Published on: 5 February 2024
A Derbyshire NHS International Educated Nurse has recently passed her Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and will now be able to work as a registered nurse in the county. 
Rakhi Ravindran, International Educated Nurse at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust working for the Pleasley Ward at the Hartington Unit in Chesterfield, who is originally from India, took the exam in January. The Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a competence-based assessment used to assess overseas nurses’ clinical skills and to check their current registration against the expected English nursing standards of practice.
For an international nurse to be able to register in the UK, they must meet the minimum nursing standards to practice and the OSCE is a comprehensive and detailed set of practice exercises. It covers the nursing process, professional behaviours and attitudes of a registered nurse, key clinical skills and communication is a core component.
Emma Bailey, Practice Facilitator for International Educated Nurses at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “The OSCE exams can be extremely stressful, particularly with the added pressure of having moved country and the prospect of a new role. Passing the OSCE has enabled Rakhi to successfully register and practice at Derbyshire Healthcare as well as join a team of respected nurses and healthcare professionals with a shared value of making a positive difference to patient care.
“It has been a pleasure supporting Rakhi with her studies and we have all been extremely impressed by her commitment to learning and growing as a registered nurse in this country. This is only the start of Rakhi’s journey and we expect more notable achievements to come.”
Dave Mason, Interim Director of Nursing at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Congratulations to Rakhi on her OSCE achievement, very well done! The organisation really value the work of skilled international nurses coming to work for us to provide the best quality of care to our local communities. She will be a huge credit to not only her team but the Trust as a whole.”
Rakhi was overjoyed to hear she had passed her exam, she said: “I am so proud to have passed not only the exam but also all 10 elements of the exam without any repeats. A huge thank you to Emma who has supported my learning. Her support is highly commendable!
“I am looking forward to what lies ahead in my nursing career, particularly knowing I can support the Trust in delivering the very best patient-centred care.”
