Updates to the OSCE and accompanying materials
As part of routine maintenance and to ensure the test continues to be reliable and authentic, we have made a number of changes. Following feedback, our test design and development partner have made some updates to the preparation materials to improve clarity, as well as to address some changes in clinical practice, to support those sitting the test.
|
Document |
Change |
Why we made this change |
|
Nursing Station Timings |
Fluid Balance timing increased from 12 to 14 minutes. MSU and Urinalysis timing increased from 8 to 12 minutes. |
Feedback from candidates and our test delivery partners indicated the time available for these two stations was not sufficient. |
|
OSCE Supporting Documents |
New PEWS charts added. |
A new national PEWS chart has been implemented in clinical practice. |
|
Adult, Children’s, Mental Health, and Nursing Associates Marking Criteria |
Changes to ANTT procedures.
|
ANTT technique has changed in clinical practice. |
Please note, any candidates who sit BLS, IHR and/or NPS before 9 September and fail, will resit the same station up until December 2024.
Part of this development will actively discourage rote learning so all candidates should be encouraged to review their exam papers as they may be given a different scenario to test the failed skill at their resit.
The current preparation materials are listed below under OSCE support and preparation documents across all fields of nursing and midwifery
In line with best practice, we are now moving from administering insulin via a syringe to using insulin pens in the children’s OSCE. The insulin pens the test centres are using have been included in the Equipment List. From January 2025, insulin pens will also be used in the adult nursing OSCE.
Key documents for OSCE preparation covering all fields of nursing and midwifery
OSCE
The following documents will support your preparation for the OSCE. We highly recommend you take the time to read these.
We have provided links to a number of documents that will support you in preparing for the OSCE.
As part of your learning and preparation, you should refer to the reading lists, understand and apply the NMC Code to all aspects of your practice, and access our useful documents as mock OSCE materials and station timings. By the time you sit the OSCE, you should be competent at practising at the level of a newly qualified nurse or midwife in the UK and your approach to the stations should reflect the actions you would take in a contemporary UK clinical setting.
We have also provided marking criteria for the relevant fields. Please note that this should only be used to supplement your education and learning.
If you have any questions about any of these documents, please contact the NMC Test of Competence team at toc@nmc-uk.org.
Candidate information booklets
These booklets give an overview of the CBT and OSCE, what nursing associates candidates should expect on the day and how they can prepare.
Test specification
Test specification shows how the test is designed, what it will assess and how, and how results will be produced and presented.
Test blueprint
This blueprint shows how the relevant standards of proficiency and associated skills and procedures may be tested in either the CBT, OSCE or both parts.
Webinars
On 31 January 2022, we introduced the Test of Competence for nursing associates.
We held some webinars covering different aspects of the Test of Competence providing further information and outlining the changes we made to the CBT and OSCE. You can download slides from each of the webinars here.
Nursing OSCE APIE (assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation) stations:
Nursing OSCE skills stations:
Other support materials
CBT
You can find CBT practice tests on Pearson VUE's website. They are accessible to all and do not need to be booked.
Taking these practice tests will help you check your understanding and readiness for the new CBT and learn more about the question format, style and level of difficulty.
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