Overseas nurses and midwives must still obtain an overall band score of 7.0 in the IELTS Academic exam. This serves as a guarantee that they can communicate well with patients in the UK.
The new policy indicates that non-EU trained applicants may submit two IELTS certificates to meet the required band score of 7.0. For example, an applicant took the exam in 2015. He/She took the exam again after six months. Provided that he/she did not receive a score below 6.5 in any of the subtests and in any of the test sittings, then he/she may use the results to meet the established score.
The policy change is implemented in response to several petitions to lower the required IELTS band score for nurses and midwives. Change.org states that 7.0 is difficult to attain in a single take. In addition, the British Malayi reiterates that requiring overseas nurses to take an IELTS exam seems unfair as there are nurses in several EU countries, which are non-English speakers, that are allowed to work in the UK without taking the IELTS exam.
Here is a more detailed scenario on how NMC UK assesses an applicant’s IELTS scores.
FIRST TAKE
An applicant took an IELTS exam in January. He obtained an overall score of 7.0. In particular, he achieved 7.0 in reading, 7.5 in listening, 7.5 in writing but failed to obtain the standard score by getting 6.0 in speaking. (The lowest score in any subtest must be 6.5.) The new policy allows him to take another test to compensate for the 6.0 that he received in the speaking test. However, he must take the second test within two years, as IELTS scores are valid for two years.
SECOND TAKE
The table below indicates that the applicant is qualified since he did not receive a score below 6.5.
This new policy increases the chances of overseas nurses and midwives to pass the IELTS by allowing them to take the test twice. If you are a Filipino nurse planning to work in the UK, there are numerous IELTS review (Philippines) centers that can help you accomplish IELTS requirements. There are IELTS review centers in Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Manila.
References:
British Malayali. "Lower the IELTS Grade Requirement for NMC Registration." GoPetition. December 16, 2009. Accessed November 18, 2016. https://www.gopetition.com/petition/32898.
“NMC updates guidance on language tests.” NHS Employers. June 28, 2016. Accessed November 18, 2016. http://www.nhsemployers.org/news/2016/06/nmc-updates-guidance-on-language-tests
"The IELTS Scores We Require from Nurses and Midwives Trained outside EU/EEA." Nursing & Midwifery Council. Accessed November 18, 2016. https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/trained-outside-the-eueea/ielts/.
"Registering as a Nurse or Midwife in the UK from outside the EU and EEA." Nursing & Midwifery Council. Accessed November 18, 2016. https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/siteDocuments/Registration/Registering-as-a-nurse-or-midwife-from-outside-EU-or-EEA.pdf.
Cyriac, Febin. “IELTS Clubbing Approved for UK Nursing Registration.” change.org. June 28, 2016. Accessed November 18, 2016. https://www.change.org/p/we-want-the-nmc-to-kindly-consider-reducing-the-ielts-score-required-for-overseas-nurses-to-get-the-nmc-registration-in-uk/u/17096885
British Malayali. "Lower the IELTS Grade Requirement for NMC Registration." GoPetition. December 16, 2009. Accessed November 18, 2016. https://www.gopetition.com/petition/32898.
“NMC updates guidance on language tests.” NHS Employers. June 28, 2016. Accessed November 18, 2016. http://www.nhsemployers.org/news/2016/06/nmc-updates-guidance-on-language-tests
"The IELTS Scores We Require from Nurses and Midwives Trained outside EU/EEA." Nursing & Midwifery Council. Accessed November 18, 2016. https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/trained-outside-the-eueea/ielts/.
"Registering as a Nurse or Midwife in the UK from outside the EU and EEA." Nursing & Midwifery Council. Accessed November 18, 2016. https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/siteDocuments/Registration/Registering-as-a-nurse-or-midwife-from-outside-EU-or-EEA.pdf.
Cyriac, Febin. “IELTS Clubbing Approved for UK Nursing Registration.” change.org. June 28, 2016. Accessed November 18, 2016. https://www.change.org/p/we-want-the-nmc-to-kindly-consider-reducing-the-ielts-score-required-for-overseas-nurses-to-get-the-nmc-registration-in-uk/u/17096885
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