Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a specialized assessment designed to evaluate the clinical skills and professional competencies of future healthcare professionals. OSCEs are an effective method for assessing competence at both pre-registration and postgraduate levels within the nursing field, particularly for those pursuing AU-RN status.

Thorough preparation for the OSCE is essential for both assessors and candidates. When utilized effectively, OSCEs can significantly enhance students’ confidence in applying their clinical skills in practice, ultimately supporting their journey toward AU-RN nursing registration.

The evaluation of knowledge and skills plays a crucial role in the progression of nursing students through pre-registration programs, as they must demonstrate both competency and confidence in their clinical abilities to achieve AU-RN certification.

Nurse Assist International (NAI) is recognized as the best OSCE training center, dedicated to providing tailored preparation classes that ensure candidates are fully equipped for the OSCE. Our structured study plans enable students to focus on their learning and collaborate effectively with educators, leading to successful outcomes in the examination and ultimately facilitating their path to AU-RN registration.

Our extensively designed OSCE preparation classes will help you build confidence and enhance your critical thinking skills, ensuring you excel in the examination and obtain your AU-RN status.

Skills Evaluated in the OSCE

The OSCE RN evaluates a candidate’s practical skills in specific clinical scenarios. Candidates may encounter various practical skills during the OSCE exam, including:

• Hand hygiene
• Drug calculation
• Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT)
• Medication administration
• Patient identification
• Intravenous therapy

These essential skills, along with many others, are best learned at Nurse Assist International. Our educators are experts in the field and stay updated with the latest guidelines from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), ensuring you are well-prepared for your AU-RN journey.

Communication in the OSCE

Effective communication with clients is also vital for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. During the OSCE, assessors observe interactions between simulated clients and candidates, evaluating verbal, non-verbal, and written communication techniques such as:

• Clear explanations of care, diagnoses, investigations, and treatments
• Encouraging patient involvement in decision-making
• Communication with relatives and other healthcare professionals
• Active listening
• Providing clear instructions
• Accurate documentation

Upon successful completion of the OSCE, candidates can proceed to apply for Australian Nursing Registration with AHPRA and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), paving the way for their AU-RN credential.

How to Prepare for the OSCE

Nurse Assist International is committed to helping you excel in the OSCE RN. We provide effective preparation through expert guidance and abundant resources for review. Our experienced educators will assist you in building confidence and critical thinking skills through our comprehensive OBA preparatory courses. We encourage you to dedicate time and effort to working with us to achieve success and secure your AU-RN designation.

Importance of OSCE Training

While clinical placements are valuable, the increasing number of nursing students has led to heightened competition among educational providers for placement opportunities. Some institutions have been reported to overlook essential nursing skills relevant to effective learning, and the limited time spent in clinical placements often fails to provide adequate benefits. Additionally, students have noted insufficient supervision, hindering the acquisition of crucial clinical skills necessary for AU-RN success.

At Nurse Assist International, we believe that nursing skills are best developed in a safe and supportive learning environment. Our simulation training provides students with the opportunity to practice nursing skills that are likely to be tested in the OSCE—skills that may not be effectively learned during clinical placements.

Our expert nurse educators ensure that students are trained to perform these skills with the correct techniques, attitudes, and approaches expected of registered nurses. Candidates can practice these skills repeatedly in a secure environment through simulation, applying nursing knowledge based on Australian standards of care. By the end of our program, candidates will gain greater confidence in their clinical skills and be fully prepared to take the OSCE, facilitating their pathway to AU-RN registration.

Features of OSCE Training with Nurse Assist International

• Unlimited face-to-face OSCE sessions and an in-depth two-week online course.
• Access to state-of-the-art labs for practice following face-to-face sessions, as hands-on experience is critical for passing the OSCE and achieving AU-RN status.
• Mock OSCE assessments following in-person training.
• Holistic enhancement of students' communication skills, training them in all competencies dictated by AHPRA.
• Face-to-face training conducted in state-of-the-art facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
• Exclusively designed OSCE-RN handbook and practice articles.
• A learning portal featuring procedures and cheat sheets.
• Competency and readiness skills exams to assess your competencies.
• Accommodation and visa services for international students.
• Assistance with nursing registration in Australia, ensuring a smooth transition to AU-RN.

Early and strategic preparation is key to successfully passing the OSCE. Contact us to learn more about our OBA preparatory courses and how we can help you achieve your AU-RN goals.

AHPRA OSCE Candidate Handbook

For more information on OSCE and the related processes, please download the AHPRA OSCE Handbook below. It gives an in-depth overview of the assessment criteria and the assessment process.