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Preparing for the OET Speaking sub-test as a nurse can be daunting—especially if you don’t have access to a language partner or professional tutor. The test requires you to carry out two roleplay tasks, where you take the role of a nurse interacting with a patient, family member, or caregiver in a realistic clinical setting. These conversations demand not only clear English, but also empathy, structure, and medical professionalism.
But what if you could rehearse those roleplays anytime, anywhere?
Thanks to tools like ChatGPT, you can now simulate OET-style conversations on your own. Whether you’re preparing for your first OET attempt or just want to polish your speaking skills, ChatGPT can help you:
Practice a wide variety of clinical situations
Respond to unpredictable patient behavior
Get comfortable using professional, patient-friendly language
Build confidence through repeated, low-stress practice
The key is knowing how to prompt ChatGPT properly—and what kinds of scenarios to simulate.
In this article, we’ll introduce 5 realistic OET Speaking scenarios specifically for nurses, complete with:
A brief clinical context
A sample ChatGPT prompt to generate the roleplay
Example responses and follow-up tips
From dealing with an anxious parent to giving medication instructions to an elderly patient, these roleplays are designed to reflect the kinds of conversations you’ll face on test day—and in real-life healthcare settings abroad.
Let’s get started with scenario #1: A mother brings in her child with a high fever…
You are a nurse in a pediatric clinic. A mother has brought in her 2-year-old child who has had a high fever (39.5°C) for the past 24 hours. She is visibly anxious and wants to know if her child needs to be hospitalized. Your task is to reassure her, ask relevant questions, and explain basic home care instructions.
You can paste this prompt into ChatGPT and begin responding naturally, as if you are the nurse in the scenario.
“Hello, I understand you’re very concerned. Could I ask if your child has had any other symptoms, like vomiting or difficulty breathing?”
“Fever in young children is common, and while this temperature is high, it’s not always dangerous. Let me explain what you can do at home.”
“You can give paracetamol every 4–6 hours and make sure your child stays hydrated. If the fever lasts more than 48 hours or worsens, please come back immediately.”
“At this stage, hospitalization isn’t necessary, but we’ll keep monitoring closely.”
Showing empathy to an anxious parent
Gathering relevant information clearly and calmly
Giving home care advice using plain, non-technical English
Reassuring without making false promises
Structuring your explanation logically
You are a nurse on a surgical ward. A patient has just undergone abdominal surgery and is experiencing moderate pain. The patient is unsure about whether it’s okay to take the prescribed medication and how often to use it. Your task is to provide clear instructions, reassure the patient, and check for any allergies or concerns.
Paste this into ChatGPT and begin practicing your nurse responses.
“It’s normal to experience some pain after surgery. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your pain right now?”
“You’ve been prescribed paracetamol every 6 hours and ibuprofen as needed. I’ll explain how to take them safely.”
“Have you had any allergic reactions to medications in the past?”
“Managing your pain well will help your recovery. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if it gets worse.”
Using calm, supportive language
Explaining medication schedules clearly
Checking for allergies or previous medication reactions
Encouraging the patient to express concerns
Avoiding technical jargon when describing dosage and effects
You are a nurse preparing to discharge a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The patient is worried about managing their condition at home and asks what to eat, how to take medication, and what symptoms to watch for. Your role is to explain the basics of home care, medication use, and when to seek medical help.
You can use this prompt in ChatGPT and begin responding in your nurse role.
“I understand this is a lot to take in. Let me go over the key points to help you manage your condition safely at home.”
“You’ll need to take your medication once daily with meals. Do you have a reminder system that works for you?”
“Try to limit sugary foods and focus on balanced meals with whole grains and vegetables.”
“If you experience dizziness, confusion, or blurred vision, please seek medical help immediately.”
Structuring discharge instructions clearly and calmly
Using layman’s terms for medical concepts (e.g., “low blood sugar” instead of “hypoglycemia”)
Providing reassurance and practical tips
Checking the patient’s understanding with questions like “Does that make sense so far?”
Giving safety warnings in a professional, non-alarming way
You are a nurse preparing a patient for an upcoming endoscopy procedure. The patient appears anxious and is concerned about pain, risks, and what to expect. Your role is to provide reassurance, explain the procedure in simple terms, and respond empathetically to their worries.
Use this prompt to simulate the conversation with ChatGPT.
“It’s completely normal to feel a bit anxious. Let me explain what will happen and answer any questions you have.”
“You’ll be given a mild sedative, so you’ll feel relaxed and won’t remember much of the procedure.”
“The test usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. It helps the doctor check your stomach and upper digestive tract.”
“I’ll be with you the whole time. If you feel any discomfort, we’ll take care of you immediately.”
Empathetic listening: phrases like “I understand” or “It’s okay to be nervous”
Simple, calm explanations of procedures or terms
Clarifying sedation, duration, safety, and aftercare
Avoiding jargon while maintaining professionalism
Creating a sense of safety and trust
You are a nurse in a hospital ward. A patient who was prescribed antibiotics refuses to take them, saying they feel better and don’t like the side effects. Your task is to find out the reason for refusal, explain the importance of completing the course, and encourage compliance without sounding forceful.
Paste this into ChatGPT and respond naturally in your nurse role.
“I understand the side effects can be unpleasant. May I ask what symptoms you’ve noticed?”
“Even if you’re feeling better, it’s important to finish the full course. Stopping early can cause the infection to return.”
“Let’s talk about how we can manage the side effects while keeping you on track with treatment.”
“Would it help if I explain what the antibiotic is doing inside your body?”
Using open-ended questions to understand the patient’s concern
Explaining medical necessity without sounding judgmental
Reframing advice as shared decision-making
Acknowledging feelings, but gently guiding toward compliance
Pacing the conversation with calm, patient-friendly language
The OET Speaking test challenges nurses not only to demonstrate their English ability, but also to show clinical communication skills—empathy, clarity, and professionalism. For many test-takers, finding time, resources, or a speaking partner can be difficult. That’s where ChatGPT becomes an incredibly useful tool.
By practicing with realistic roleplay prompts like the ones in this article, you can:
Simulate patient interactions in a stress-free environment
Get comfortable using medical English
Build fluency and confidence through repetition
Learn how to respond naturally in common OET scenarios
Let’s recap the 5 speaking situations you practiced:
A mother brings her child with a high fever
Post-surgery pain management instructions
Discharge advice for a patient with diabetes
Reassuring a patient before a medical procedure
Handling a patient’s refusal to take medication
Each of these reflects core OET Speaking themes, and mastering them will help you feel more prepared on test day—and more confident as a future nurse in an English-speaking healthcare system.
If you want to go even further, combine your ChatGPT practice with 1-on-1 OET coaching at 3D ACADEMY in Cebu, Philippines. There, you’ll receive live feedback, targeted training, and the cultural support you need to succeed.
Remember: fluency comes with practice—and the more real it feels, the better you’ll perform.
So open ChatGPT, load a prompt, and start practicing like a nurse.