The Nurses and Midwives Board will introduce the test for new nurses who have studied in Australia for less than two years, in response to concerns some have an inadequate level of English to work effectively.

Only overseas-trained nurses were tested previously.

The NSW Nurses Association sits on the board and says the test will help raise standards.

Its spokeswoman, Judith Kiejda, says while poor English is only a small problem in hospitals, a mandatory test is still a good move.

“We have very high standards of nursing in NSW,” she said.

“The board doesn’t want to see any of that at risk, [so] it’s just one more step that we’re taking to see that those standards are high.”

The NSW Opposition has welcomed the test but its health spokeswoman, Jillian Skinner, says the State Government must also ensure nurses already working in hospitals have adequate English.

“If anyone’s found deficient, obviously they need remedial work,” she said. Source