The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is designed to test your ability to apply nursing knowledge safely and effectively in real life scenarios. During the exam, you will rotate through a series of stations that simulate paediatric clinical situations. You will be observed and assessed on your clinical skills, communication, decision making, and professional behaviour.

What We Cover at Training

We teach what is covered in the exams and how it is presented to you. We give you guidance through teaching, demonstrations and testing tour knowledge in a series of prepared stations, that mirror the real exam.

Common Station Types

While the OSCE format may vary across exam centres, paediatric OSCEs include 10 main stations:

APIE (Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation)

• Holistic assessment of a child patient using scenarios and documentation.
• Developing and prioritising care plans.
• Applying the nursing process safely and effectively.

Practical Skills you will be assessed on - A range of clinical skills common in paediatric nursing.

• Vital signs assessment using paediatric observation tools (e.g., PEWS – Paediatric Early Warning Score).
• Medication administration, including paediatric drug calculations and safe delivery of oral medications.
• Fluid balance, nutrition, and pain assessment using age-appropriate tools (Wong-Baker faces).

Clinical Scenarios - Communication with parents/guardians.

• Safeguarding and consent.
• Recognising and escalating care for a deteriorating child (using SBAR and PEWS).

Professional Behaviours

• Safeguarding children and child protection.
• Informed consent in paediatrics.
• Documentation, accuracy, and record-keeping.

How You Will Be Assessed

Examiners will score you against criteria mapped to NMC standards. Assessment focuses on:

• Safety – infection control, safe drug administration, escalation.
• Communication – child-friendly explanations, involving parents and carers.
• Clinical Accuracy – technical skills, observations, and correct calculations.
• Professionalism – confidentiality, safeguarding, and compassionate care.

We will assess you the same way that you will be assessed in the OSCE.

We Help You Develop the Skills For Success

• Practise paediatric observations and PEWS charts – learn to recognise red flags.
• Master paediatric drug calculations – always double-check weight-based doses.
• Communicate at the child’s developmental level, and include parents in care discussions.
• Escalate concerns early if a child deteriorates and hand over clearly using SBAR.
• Be confident in safeguarding processes and escalation pathways.

The APIE Framework

The APIE model underpins much of the OSCE structure. Teaching in this area focuses on:

Assessment

• Interpreting patient documentation before meeting the child.
• Identifying vital information such as observations, history of presenting condition
  (e.g. asthma exacerbation, risk of post-tonsillectomy bleed).
• Communicating with children and families about lifestyle and health.
• Considering family-centred care – recognising parents/carers as key partners in assessment and decision-making.
• Working collaboratively with families by explaining treatments and involving them in care (e.g. supporting parents to observe for fresh bleeding post-tonsillectomy).
• Practising assessment scenarios in a professional, structured manner.

Planning

• Developing appropriate care plans based on measurable, patient-centred goals.
• Prioritising safety concerns, e.g. monitoring airway and breathing in asthma or recognising early red flags of post-tonsillectomy bleeding.
• Encouraging independence and family participation in care (such as teaching inhaler technique to both child and parent).
• Practising care planning under timed conditions with personalised feedback.

Implementation

• Safe administration of oral liquid medications, including applying the 7 rights of medication administration.
• Familiarisation with MAR charts, common drugs, and error-prevention.
• Documenting interventions accurately.

Evaluation

• Extracting and recording essential clinical information.
• Delivering clear, structured SBAR handovers, including specific risks (e.g. deterioration in asthma, ongoing monitoring for post-op bleeding).
• Reflecting on the effectiveness of interventions in partnership with the child and family.
• Practising under supervision with constructive feedback.

Clinical Skills Training

Candidates receive intensive training across three days of practical sessions. Each skill is demonstrated, explained, and then practised in small groups (four nurses per trainer). Trainers provide detailed feedback, recorded in individual workbooks for later reference.

Skills are reinforced with memory prompts and linked to evidence-based practice. All ToC21 skills are covered, ensuring comprehensive preparation.

• Paediatric Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) for infants and children.
• Clinical skills such as oxygen therapy, PEFR, administration of inhaled medication (AIM), blood glucose monitoring, fine-bore nasogastric tube insertion, subcutaneous injections.

On the final day, a mock OSCE is conducted that closely reflects the real test. Full feedback and support are given, along with tailored suggestions on how to strengthen performance and ensure a successful pass.