Are you a qualified nurse who wants to work in the UK? If so, you might be interested in the free overseas nurse recruitment and OSCE preparation services offered by some agencies. These services can help you find a suitable job in the UK, as well as prepare you for the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which is a mandatory test for all nurses who trained outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
What is OSCE?
OSCE stands for Objective Structured Clinical Examination. It is a practical test that assesses your clinical skills and knowledge in a simulated environment. The test consists of six stations, each lasting 15 minutes, where you have to perform various tasks such as taking a patient’s history, performing a physical examination, administering medication, or performing a nursing procedure. You have to pass all six stations to pass the OSCE.
What is the Test of Competence?
The Test of Competence (ToC) is a two-part assessment that all nurses and midwives who trained outside the UK must pass to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The ToC consists of:
Part one:
A computer-based test (CBT) that assesses your theoretical knowledge and clinical decision-making skills. You can take the CBT in your home country or the UK at a Pearson VUE test center.
Part two:
An objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) that tests your practical skills and communication abilities. You must take the OSCE in the UK at one of the five approved test centers.
The ToC covers the NMC standards of proficiency for your field of practice, as well as the Code of Professional Conduct. You must pass both parts of the ToC within two years of passing your CBT, or within three attempts, whichever comes first.
How to find free overseas nurse recruitment services?
If you are looking for free overseas nurse recruitment services, you have several options to choose from. Some of them are:
HealthStaff.org
This is an international nursing recruitment agency that provides direct hire services for healthcare employers and RNs. They have 25 years of experience in helping nurses from various countries to work in the UK and other destinations. They offer free visa sponsorship, relocation assistance, OSCE training and support, NMC registration guidance, and career development opportunities.
WESolutions
This is another international nursing recruitment agency that specializes in hiring nurses from overseas for the UK healthcare sector. They have a team of experts who can assist you with every step of the process, from CV writing to OSCE preparation. They also offer free NMC registration fees, OSCE exam fees, travel and accommodation costs, and ongoing mentorship.
NHS Employers
This is the official website of the NHS employers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Here, you can find information about working as a nurse in the UK, including the ToC requirements, visa options, salary and benefits, and job vacancies. You can also access free resources such as webinars, podcasts, newsletters, and case studies to help you with your application.
How to prepare for the OSCE?
👉The OSCE is a challenging part of the ToC that requires you to demonstrate your clinical skills and communication skills in a simulated environment. To prepare for the OSCE, you need to:
👉Review the NMC standards of proficiency for your field of practice and the Code of Professional Conduct.
👉Read the OSCE information booklet for nurses or midwives that provides an overview of the OSCE structure, content, marking criteria, and tips.
👉Practice your skills using online resources such as Geeky Medics, which offers over 900 OSCE stations with answers and checklists, or Medic Mind, which offers expert guidance and practice questions for optometry OSCEs.
👉Take advantage of the free OSCE preparation courses or workshops offered by some recruitment agencies or test centers. For example, HealthStaff.org offers a four-week intensive OSCE training course with experienced tutors and mock exams. WESolutions offers a two-day OSCE workshop with feedback and coaching from NMC examiners. Oxford Brookes University offers a one-day OSCE preparation course with practical sessions and advice from academic staff.
👉Be confident, calm, and professional during the OSCE. Follow the instructions carefully, communicate clearly with the patient and examiner, use appropriate infection control measures, document your findings accurately, and justify your actions rationally.
Conclusion
Working as a nurse in the UK can be a rewarding career choice for overseas-trained nurses. However, it requires passing the Test of Competence (ToC), which consists of a computer-based test (CBT) and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). To help you with this process, you can find free overseas nurse recruitment and OSCE preparation services that can provide you with guidance, support, training, and financial assistance.
