NMC-OSCE COURSE
March 31, 2024 2024-04-17 19:43NMC-OSCE COURSE
NMC-OSCE COURSE
Why Choose TLC ACADEMY?
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) currently offers a test of competence for internationally registered nurses. A new version of the test was introduced in 2021. The test of competence assesses candidates against the current UK pre-registration standards. Nursing in the UK is made up of separate and distinct fields of practice, each requiring three years of pre- registration undergraduate education.
The distinct nursing fields of practice are:
- adult nursing
- children’s nursing
- learning disabilities nursing
- mental health nursing.
The test of competence is specific to a field of nursing practice, and it consists of two parts.
- Part 1 is a computer-based test (CBT), made up of a numeracy test and a clinical test,
which can be undertaken globally.
- Part 2 is the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), which must be undertaken
in the UK in one of the NMC-approved test centres.
This handbook provides information on how best to prepare for Part 2 of the test of competence.
General information about preparing for the OSCE is available on the NMC website and your
chosen NMC-approved test centre site. You are encouraged to read this thoroughly to plan your preparation and to maximize your chances of passing this examination.
Links to the OSCE centres’ websites can be found on the NMC website:
NMC OSCE: Test of Competence 2021 – The Nursing and Midwifery Council
How do I prepare for the OSCE?
The OSCE is designed to assess your ability to competently apply your professional skills and knowledge in the UK. For nurses, each OSCE is set at the level expected of candidates as they enter the profession (at the point of registration, not advanced skills). This means that you must show that you are capable of applying knowledge to the care of atients at the level expected of a newly registered nurse.
The examination is testing your ability to apply knowledge to the care of patients, rather than how well you can remember and recite facts. All the scenarios and any questions relate to current best practice, and you should answer them in relation to published evidence and not according to local arrangements.
Preparation materials are provided on the NMC website.
Equipment
You will be provided with all the equipment needed to complete the station successfully. Below are picture examples of some of the equipment you can expect to see in the bays you might use throughout the examination.
Please note that not all centres will have the same equipment. A full equipment list can be found on NMC website.
The OSCE is made up of 10 stations, with a total testing time of about 3 hours. For nursing, four
of the stations are scenario-based and relate to four stages of the care process.
For each station, you will be given a warning 5 minutes before the station must be completed.
Part of the OSCE is scenario-based, which includes the following:
A – Patient-centred assessment
P – Planning care
I – Implementation
E – Evaluation
Four of the remaining stations are skills stations, testing practical clinical skills. Stand- alone. stations are up to 12 minutes long.
There are also two silent stations.
In each OSCE, one station will specifically assess the professional issues associated with professional accountability and related skills around
communication.
One station will also specifically assess critical appraisal of research and evidence and associated decision-making.
The silent stations are each 10 minutes long.
The skills are based on the list provided in the candidate information booklet. Also see page 12of this document.
Sample OSCE station materials, including the forms that may be used, are included on the NMC website.
In each station, you will be given information about what is expected of you as well as information about your patient, where appropriate. Please read this information and ensure that you understand what is expected of you within the station.
Focus on the task and follow the requirements set out on the information sheet.
