The Nursing Council of New Zealand (the Council) is the regulatory authority responsible for the registration of nurses in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Council’s primary function is to protect the health and safety of members of the public by ensuring that nurses are competent and fit to practise. A key element of this process is the regis

The Nursing Council of New Zealand (the Council) is the regulatory authority responsible for the registration of nurses in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Council’s primary function is to protect the health and safety of members of the public by ensuring that nurses are competent and fit to practise. A key element of this process is the registration of all nurses, both domestic graduates and internationally qualified nurses (IQNs). 

The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA) 2003 (HPCA Act) outlines the role and responsibilities of the Council.

In 2023, the Council introduced a new process for those IQNs who require a test of competence before being registered. IQNs applying now to the Council will, at the direction of the Council, undertake the following tests of competence:

a. an online theoretical examination

b. a clinical competence assessment.

This handbook provides detailed and essential information for eligible candidates who have passed the online theoretical examination and have been invited to complete the clinical competence assessment.

The clinical competence assessment includes:

a. a two-day orientation and preparation course, and

b. an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

The OSCE is a well-established method of assessing competence and is used in internationally qualified nurse registration processes in multiple countries including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In Aotearoa New Zealand, it objectively assesses competence across the domains outlined in the registered nurse scope of practice. The OSCE assesses the application of your clinical knowledge and skills in practice to ensure you can provide safe competent care as a nurse in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The OSCE:

· is designed to assess your ability to apply your nursing knowledge and skills in a simulated clinical setting,

· is set at the level of a registered nurse as they enter the profession,

· will not assess advanced nursing or specialist skills,

· will relate to current best practices in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This is a regulatory assessment. This means that:

· You will not receive any coaching, prompting, feedback or further explanations of the required knowledge and skills for nursing practice from the examiners before, during or after the OSCE.

· You must demonstrate the skills rather than just verbalise your actions.

You are required to complete ten (10) OSCE stations. Each station will cover a scenario representing current nursing practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. The stations are listed below:

A. Mental health assessment

B. Physiological assessment

C. Specific physiological assessment

D. Professional responsibility

E. Emergency management

F. Clinical skills

G. Medication administration

H. Communication and teamwork

I. Planning nursing care

J. Managing the deteriorating patient

Each OSCE station lasts 12 minutes, divided into a 2 + 8 + 2 minutes format. You will be given two (2) minutes to read the candidate instructions, followed by eight (8) minutes to complete the scenario for each station and two (2) minutes to move to the next station.

The OSCE scenarios will assess your clinical competence, nursing knowledge and skills. This will include, (but is not limited to), the following:

· appropriate escalation of clinical concerns

· clinical documentation

· clinical reasoning and decision making

· clinical skills

· cultural safety

· direction and delegation

· infection control practices

· interpersonal communication

· interprofessional communication

· leadership

· managing nursing cares

· managing a patient in distress

· nursing assessment

· patient identification

· professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities

· safe medication administration (including drug calculation)

There are ten (10) OSCE stations, which will be clearly identified alphabetically from one (A) to ten ( J ). At registration, you will be assigned a letter corresponding to your starting station. For example, if you are assigned number B you will start at station B, progress to station C, then D and so on to station J, and finish at you

There are ten (10) OSCE stations, which will be clearly identified alphabetically from one (A) to ten ( J ). At registration, you will be assigned a letter corresponding to your starting station. For example, if you are assigned number B you will start at station B, progress to station C, then D and so on to station J, and finish at your tenth station, A. You are required to complete all ten

(10) stations.

The NMSAC staff will guide you to your starting position. Please sit on the chair provided outside each station and wait for the announcement signalling the start of the two (2) minute OSCE reading time. You will start and finish the OSCE scenarios simultaneously with the other candidates and move through each station in sequence.

Outside each OSCE station, there will be a notepad available to you. During the two (2) minutes allocated for reading, feel free to utilise the notepad for taking notes, plan your approach to the scenario, or list the key skills you need to demonstrate. Remember to leave any notes related to the scenario with the OSCE examiner before you exit the room.

You will receive written candidate instructions before entering each OSCE station. The candidate instructions serve as a guide for you to understand the requirements for each clinical scenario and what you will be assessed on. You will be given two (2) minutes to read the candidate instructions and any supporting clinical documentation e.g. vital signs attached to the scenario. Carefully read the candidate instructions before entering each station. A laminated copy of the scenario will also be available inside the room 

1. You are not allowed to contact or attempt to contact NMSAC’s staff before or after the OSCE for any reason except to:

a) make a special request regarding medication or medical devices necessary for your health,

b) seek approval for special dress code requirements,

c) advise of an exceptional circumstance that would impact your ability t

1. You are not allowed to contact or attempt to contact NMSAC’s staff before or after the OSCE for any reason except to:

a) make a special request regarding medication or medical devices necessary for your health,

b) seek approval for special dress code requirements,

c) advise of an exceptional circumstance that would impact your ability to attend your booked OSCE.

2. You are prohibited from entering the NMSAC building before registration. Unauthorised access to the NMSAC building before your scheduled OSCE will be considered misconduct.

3. You must adhere to the instructions provided by the NMSAC team. Failure to comply with such instructions will be regarded as misconduct.

4. You are strictly prohibited from attempting to obtain information about the OSCE from previous candidates who have completed the OSCE.

5. You are strictly prohibited from selling or attempting to sell any information associated with the OSCE. This includes but is not limited to details about the OSCE setup, the OSCE process, OSCE questions, and OSCE answers.

6. You must not bring any unauthorised material into the OSCE circuit, including but not limited to electronic devices, reference materials, and food (except by prior agreement, see special requests section).

7. You are strictly prohibited from copying OSCE items for any purpose. You must surrender any scenario-related notes to the OSCE examiner before exiting the OSCE station.

8. You are not allowed to seek help from any other party in answering items, whether in person, by phone, text, or email, during the OSCE, including during breaks.

9. You are not allowed to communicate, assist, or provide an unfair advantage to other candidates during the OSCE.

10. You are not allowed to remove any OSCE materials, equipment, or documentation from the NMSAC rooms/building; this includes any note paper.

11. Unauthorised recording of any part of the OSCE, including audio, video, or photographs, both inside and outside the NMSAC, and subsequently posting it on

social media or sharing it with others, is strictly prohibited. This rule applies to you and any individuals accompanying you to and from the OSCE.

1. Any conduct or behaviour that disrupts the OSCE process, compromises its fairness, or disturbs others is strictly prohibited. This includes but is not limited to bribing or attempting to bribe any staff associated with Nurse Maude, excessive noise, unprofessional conduct, cheating or attempted cheating, failure to follow instructions, the use of disruptive electronic devices, and any form of aggressive or threatening behaviour. Disruptive conduct not only disrupts the assessment process but also undermines its integrity and may result in disqualification from the OSCE.

2. You are prohibited from reconstructing OSCE items for any purpose after the OSCE. This includes using your own memory or relying on the memory of others who have taken the OSCE.

3. If you observe any irregular or unprofessional behaviour or misconduct that violates the OSCE candidate rules and regulations, you are obligated to report it to a NMSAC team member and fully cooperate with any subsequent investigation.

4. You are required to offer reasonable assistance to any investigation conducted by the Council concerning a suspected violation of the OSCE candidate rules or any other investigation deemed necessary.

5. Impersonation, where you attempt to take the OSCE on behalf of another candidate, is strictly prohibited. Both the person impersonating, and the candidate being impersonated can face severe consequences, including disqualification from the OSCE, subsequent re-sit, future registration, and potential legal action.

6. You must maintain strict confidentiality regarding all aspects of Nurse Maude and the OSCE, both during and after it. This encompasses not disclosing or discussing any information related to the OSCE, such as its setup, process, questions, or answers. This prohibition extends to various forms of communication, including verbal, written, online posting, or discussions on the internet and social media. You must refrain from sharing this information with anyone, including current or future candidates, colleagues, friends, family, and other organisations.