The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Test is probably one of the most challenging elements of the nurse relocation process. For those unfamiliar, it is a ten-station face-to-face clinical examination that takes place in one of 6 test centres around the country: Ulster, Swindon, Oxford, Northampton, Leeds or Northumbria. Candidates are “presented”  with various clinical scenarios and asked to respond as they would do in practice.

 

The OSCE test is intended to test entry-level skills and much of it is reflective of practices our international nurses will already be very familiar with – for example removing a catheter or administering a subcutaneous injection.

 

However the challenge is very much in the exam technique because candidates are expected to execute the stations in accordance with the “NMC” way – for example, ensuring they call the patient by their preferred name; conducting a 3-way ID check; verbalising aloud that they have ensured the patient has privacy; verbalising their hand hygiene steps in accordance with WHO guidelines. 

 

Candidates must receive effective training if they are to be able to successfully pass this station. Experienced international recruitment organisations will often have their OSCE training in-house but for smaller organisations, there are a number of OSCE training providers who can provide this face-to-face training on your behalf.

 

In order to prepare candidates for this test, there are some excellent online OSCE training programmes available that can introduce candidates to the theory behind the OSCE prior to arrival in the UK, thus accelerating their progress when they are deployed.

 

The OSCE test has come under a lot of scrutiny in recent years for being so expensive, for having so many fails, for adding content so often that employers find it challenging to keep up with the new content. However the NMC maintain they are ensuring that the exam can’t be too “pre-rehearsed” and they are ensuring our international nurses are fit for practice.

My Healthcare Recruit supports UK healthcare employers in the public, private, and care sector to find international nurses who are a great fit for their organization, by using market-leading video interviewing tools to connect them to our database of qualified candidates. Our innovative approach makes international candidates easier to find and more cost-effective to source than ever before. Find out more at www.myhealthcarerecruit.com.