Date: 23-10-2020

There are some practical examinations that a health care professional need to undertake and often times you become nervous because you are overthinking what the exam is all about and you have an examiner watching your every move. However, you have to do it the best you can because it is one of the assessments that you have to undergo in order to get your Pin.

1. Know What kind of OSCE You Are Expecting to Perform

It is important that you the know kind of OSCE you are expecting to perform because OSCE’s can come in many different forms. Make sure that you know the type of OSCE you need to perform. Taking OSCE examinations, it is always specific and relevant to your field of practice.

2. Construct Your Introduction

 No advanced nursing skills are required to pass the OSCE. If you know the basic skills of nursing or midwifery care, the scenario you are given will not matter. Memorize your opening patter and make sure that it is clear and understandable.

1. Greeting the patient
2. Introduce yourself to the patient
3. Checking their identity
4. Explain why you are there and what skill are you going to perform
5. You have to gain consent. Once the patient agreed, wash your hands.

3. Understand the Logic behind Every Task That You Perform in OSCE

Read the instructions carefully before you enter the station. OSCE is not meant to be undertaken in silence, Examiners need to tell the examiner what you are going to do and why you are doing it so you have to talk to the examiner and tell what you are doing.  Often times when you are silent the examiner will start to ask questions that makes you a little bit nervous and uneasy because you may think that you are doing something wrong.

4. Clothes Matter

Make sure that you dress professionally and accordingly to NHS dress code. Looking neat might not give you an extra point, but it helps you make a good impression. Remember this is a formal assessment and you are presenting yourself to the examiner as if you are in front of a patient.

5. Remember, “Right Practice Make Perfect”

Grab a friend and practice regularly until your examinations are fluent and confident. Nervousness during the examination will affect your performance so it is better that you are over prepared than under. Remember to practice with a timer as the minutes fly by in the real thing.  Don’t forget to begin and end a station with washing your hands! It is not only a good clinical practice, thus it gives you vital and easy marks.

6. Nervous? Fake It Until you Make It!

If you are not feeling very confident during your OSCE examination, pretend that you are! Stand up straight, always wear your best smile when appropriate and speak loudly and clearly. Being too apprehensive can give the impression that you do not really know what you are doing and that will make the patient nervous as well.

7. Manners  Are Priceless

Always be polite, understanding and honest with your patient. Listen to them very carefully and let them speak. Thank them and the examiner at the end of the station, after all they have given their free time to help you. Demonstrating these generic communication skills can give you a significant award so do not neglect them!

8. Keep Calm and Persevere

Do not worry about making mistake during the OSCE, do not allow panic to ruin everything. Stay calm, take a deep breath and continue as you were.

Once you finish your examination you have some spare time; do not let this go to waste. If you remember something you’ve missed, feel free to go back and do it. However, you should write down those errors and review them and make sure that you do not make the same mistake again. One said that “You learn from your own mistake”.

GOOD LUCK!