| NEWS ARCHIVES |
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| Foreign nurses speak good English |
| 12 Mar 2010 |
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The Health Ministry says the screening of foreign nurses for their English language proficiency has so far been effective.
It was responding to a question in parliament today by MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC Lee Bee Wah.
She wanted to know the level of English language proficiency of foreign nurses and whether they have to undergo tests.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Hawazi Daipi indicated that both the prospective employers and the Singapore Nursing Board require foreign nurses to have English language proficiency.
"First, interviews are conducted by the prospective employers in English to assess their oral English proficiency. Next, the applicants are required to take the SNB's licensure test in English, the test seeks to evaluate the applicants’general nursing knowledge and communication skills."
Mr Hawazi added that once the foreign nurses start their employment, they are closely supervised during their probation.
Employers will only confirm their employment, if they have the required competencies, which include English language competency and communication.
The Ministry also aims to take in some 2000 foreign nursing students this year.
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