The Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE): A Qualitative Study evaluating Nursing Student’s Experience

This study evaluates the clinical competences and decision making of students before they enter the clinical setting. Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) becomes an integral evaluation method in nursing fields. Because the OSCE is a new experience for most students, it is important as educators, that we explore this assessment from perspective of the student. A descriptive design was utilized for collecting the data that are necessary to answer the research question. The sample consisted of 60 students who finished the 1st year theortical and clinical teaching course of Basic Nursing and were evaluated by OSCE. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with students. Analysis revealed three main themes: quality of instruction and organization of objective structured clinical examination, perception about the formal of OSCE, and Evaluation of quality of OSCE performance. The majority of the students appreciate the format of OSCE. The study highlighted that there are more need for Students' orientation period about OSCE to be planned in a form of a written check list of what would be expected of them and what they expect, and training sessions on OSCE procedure. and relieving their emotional stress during implementation of OSCE. The implementation of OSCE at Faculty of Nursing, Alneelain University was a useful experience for students, and was considered a valuable and worthy for further enhancement. Which need careful consideration by academic faculty developing this type of evaluation.