry rules are set by the federal government, and they change.
Country
Which country is easiest for internationally educated nurses?
No country is easiest for everyone.
Jobs
What should I expect to earn as a band 5 nurse in the UK, and how do I compare countries?
Pay depends on the band, the region and any allowances.
Jobs
Is a recruitment agency worth it for a nursing job in Germany?
Ask first whether you would be charged any fee.
Costs
Who should pay the visa and work permit costs for a job in Dubai?
Fair recruitment means the employer pays the recruitment costs, so ask the employer to confirm in writing who pays for the visa and the work permit.
Fake agents
Is it normal for an agency to ask for a fee before I see a job offer?
No.
Fake agents
Should I pay agency placement fees before I receive a licence or work visa?
Please do not pay placement fees before you have a written job offer and a signed contract from the employer.
Fake agents
Is an agency training bond allowed before a nursing job?
A training bond is a warning sign when it is above the legal limit for the country, so check that limit before you agree to anything.
Fake agents
How do I verify a recruitment agent before I pay anything?
Before you pay any agent, ask for three things in writing: a job offer, a signed contract from the employer, and proof that the agency is on your government's official licensed list.
Fake agents
Should I give my passport or original certificates to an agency?
No.
Fake agents
An agent in India asks for a large fee for a Gulf nursing job. Is that legal?
Be careful.
Fake agents
How should I ask a question about moving abroad in an online community?
Before you post, search for your question, because it may already have an answer.
Country
How should I use the country guides to plan my move?
Our country guides set out the steps for each route, from the regulator and English tests to the licensing exams, document checks, visa options and official fees.
Costs
Does NurseFlyAbroad cost anything, and which languages is it in?
NurseFlyAbroad is free for nurses.
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