NMC Adult OSCE Organisation

All nurses (UK or internationally educated) are welcome to join our Adult OSCE training and support programme. If you have groups wishing to train together, we can facilitate this and offer competitive, discounted group rates.

Edited to add more to this paragraph (15/06/24)

We will help you plan and provide end to end support for OSCE, with no hidden or additional charges.

We are happy to advise a proactive, time efficient and cost-effective plan for OSCE training and preparation, based our extensive experience and of course, your organisational priorities and requirements.

Exam Date Reservation-Ulster Competence Test Centre (Ulster CTC)

We have a well-established relationship with Ulster Competence Test Centre (CTC), who always offer a warm welcome and pastoral support to ease exam day nerves. We reserve OSCE dates with Ulster CTC to coincide with our group training dates (timing is important!)

OSCE booking fee can be included as part of the OSCE preparation and support package cost or paid for separately.

Exam cost-OSCE first sitting costs £794, with partial re sits £397.

Please note that we do not have any control over the cost of the exam (this is determined by NMC) or availability of additional dates (depends on various factors and is CTC dependent). Please see here for further information surrounding OSCE and costs.

Own OSCE date? No problem! We’ll offer the closest training dates to maximise chances of 1^st time success.

Is your team member ready for OSCE?

(Edited 15/06/24)

Our OSCE training and support programmes are open to all nurses, both Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) and UK educated (Return to Practice/RTP). However, before booking, we will assess your team member’s readiness for OSCE training, the exam itself and discuss options. Our observations and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) data have demonstrated that sitting OSCE without adequate preparation can negatively impact nurse confidence and increases the chances of resit.

Why will we assess first?

We do this because each nurse will have their own unique circumstances, background and experience. Some may not have worked in a clinical ‘hands on’ nursing role recently or may have gained experience in a more specialised or leadership role, with less ‘hands on’.

An OSCE pass is still highly achievable under these circumstances, however, lack of recent nursing experience (skills etc) must be considered objectively, as it can increase the time and preparation required for OSCE and UK nursing practice.

What if they’re not quite ready?

If we do not feel that a nurse is ready, we will communicate this clearly, constructively and sensitively. We won’t leave you or them high and dry; we will discuss and offer a suitable plan, so that you have the information to guide and make decisions from a well-informed perspective.

Why does it matter?

OSCE is second nature to us; we understand the process and have OSCE education experience ranging from 2019 onwards. We have witnessed first-hand, the impact of the extensive changes in the exam and fully understand the level of commitment now required for OSCE success.

We want each nurse to feel individually supported through the OSCE process and maximise their chances of first-time success. We have worked with a large variety of nurses, from a wide range of organisations and circumstances. We remain committed to maintaining that 100% of all nurses completing our entire programme will continue to achieve an OSCE pass notification. We are extremely proud of our learner’s 100% OSCE success rate and acknowledge that each nurse’s success is entirely their own and requires commitment, hard work and practice. We will support and guide nurses to approach OSCE day fully prepared, with confidence and competence.

We have the same goal as you do

We want each nurse who completes our programme to approach OSCE day with confidence and competence and pass, ideally first time.

We know that this is what you would like too, so let us support your team member in the best way possible.

Edited 15/06/24

Each nurse is individual and will therefore, have different areas of focus.

The exam requires competent demonstration of a wide range of skills, as well as the ability to communicate safely and effectively. We will work alongside your team member, not just to ‘pass the OSCE’ but to gain confidence in communication, both verbal and written, understanding the rationale for and having the opportunity to practice a wide range of clinical skills.

Introduction to UK nursing practice

OSCE preparation is essentially an introduction to up-to-date UK clinical practice guidelines for IENs or RTP nurses, in preparation for their UK nursing career. Therefore, the majority of the OSCE training will support and enhance your team member’s future UK practice, regardless of setting or role.