The Occupational English Test (OET) is a profession-specific English proficiency exam designed for healthcare professionals aiming to work or study in English-speaking countries. Unlike general tests such as IELTS, OET tailors tasks to 12 healthcare professions, including Nursing and Medicine, making it highly relevant for clinical communication.

Among its four sub-tests, the Writing sub-test is crucial because it evaluates a candidate’s ability to create clear, accurate, professional clinical letters mirroring real-world tasks like referrals and discharge summaries.

As of September 30, 2025, OET continues to be accepted for professional registration and migration in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the U.S., Canada, and more. With over 100,000 candidates annually, understanding the differences between OET Writing for Nursing vs. Medicine is essential for scoring well.

This guide compares both versions in depth, includes tables, bullet points, examples, 2025 updates, and preparation strategies.
For targeted practice, platforms like oetpro.com offer profession-specific mock tests and expert feedback.

 

1. Overview of the OET Writing Sub-Test

The OET Writing task:

• Lasts 45 minutes

• Contains a single letter-writing task

• Provides case notes (150–200 words)

• Requires writing a 180–200-word professional letter

• Begins with 5 minutes of reading-only time

Core Assessment Criteria (2025 Weightage)

Grades range from A (highest) to E, with B (350–400) usually required for registration.

General Structure of All OET Letters

• Header & Salutation (e.g., Dear Dr. Smith)

• Introduction: State purpose clearly

• Body Paragraphs: Organize case notes logically

• Conclusion: Recommendations / next steps

• Sign-Off: Yours sincerely, [Your Name]

Key Skill: Selecting relevant information from case notes while excluding unnecessary details.

2. OET Writing for Medicine (Doctors)

Medical tasks prioritize diagnostic reasoning, clinical summaries, and inter-colleague communication. Doctors typically write to another healthcare professional.

Primary Task Type: Referral Letter (about 95% of Medicine tasks)

Purpose

To transfer patient care or seek specialist evaluation.

Audience

Another doctor—e.g., cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist.

Key Features

• Objective and formal tone

• Diagnostic summaries

• Relevant investigations (ECG, labs, imaging)

• Reason for referral

• Urgency and next steps

Subtypes of Medicine Referral Letters

1. Specialist Referral

Used for complex or unexplained findings.

Example:
A patient with unresolved chest pain ? referred for urgent cardiology review.

Includes:

• Symptoms + duration

• Risk factors

• Investigation results

• Differential diagnosis

• Explicit urgency

2. Inter-Departmental Referral

Within a hospital setting (e.g., ER ? Internal Medicine).

Focus:

• Immediate stabilization

• Monitoring

• Next clinical steps

3. Follow-up Referral

For chronic conditions needing long-term specialist care.

Examples:

• Diabetes ? Endocrinology

• COPD ? Respiratory clinic

4. Advice/Information Letters (less common)

To allied professionals such as occupational therapists or social workers.

Typical Structure for a Medicine Referral Letter

• 40–50% ? Clinical history & investigations

• 30% ? Rationale for referral

• 20% ? Recommendations

3. OET Writing for Nursing (RNs & ENs)

Nursing tasks are patient-centered, emphasizing care coordination, functional assessments, and holistic health.

Nurses write Referral letters and Discharge letters, often equally.

Primary Nursing Task Types

1. Referral Letter

Usually addressed to:

• Community nurse

• GP

• Physiotherapist

• Dietitian

• Social worker

• Mental health team

Subtypes of Nursing Referral Letters

1. Community Care Referral

For post-operative or wound management support.

Key Points to Include:

• Mobility limitations

• Dressing change requirements

• Pain score

• Follow-up needs

2. Multidisciplinary Team Referral

For rehab or chronic disease support.

Examples:

• Physiotherapy for fall-risk patients

• Dietetics for obesity or malnutrition

3. Social Services Referral

For vulnerable patients.

Includes:

• Living situation

• Social isolation

• Support needs

2. Discharge Letter (about 40% of Nursing tasks)

Subtypes of Nursing Discharge Letters

A. Standard Discharge Summary

To GPs or community nurses.

Contents:

• Admission reason

• Treatment completed

• Medications

• Recovery status

• Follow-up plan

B. Patient/Family Instruction Letter

Uses simple, non-technical language.

Often written with:

• Bullet points

• Clear monitoring instructions

• Diet/medication reminders

C. Inter-Agency Transfer Letter

For aged-care facilities or home-nursing services.

Tone and Style for Nursing Letters

• Empathetic

• Patient-centered

• Action-oriented

• Clear and culturally sensitive

4. Key Differences Between OET Writing for Medicine vs Nursing

Comparison Table

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5. 2025 OET Writing Updates (Latest Changes)

? New Overall Score System (introduced Jan 29, 2025)

Candidates now receive:

• A letter grade (A–E)

• An overall OET score (0–10)

Example:
A B in Writing = approx 7.0–8.0 equivalent for global regulators.

? Regulatory Updates (2025)

United Kingdom – NMC

• Accepts C+ in Writing (300–340) if other sub-tests are B+.

• Nursing applicants benefit most.

Australia – AHPRA

• Also accepts C+ in Writing, reflecting real-world nursing priorities.

United States (NEW expansions in 2025)

• OET accepted for both doctors and nurses in major states.

• Increasing adoption for licensing pathways.

? Updated Case Notes

• More telehealth cases (for Medicine)

• More culturally sensitive discharge scenarios (for Nursing)

• Increased emphasis on present perfect tense
  (e.g., “has been experiencing pain…”)

6. Preparation Strategies for 2025

For Medicine Candidates

• Practice synthesizing diagnostic data quickly.

• Write 5 referral letters weekly, varying specialties.

• Master tenses:

  • Past ? patient history

  • Present ? examination findings

  • Future ? recommendations

• Use clinical vocabulary accurately.

• Avoid irrelevant differential diagnoses.

For Nursing Candidates

• Practice writing referral and discharge letters alternately.

• Add empathetic connectors:

  • “To support her recovery…”

  • “To ensure safe home management…”

• Convert case-note bullet points into clear paragraphs.

• Use bullet lists appropriately in patient-friendly letters.

• Role-play audience expectations (e.g., family member vs GP).

Common Pitfalls in Both Disciplines

• Failing to state purpose clearly in the introduction

• Word count below target (under 170 words risks penalty)

• Overuse of jargon

• Ignoring irrelevant case notes

• Weak paragraphing

7. Final Thoughts

The OET Writing sub-test for Nursing and Medicine follows the same structure but differs greatly in aims, audience, and style.

• Medicine demands concise clinical reasoning and diagnostic clarity.

• Nursing blends clinical detail with practical, holistic care planning.

With the 2025 scoring updates and increased global recognition, mastering these differences is more crucial than ever. Through structured practice, analysing sample tasks, and using profession-specific tools at oetpro.com, candidates can significantly improve their writing performance.

OET success not only boosts migration prospects but strengthens your professional communication—an essential skill in global healthcare.