New! Preparation for the Nursing OSCE course
We’re delighted to announce the launch of our new online Preparation for the Nursing OSCE course, written in partnership with the highly experienced OSCE training team at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Background
The Royal Devon reviewed a draft version of the course some months ago and saw that it had great potential but needed work to accurately reflect the needs of international nurses and the OSCE trainers working with them. They felt that with their support, we could create a course that would have real impact, particularly in ensuring much higher first-time pass rates, which would save money and get nursing candidates registered and onto the wards more quickly.
Lead OSCE Trainer, Tim Clark, and Clinical Training Manager, Jane Dorothy from the Royal Devon, generously gave time to the project, working closely with SLC’s lead writer, Virginia Allum, to make sure the course was as strong as it could be.
As a result, material was added in a number of areas, for example to integrate Tim’s experience of where candidates really struggled, highlight their common fail points, and ensure they would be aware of how to address these effectively. The content was also re-prioritised to ensure candidates target the most important areas quickly, and appendices were added to give the course additional value. Finally, all NMC updates, including those announced for September 2024, were included.
“Working with Tim and Jane was brilliant. The amount of detail we covered and the time they put into analysing and then improving the course went well above anything I expected, and the course is now incredibly strong.” Virginia Allum, SLC
“Working with SLC on this project has been a pleasure and we hope the outcome will support many of our international colleagues successfully pass their OSCE.” Jane Dorothy, Clinical Training Manager and Tim Clark, Lead OSCE Trainer, the Royal Devon.
How to use the course
The Royal Devon team feel it can be most effectively used in three scenarios.
Firstly, candidates take it in the weeks before they embark on in-person training, so preparing them with the knowledge, skills awareness, language and communication strategies that would be activated and practised with their trainers.
Secondly, the course can be taken alongside in-person training, with the OSCE trainers directing candidates to areas of the course either before or after a face-to-face session. This then provides either preparatory or consolidation material to reinforce and extend the learning they undergo with the team.
Finally, having access to the course between their training and the exam provides candidates with excellent revision material. Learners can login whenever they have a few moments to refresh their memories and prepare to sit the official test.
The learning platform enables trainers to see exactly what their candidates have done, as well as set assignments and leave feedback. The course works seamlessly on PC, tablet and phone, giving candidates maximum opportunities to use it.
What’s in the course?
The course covers all the OSCE topics and scenarios that may arise in the APIE, Clinical Skills, Professional Values and Evidence of Best Practice stations. It details the marking criteria and gives clear guidance on how to pass each station. As mentioned above, it also highlights the common areas of failure, so candidates are fully prepared, and is fully up to date as of September 2024.
Preparation for the Nursing OSCE is accredited by the CPD Standards Office, and all candidates receive an official CPD certificate on course completion.
About SLC
SLC works with NHS employers across the country to improve the English language and communication skills of internationally-qualified healthcare professionals.
We prepare candidates for OET and IELTS; provide Living and Working in the UK courses for overseas nurses, AHPs and doctors; improve the clinical communication skills of doctors, nurses, AHPs and healthcare support workers, including social carers; and now provide language, skills and knowledge support for the Adult Nursing OSCE.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (RDUH)
RDUH was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
We have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide for more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our acute hospitals are both renowned for their research, innovation and links to universities.
Would you like to see the course?
To review the course for your OSCE team and candidates, please contact Chris Moore on chris@specialistlanguagecourses.com or book a call here.