The objective structured clinical examination within intensive care nursing education

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Skills Assessment
• Healthcare Simulation

Background:

• The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a method for evaluating clinical skills in a simulated environment.
• Post-registered nursing programs increasingly use OSCEs for summative assessment, complementing or replacing traditional practice-based evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reflect on the introduction of an OSCE within a degree-level intensive care nursing program.
• To analyze the experiences and outcomes of implementing this assessment method.

Main Methods:

• A reflective approach was employed for the analysis.
• The Six Thinking Hats tool guided the reflective process.

Main Results:

• Implementing an OSCE for intensive care nursing necessitates substantial teacher preparation and time investment.
• The OSCE provides distinct benefits and advantages over alternative assessment methods.

Conclusions:

• The study identifies disadvantages and limitations associated with OSCE implementation in intensive care nursing.
• Recommendations and practical guidance are offered for educators, examiners, and students involved in OSCEs.