“Choose the OET Test aligned with your profession. OET prepares you for reality.”
Prince Keeven Caderma became a nurse out of a deep desire to serve humanity. Raised in the Philippines, he spent the first years of his career working in local hospitals. However, it was a conversation with his sister, also a nurse, that encouraged him to look beyond his comfort zone and apply to become a nurse in the UK.
Today, Prince works in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit at Derriford Hospital, part of the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. His journey from Antique to Plymouth wasn’t just about changing countries; it was a transformation.
“You know the word metamorphosis? Like becoming a butterfly in your profession. I thought I’d just earn more money, but I ended up gaining knowledge, skills, and a global perspective.”
Choosing OET: the career-aligned test
Before discovering OET, Prince had taken and passed IELTS while planning to work in Canada. However, when he later decided to pursue nursing in the UK, he needed to prove his English proficiency for both his visa and registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and this time, he chose a different path.
Supported by Yeovil International Recruitment, the agency that facilitated his job placement in the NHS, Prince began preparing for the next stage of his career.
“If I’m going to take an exam, I want it to be something that’s specific and close to my heart. As a nurse, I need a test that not only helps me pass but supports me in my profession.”
That’s when he turned to the OET Test, drawn to how it mirrors the real communication skills required in healthcare.
“The OET Test is the kind of test you can pass as long as you study for it. What’s different about OET is that it’s job-specific. It prepares you for the reality of working abroad.”
Unlike other tests, OET helped Prince build the skills he would need day-to-day in an English-speaking environment: from writing referrals to communicating clearly with patients and doctors.
“I still remember my writing task: a referral to a community nurse. Now, I do this often at work — not just to the community nurse, but also to other healthcare teams as needed for my patients. It was real-life preparation.”
Preparation for the test
Juggling a full-time job and an upcoming exam deadline wasn’t easy. Prince turned to Agentic, a local OET preparation centre in Iloilo, to guide his journey.
“They gave me everything I needed: coaching, materials, guidance.”
He also used online resources and studied whenever he could, even listening to audio practice tests while shopping at the market.
“It was tough, but fulfilling. I had to double-time my study because my UK employer gave me a deadline.”
Agentic, Inc. is an official OET Preparation Provider in the Philippines. Known for its strong commitment to Filipino healthcare workers, Agentic delivers focused, high-quality instruction aimed at building the communication skills essential for international success.
Starting anew in Plymouth
Upon arriving in England, Prince was welcomed by an old university classmate who worked at the same hospital. He found not only a supportive work environment but also a city that suited his pace of life.
At Derriford, he first worked in stroke and neurology before moving into the high-pressure world of cardiothoracic ICU. The NHS training process was structured and supportive.
“They taught me step by step. They don’t want you to feel overwhelmed. They guide you to grow slowly but effectively.”
OET beyond the test
The relevance of OET extended far beyond helping Prince register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). It prepared him for the realities of healthcare in the UK.
“We use our skills to write referrals: to doctors, physiotherapists, and the community. OET prepared me for that.”
The confidence he gained from OET also helped him pass the OSCE, one of the most challenging exams of his life.
“OET helped me be confident. That confidence carried over to my OSCE.”
Preparing for and taking the OET Test gives candidates a feel for some OSCE stations. The OET Speaking sub-test mirrors real-life scenarios, helping build essential habits like asking for a patient’s preferred name or addressing them appropriately.
The NHS experience
While nursing in the UK comes with its pressures, Prince sees the NHS as a place of opportunity and balance.
He also empasised the work-life balance. He now works 13 days a month, compared to 21 in the Philippines, giving him more time to rest and recharge.
Beyond the clinical skills, Prince says working in the UK opened his eyes to something even deeper.
“It challenged me to care for patients from different nationalities and religions. But it helped me understand their culture, respect it, and give the care they needed. No matter what country you are from, or what religion you believe in — people need a very compassionate nurse to get better again.”
He also highlights the strong systems of support within the NHS.
“Aside from everything being provided, we are protected by unions and by supportive managers.”
This, he says, is what makes the journey worthwhile.
“It’s rewarding. It’s fulfilling. And I feel so happy and blessed to be where I am now.”
Advice to aspiring nurses
For Filipino nurses considering the same path, Prince offers heartfelt advice:
“Choose the OET Test aligned with your profession. OET prepares you for reality.”
He reflects on how essential the test was in navigating the challenges of moving abroad:
“Being outside the country is very challenging. You need to have the fundamentals. My OET Test is one of my fundamentals. That’s why I’m still here, doing what I love.”
Interested in following Prince’s footsteps?
The OET Test is the only English language test designed for healthcare professionals. Start your journey today.
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