The NMC OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) is an essential assessment administered by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for internationally qualified nurses who wish to register and practice as nurses in the UK. This examination evaluates candidates on their clinical skills and competencies across various nursing scenarios, ensuring they meet the standards required for safe and effective practice in the UK healthcare system.
The OSCE consists of multiple stations where candidates must demonstrate their ability to perform key nursing tasks, apply evidence-based practice, and uphold professional values in real or simulated clinical settings.
NMC OSCE 10 Stations for Adult Nursing
The 10 stations of OSCE for adult nursing are:
Station 1: Assessment Station (20-Minutes )
Station 2: Planning (14-minutes)
In the 14-minute silent written station of the OSCE, candidates are tasked with developing two nursing care plans that address the specific needs of the patient. This involves assessing priority issues based on the given scenario, reflecting skills evaluated in other OSCE stations. Each care plan must include specific, evidence-based interventions and adhere to NMC documentation standards, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and patient-centered care, which are core principles throughout the 10 OSCE stations.
Station 3: Implementation (15-minutes )
Station 4: Evaluation (8-minutes )
In the Evaluation Station, candidates engage in both written and verbal tasks for over 8 minutes. They provide a patient handover using the SBAR protocol: Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. This structured communication ensures clarity and continuity of care. Candidates must effectively summarize critical information while demonstrating their ability to communicate essential patient details, which is crucial for safe practice, reflecting the competencies evaluated across the 10 stations of the OSCE.
Station 5 & 6: Clinical skills
In the Clinical Skills station of the OSCE, candidates are assessed on their ability to correctly demonstrate two paired clinical skills from a set list provided by the test center for preparation. The time limit depends upon the skills, which varies depending on the complexity of the skill. This requires candidates to be both proficient in performing each skill accurately and effective in managing their time during the assessment.
Station 7 & 8: Clinical skills
In the Clinical Skills station of the OSCE, candidates are assessed to correctly demonstrate two paired clinical skills from a set list provided by the center for preparation, candidates need to follow proper infection control practices, including the disposal of clinical waste, to ensure compliance with safety standards during the assessment.
Station 9: Professional values (10-minutes)
Station 10: Evidence-based practice (10-Minutes)
In the Evidence-Based Practice station of the OSCE, you will have a 10-minute written silent exam in which you will study a research article, one of which will be selected for assessment. In this station, you will be presented with a scenario based on a short research abstract. Your task will be to analyze the abstract and formulate your approach, demonstrating your understanding of the research’s relevance, its implications for clinical practice, and how you would apply the findings in a patient-centered manner. This requires not only a solid grasp of the subtopics but also the ability to critically evaluate and synthesize information within the given time frame.
NMC OSCE Latest Updates August 2024
OSCE Exam Fee: £794. Reduced resit fee is £397 (if you need to resit 7 or fewer stations)
These are the 10 stations of the OSCE. By successfully completing the OSCE, candidates demonstrate their readiness to deliver high-quality patient care in accordance with UK nursing standards, thereby contributing to the safety and well-being of patients.
