I wonder if there is anyone out there who, like me, who has been slogging through the NMC application process and has taken or will take the OSCE? Are any of you ANGRY about the OSCE? I am.
Those of us applying to be registered in the UK have been put through the ringer, been vetted in every way imaginable (references, one year of practical experience required, education hours, training hours, IELTS, etc), and the fact that they add a practical test on top of that is just redundant, unnecessary, and a huge waste of time and resources for everyone. Especially amid the UK nursing shortage, when they should be facilitating the immigration of well-qualified nurses, not hindering us!
I recently took the OSCE and failed the skills section for absolutely bogus and arbitrary reasons. But before finding out that I had a "partial fail", I initially came out of that test feeling confident, like I had done well, and there is no way they would judge me to be an incompetent nurse. But despite my feeling that I performed well, I also emerged from the test simultaneously angry and frustrated, for having just committed 5 weeks of my life to stressing, floundering through disorganized, overabundant study materials on the Nile website, and traveling across the world... all for a test that clearly has nothing to do with assessing a nurse's competence. All the OSCE succeeds in testing is our willingness to jump through meaningless hoops and pay excessive fees!
The fact that we are subjected to this psychological roller coaster is infuriating... especially from an organization whose bedrock is the holistic caretaking of all people!
And why the exorbitant fees? Why do we have to repay the fee if we sit again for the test? Exactly whose pockets are we lining? The whole thing just rubs me the wrong way.
I'm just appalled at what I and others have been through with the OSCE. I plan to appeal my test result and also lodge a complaint both with the University of Northampton and the NMC, who are the controllers of the OSCE. If anyone is interested, I will share what I write, and I encourage ANYONE who is frustrated to write to the NMC and make yourself heard!!!
Please dear can u direct me to agencies that i can apply to. They failed me a second time in the nmc osce and i want to appeal it as the reason they failed me was ridiculous. My work place have me till 8th October to get the NMC PIN or face chances of going back to my country.
Aggie dear Hi, failed my second resit as well. Am looking for another sponsorship are you saying your friend found another sponsorship could you please refer me or give me details please .I can send my email address if that is ok
We actually teach OSCE and people le fail on all kinds of reasons.
We've not had hand washing as a reason yet. It's a very formulaic exam and each step must be memorized and practiced correctly and repeated - practice is the only answer.
Is it safe practice when you pass the OSCe? In my opinion it is the opposite, no one works as it is at the osce exam, in that way it should be 1-1 care in each setting. People are failing because the examiners are not satisfied with the hand washing technique performed at the exam... if this is a reason not to practice as a nurse, there is something really wrong!!! Who ever is failing because of these or similar reasons, they are probably more then highly qualified staff.
It is not safe to practice without the osce? Is it safe to practice whilst the wards are understaffed? Is it safe that the nurses working instead of 2 -3 staff? Is it safe for their health arriving and leaving work with tears, as they are overworked? Is this safe?
People will start leaving (some already have) because of these requirements.
I really don't know who see this or not, I just can't believe it is going on and on....
Been through the test twice and unfortunately failed. This test made me lose confidence in my ability as a nurse despite being qualified in my country and worked as one. This test is not a test of competence but rather a test of nerves.
Ive been reading comments from this blog and yes i do agree that the exam is not really easy to pass even if they are basic nursing procedures. I took my my first resit exam last Wednesday and then by friday im already in the register. Praise God! Practice practice practice is the only key and if there is a chance in the ward for daily dressing to a patient grab it! IM SC drug rounds admissions discharges do it to a real patient in the area, its far better practice and have it checked by ur mentor ofcourse.. practice practice practice. Watch out for the care plan because they do it quite different here.... Best of luck for those who are about to take the exam. Its such a big relief once you pass! happy days! And infairness to the examiners, i believe theyre trying their best to help and be approachable enough, dont hesitate to ask questions before u start so u know how to deal with your particular station like bls
Congrats on your OSCE. Im on a process of having my COS so in 2 months time God willing, I'll be going to UK.
Hi. I have been reading regarding the OSCE and looking for some tips or guide. Can you also send me an email of your reading materials. I will really appreciate it if you can send me, my email is [email protected]. Thank you. My name is May and I am from the Philippines. Waiting for my DL as of this moment.
Has anyone here made an appeal to UoN. I failed my osce twice already and they failed me because i did not put neuro obs on my care plan. I only stated a specific neuro obs which is gcs. I heared that making an appeal to UoN is worthless as they are really strict when it come to appeals
Well God in his good grace did not see fit for me to pass my first OSCE. I was nervous, despite the nice ladies at the exam centre, I forgot to do something really essential. I pray nerves do not get the better of me next time. I am waiting three months before my next attempt at the exam.
From the care planning book I have read it says you must be specific in your care plans. That to me means that I will say how often I am observing my patient and how soon between observations too. Did you do this? If you did this you should be fine.
Nkechi udu
11 Posts
Please dear can u direct me to agencies that i can apply to. They failed me a second time in the nmc osce and i want to appeal it as the reason they failed me was ridiculous. My work place have me till 8th October to get the NMC PIN or face chances of going back to my country.