The OSCE Exam is for nurses and midwives who want to register and work in the UK. It is the trickiest part NMC registration for most of the Overseas Nurses because they find it difficult at times that is why you need to know some important information about OSCE.

What is OSCE Exam?

The OSCE stands for Objective Standard Clinical Examination, it is designed to assess your ability to competently apply your professional nursing and midwifery skills and knowledge in the UK. This means that you must show that you are capable of applying knowledge to the care of patients at the level expected of a newly registered nurse of midwife.

What is involved in the OSCE?

OSCE is made up of six separate stations using simulated patient in a clinical setting with a duration between 10-18 minutes. Four stations are designed to test candidate’s knowledge and understanding or the clinical-scenario based which is related to four stages of Nursing and Midwifery care process:  Assessment, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation of care.  The two remaining stations test practical clinical skills.  There are typical skills which you can be tested on, within a nursing scenario include but not limited to:

• Vital Signs
• Calculating Drug Dosages
• Basic Life Support (Adult, Child and Baby)
• Intramuscular Injection
• Subcutaneous Injection
• Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
• Wound Care
• Safe Disposal of Sharps
• Removal of Urinary Catheter
• Medication Administrations
• Hand Hygiene
• Palpitation (Midwifery)
• New Born Check (Midwifery)

Will my communication skills be tested?

 YES, it is important to be tested, your communication skills because it is the heart of nursing and midwifery practice.  Your communication skills will be assessed (verbal, non-verbal and written) by observing the interaction between you and the simulated patient (this maybe an actor or a nursing manikin) and you will be assessed for your documentation in each station.

You will be marked for the following such as:

• Clearly explaining care, diagnosis, investigations and or treatments
• Involving the patient in decision-making
• Communicating with relatives and health care professionals and obtaining informed consent
• Active listening
• Dealing appropriately with an anxious, upset, worried patient or relative
• Giving clear instructions on discharge
• Giving advice on lifestyle, health promotion or risk factors
• Demonstrating compassion and care during communication
• Clear documentation which meets current NMC guidelines
• Professional behavior

Why do you need to take OSCE?

The OSCE is designed to assess whether you can demonstrate competency and confidently apply your professional knowledge and skills to the clinical environment safely and effectively in the UK.

How much is the OSCE Exam?

The full cost of practical examination (OSCE) is reduced to £794 from £992 in April 2019.

The resit cost will be £397 from £496.

Where can I take the OSCE Exam?

There are three universities which have approved OSCE test centers and a total of four locations where you can sit the OSCE. Each university offers the OSCE different field of nursing and midwifery.

• Oxford Brooke University (Oxford Campus)

• Oxford Brooke University (Swindon Campus)

• University of Northampton

• Ulster University (Northern Ireland)

How many times can I take the OSCE?

You can take a maximum of three OSCE attempts as part of your NMC application. The NMC requires a minimum 10 working days between the initial attempt and the resit, meaning you have to wait for at least 10 days before you can take your second OSCE attempt. If you are unsuccessful in the second sitting, you are required to wait for 10 working days for the third time.

However, if you are able to pass the third attempt, your NMC application will be closed and you need to submit a new application to the NMC but you are not allowed to sit the OSCE exam again for a minimum of six months.

What to expect on the test day?

Dress Code

Make sure that you dress professionally and accordingly to NHS dress code. Remember this is a formal assessment and you are presenting yourself to the examiner as if you are in front of a patient.

Verification Identity

You need to present a valid passport that is similar to the one you use in your NMC application so that the test centre may verify your identity.

Taking the Exam

 Before the OSCE exam starts, you will have an examination briefing wherein you will be able to see exactly what is required of you at each station. All documentation you need will also be available for you. There will be 10-17 minutes allotted time for each station, and staff will be there to help you move from one station to another.

When you will receive your OSCE result?

The result of your NMC OSCE Test will be emailed to you within 5 working days. If you pass the OSCE Test you will be sent a detailed email with what to do next to receive your NMC PIN NUMBER.

In case you do not pass the OSCE Exam, you will receive an email with feedback on which station you are unsuccessful. This information will help you prepare for the resit attempt as your resit for the station that you did not pass you only need to take.

Common Mistakes to avoid during the OSCE Exam

We wish to provide you with some of the common mistakes that a candidate forget or miss during the OSCE Exam, so that it can be avoided and some of these are the following:

• Lack of Communication (verbal, non-verbal)
• Not reading the scenarios or instructions accurately
• Not completing the paperwork or assessment requested within the minutes
• Touching the patient before conducting hand hygiene techniques
• Not checking for allergies
• Not checking patient identity
• Not gaining consent from patient
• Not ensuring patient safety
• Not completing the station within the timeframe

Get ready and be prepared for your OSCE Exam!

“Goodluck!”

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