Outcome Based Assessment(OBA) is the new pathway to attaining nursing registration for overseas registered nurses in Australia. The RN OSCE is the practical examination for internationally qualified registered nurses seeking registration in Australia as a registered nurse (RN). Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) conducted by AHPRA is more or less similar to a regulatory OSCE rather than an educational OSCE and is conducted in a way that is consistent for all candidates. Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is the second stage of the OBA assessment pathway after completing your Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) or NCLEX-RN stage. Only after you pass your OSCE will you be able to apply for your nursing registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
An objective structured clinical exam, OSCE is a behavioural assessment to evaluate whether Internationally qualified nurses and midwives (IQNM)’s knowledge, skills and competence match that of an Australian nurse or midwife. Only those candidates who have passed the NCLEX-RN MCQ Examination can undertake the OSCE. They are invited to submit the payment and register for the OSCE via their dashboard. The OSCE registration fee is AUD 4,000 for each examination sitting and is paid to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
The RN OSCE consists of 10 exam stations or clinical scenarios for students to complete, with 10 minutes allocated for each scenario (2 minutes of reading time and 8 minutes of performance time). With 10 minutes allocated for each exam station, candidates can complete the OSCE in 3 – 3.5 hours. The test is delivered at Adelaide Health Simulation (AHS) in Adelaide, South Australia. Each RN OSCE station will assess and determine a candidate’s ability to perform a specific clinical skill, and moreover it will also assess the ability of a candidate to manage the care of a patient in a holistic manner. The care that is provided within
each station should take into consideration the individual situation for that patient and that the care provided is tailored to their individual needs.
The RN OSCE assesses a candidate’s patient care management and specific clinical skill performance abilities. In addition, the candidates are tested on both their practical skills and communication skills.
Some of the assessed practical skills include:
- Drug dosage calculation
- Safe sharps disposal
- Medication administration
- Wound care
- Infection control practices
- Patient identification
- In-hospital resuscitation
Communicating effectively with patients is crucial to ensure the right diagnosis and formulate correct treatment plans. As such, it is imperative to test the communication skills of each aspiring nursing candidate. By observing the interaction between the candidate and the simulated patient, the OSCE examiner assesses the candidates’ verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills such as:
- Clear explanation of care, diagnosis, investigations and/or treatments
- Encourage patient involvement in decision-making
- Communication with relatives and other health care professionals
- Obtain informed consent
- Active listening
- Providing clear discharge instructions
- Clear documentation
The OSCE results are published within 8 weeks from the examination date. Upon reviving the successful test results, the candidates are able to apply for the Australian Nursing Registration with AHPRA and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
How difficult is OSCE, and how can I prepare for the test?
Depending on how well you have prepared for your OSCE, the test is not very difficult to pass. Proper guidance, ample resources, and dedication is the perfect blend of smart preparation for the test, and you can find this recipe with Nurse Assist International. Our experienced teachers will help you build your confidence critical thinking to ace the examination through our extensively designed OBA preparatory course.
Preparation is the key, and our team is here to help you prepare to the best of your abilities for the test. Just leave us a message if you want to learn more about our OSCE and OBA preparatory courses.