NMC OSCE New Updates Effective from 30th September

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) OSCE has undergone significant updates as part of its ongoing commitment to ensure the exam remains relevant, reliable, and reflective of current clinical practices. These changes, effective from Monday, 30th September 2024, are aimed at enhancing the overall candidate experience while aligning the test with contemporary nursing procedures. If you’re preparing for the exam, here’s what you need to know about the new updates.

Nursing Station Timings Extended

Changes:

Fluid Balance station timing has been extended from 12 to 14 minutes.
MSU (Midstream Specimen of Urine) and Urinalysis timing has been increased from 8 to 12 minutes.

Why this change? Based on feedback from candidates and test delivery partners, the time allotted for these stations was not sufficient to allow candidates to demonstrate their skills effectively. Extending these timings ensures candidates have enough time to complete their tasks without undue pressure, leading to a fairer assessment process.

New PEWS Charts Introduced

Changes:

New PEWS (Paediatric Early Warning Score) charts have been added to the exam preparation materials.

Why this change? The PEWS chart is a key tool used to monitor and assess children’s health in clinical settings. Recently, a new national PEWS chart was introduced into clinical practice, and the NMC has updated the OSCE to reflect this change. This update ensures that candidates are tested using the same tools they will encounter in real-world practice.

ANTT (Aseptic Non-Touch Technique) Procedure Updates

Changes:

The use of gloves and aprons has been reduced to only the stations where their use is clinically relevant.
In the ANTT station, candidates will no longer be asked to follow the “Clean hand – dirty hand” approach.

Why this change? The ANTT technique has evolved in clinical practice, and the OSCE is now aligned with the updated standards. By focusing on real-world clinical scenarios, the test reduces unnecessary steps, allowing candidates to demonstrate practical, up-to-date nursing skills.

Marking Criteria Across Nursing Fields

This update applies to all branches of nursing: Adult, Children’s, Mental Health, and Nursing Associates. With the changes in ANTT procedures and marking criteria, candidates are encouraged to practice the revised techniques to ensure a smooth transition to the new exam format.

What Does This Mean for Candidates?

If you are scheduled to take the OSCE on or after 30th September 2024, it’s essential to prepare using the updated preparation materials. These materials will reflect the new timings, charts, and procedural changes, ensuring you are fully equipped for the exam.

For those taking the exam before this date, you should continue preparing with the existing materials, as the changes will not yet apply to your exam.

Discouraging Rote Learning: A Focus on Practical Skills

As part of these updates, the NMC is also emphasising the need for candidates to move away from rote learning. Rote learning is the process of memorising information based on repetition. Instead, candidates should focus on understanding clinical procedures and preparing for varied scenarios, as they may encounter different situations during their resit if they need to demonstrate a failed skill.

Final Thoughts

These changes reflect the NMC's ongoing efforts to ensure the OSCE remains a robust and fair examination for aspiring nurses. By incorporating real-world practices and extending station times, candidates will have a more balanced and practical testing experience. Be sure to review the updated materials, focus on applying clinical skills, and prepare for different scenarios to succeed in your OSCE.

Any candidates who sit BLS, IHR and/or NPS before 9 September and fail, will resit the same station up until December 2024.

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Reference Link: https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/toc/na-toc/preparation-materials/