Nurse Associate OSCE Preparation
OSCE Structure
The Nurse Associate OSCE has 10 stations. Each station tests your ability to provide safe, effective, and professional care. You’ll be marked on communication, safety, dignity, and accuracy, so knowing how the exam works is just as important as your clinical skills.
NMC Code of Conduct
The NMC Code sets the professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses and nurse associates. In your OSCE, this underpins everything you do.
It highlights the need to:
- Prioritise patient safety
- Promote dignity and respect
- Communicate clearly and compassionately
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism
Professional Values
Professional values are central to safe and effective practice. They mean:
- Acting with integrity and honesty - Showing compassion, kindness, and respect
- Upholding accountability for your actions - Advocating for patients and escalating concerns when needed
- Ensuring your care is always in line with the NMC Code Reflecting on these values in the OSCE demonstrates that you not only perform skills correctly but also practise in a way that puts the patient first.
The Nursing Process
The OSCE is grounded in the Nursing Process, a systematic, patient-centred approach to care. This includes:
- Assessment – collecting objective and subjective data
- Implementation – delivering safe, evidence-based interventions
- Evaluation – reassessing and adapting care to meet patient needs
This structured method helps you prioritise patient needs, tailor care to their preferences, and promote recovery and wellbeing.
AIE & A–E Assessment with NEWS2
You’ll be expected to demonstrate accurate APIE skills alongside the A–E assessment method:
- Airway – clear or obstructed
- Breathing – rate, depth, oxygen saturation, peak flow
- Circulation – pulse, BP, capillary refill, fluid balance
- Disability – AVPU, pain, glucose monitoring, confusion or altered mental state
- Exposure – temperature, skin, pressure areas Recording these findings in NEWS2 is essential.
You need to show that you can not only measure but also interpret results, escalate concerns, and reassess patients in a timely way.
Core Clinical Skills
The OSCE covers essential nursing skills, including:
- Hand hygiene & PPE – infection prevention and control
- Vital signs – BP, pulse, respiratory rate, temperature, SpO2, pain score
- Medication administration – safe checks, administration, and documentation
- Administration of inhaled medication – safe technique and patient education
- Fluid balance charts – accurate input/output measurement
- Hospital admission process – safe and structured patient admission assessment
- Risk assessments – Braden Scale (pressure ulcer risk), pain tools
- Diabetes management – CBG monitoring, hypo/hyperglycemia recognition
- Documentation – clear, accurate, professional charting
- Communication & Escalation
- Strong communication is central to the OSCE.
You will practice:
- Explaining procedures to patients
- Gaining informed consent
- Delivering structured handovers using SBAR
- Escalating care appropriately when observations are abnormal
- Holistic Assessment
Patients are not just clinical cases. You’ll learn to assess and care for the whole person — physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. These dimensions are interconnected, and addressing them promotes true recovery and wellness.
Evidence-Based Practice
Safe care is not just about following routine. You’ll be expected to show you understand evidence-based practice — applying current guidelines and research to clinical care. This shows examiners that your decisions are informed, up-to-date, and professional.
With these skills, knowledge, and professional values, you’ll be fully prepared to approach the OSCE with a systematic, safe, and patient-centered mindset. A first-time pass is possible with the right training and we offer the ultimate OSCE training experience at My Nurse’s Life.
