University delivers English language training to nurses

The University of Leicester’s Centre for International Training and Education (CITE) has been working with University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) to deliver English language training for a small group of its overseas trained nurses. 

So far 48 nurses have been trained by the University’s English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU), who have provided weekly classes for nurses to help prepare them for the Occupational English Test (OET). The team are planning to run a fifth session in January 2022, which will support an additional twelve nurses. 

Nurses coming from overseas to work for the National Health Service are required to pass the Test before they can register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The programme draws on the expertise of ELTU in providing English classes for those in the medical profession, having previously also worked with Kettering General Hospital and having delivered short courses for the past 16 years. 

In addition, the ELTU delivers online OET classes for doctors across the country.  

Phil Horspool, Director of the University of Leicester’s Centre for International Training and Education, said: “We are delighted to work with UHL to help provide nurses with this valuable training. Feedback has been very positive - we look forward to training more cohorts in 2022 and help nurses progress their careers in the NHS.  

Michele Pateman, Education and Practice Development Sister at University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL), added: “Offering this support through CITE to these individuals allows them to achieve their personal ambitions.

“These valued staff members will continue to make a huge contribution to patient care across our hospitals as they move into our registered nursing workforce.”