Can I Listen, Read, Write and Speak English?

"Flame Tree" down the road,

Before I left the states, I tried to get the process started to get my nursing licenses in Australia. I found that I could not receive the application until I submitted test scores for an English language test! I called the New South Wales Board of Nursing and asked if this was real, as English is basically my only language and was told there were NO exceptions for immigrants. The OET is the “Occupational English Test” and the cost is over $700 Australian dollars! I applied for the test in the states and there were no openings for the test before I left, so I got a testing site in Brisbane for one month after I arrived (this was the earliest testing date available). It was an all day test and very strict. It reminded me of sitting for State Board exams. Passport photos, passport, only a #2 pencil, bottle water and pen on the desk, no purses or personal possession allowed. Well, I did not stress about the test ahead of time, but I must admit I was a bit stressed at times during the test--timed tests, and I found some of the reading comprehension a bit confusing as I did not agree with some of the multiple answers you had to choose from! I did feel a bit worried for everyone else trying to figure out which answer they were looking for as english truly was their second language! It will take 4-6 weeks to get my scores back, so I cannot move forward with work plans until I have passed (I hope I passed!), which Susan says is good, as she thinks I should take at least six months off after decades of nonstop work. OK, OK, I will give not working a try! I wonder if I will like this slower pace too much in the end??