OSCE NZ stations: the 10 station types

The ten station types

The handbook lists these station types for registered nurses.

1. Mental health assessment
2. Physiological assessment
3. Specific physiological assessment
4. Professional responsibility
5. Emergency management, including handover and responding to an emergency
6. Clinical skills
7. Medication administration
8. Communication and teamwork, including handover using ISBAR
9. Planning nursing care
10. Managing the deteriorating patient, including escalation

The enrolled nurse version has 8 stations.

Time inside a station

Each station is 12 minutes: 2 minutes reading, 8 minutes for the scenario and 2 minutes to move. One examiner marks against set criteria. Nobody coaches or prompts you. You must demonstrate skills, not only say what you would do.

What the Council says is assessed

The handbook lists capabilities such as pharmacology and pathophysiology, escalation, documentation, clinical reasoning, clinical skills, cultural safety, direction and delegation, infection control, communication, leadership, managing nursing care, the patient in distress and patient identification. It also lists professional, legal and ethical duties, safe medication including calculations, and comprehensive assessment to develop differential diagnoses.

Standards run through all ten: the RN standards of competence, the Code of Conduct, cultural safety, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and whānau-centred care. Practise ISBAR for handover and escalation. See preparation for what to read.

Common questions

How many stations are in the NZ nursing OSCE?

Ten for registered nurses and eight for enrolled nurses.

How long is each station?

12 minutes in total, made up of 2 minutes reading, 8 minutes scenario and 2 minutes movement.

Will the scenarios be the same every attempt?

Not necessarily. You sit all stations each attempt, but scenarios may differ.

Is there a station on mental health?

Yes. Mental health assessment is the first station type the handbook lists.