KIWI Nurse Academy

NZ OSCE preparation

NZ OSCE Exam Preparation for International Nurses

Turn exam expectations into confident, repeatable practice with station walkthroughs, small-group tutor feedback, and AI-powered virtual patient conversations through gotoMedics.

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  • 6 months course access
  • Station preparation
  • Course benefits outlined below

NZ registration journey — Step 2: Clinical assessment and OSCE

OSCE Prep Course

For internationally qualified nurses who have passed the IQN theoretical examination and are preparing for OSCE, with station walkthroughs, virtual patient practice and guided online review.

549 NZD

One-time purchase. Six months of course access from purchase.

  • Station walkthroughs and clinical checklists
  • New OSCE purchases: tutor-led online review in groups of up to 3 learners
  • New OSCE purchases: 3 months of gotoMedics virtual patient practice

New OSCE purchases include the listed benefits. Eligibility and benefit terms are confirmed for your purchase. gotoMedics is an external service with separate access and plan terms.

Choose OSCE PrepView OSCE course details

AI-powered OSCE readiness

Practise a clinical conversation and see what to improve.

Use voice stations, transcript-backed AI feedback, and readiness progress to focus your next practice session.

Explore the readiness check

External gotoMedics service. Opens in a new tab. Individual access and separate plan terms apply.

Assessment overview

What is the NZ OSCE?

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination is the in-person clinical competence assessment for candidates whose NCNZ pathway requires it. It assesses applied nursing knowledge, communication, clinical reasoning, patient safety, and professional practice.

Candidates complete a mandatory two-day orientation and preparation course before the OSCE. The orientation is held at the University of Canterbury and the examination at the Nurse Maude Simulation and Assessment Centre in Christchurch.

Your invitation and current candidate handbook remain the source of truth for eligibility, booking, and exam-day requirements. KNA preparation does not include or replace the official orientation, exam booking or exam fees.

Registered nurse OSCE

10 stations

Each station uses 2 minutes reading, 8 minutes task, and 2 minutes transfer time.

Enrolled nurse OSCE

8 stations

The same 2 + 8 + 2 minute station structure applies to enrolled nurse candidates.

NCNZ competence assessmentNCNZ candidate FAQs

What you receive

Learn the station, practise the conversation, refine with feedback.

KNA combines teaching, guided human feedback, and repeatable AI communication practice in one preparation pathway.

Station walkthroughs

Learn what to say, what to do, and which safety and communication checkpoints matter in each station area.

Small-group review

New OSCE purchases: practise with a tutor in guided online sessions of up to 3 learners, subject to booking availability and entitlement.

AI virtual patients

New OSCE purchases include 3 months of external gotoMedics access for voice-based communication practice under separate terms.

Step-by-step guide

How learners use the OSCE preparation stage.

Move from understanding each station to practising it under pressure, reviewing feedback, and repeating weaker areas.

  1. 01

    Learn the station structure

    Review expectations, communication frameworks, and critical safety checkpoints.

  2. 02

    Practise with virtual patients

    Rehearse consent, empathy, patient education, and handover through AI-powered conversations.

  3. 03

    Join guided sessions

    Apply your structure in live small-group practice and receive tutor feedback.

  4. 04

    Refine and repeat

    Use transcripts, feedback, and checklists to strengthen timing and communication flow.

Included AI practice platform

Build communication readiness with gotoMedics.

New KNA OSCE purchases include 3 months of gotoMedics access. Practise between tutor sessions, review transcript-backed feedback, and track the areas that need more work.

See gotoMedics NZ practice

External gotoMedics service. Opens in a new tab. Individual access and separate plan terms apply.

Voice-based OSCE stations

Session transcripts

AI feedback after practice

Readiness progress over time

GotoMedics supports communication practice and readiness review. KNA provides the broader NZ OSCE teaching, station preparation, and tutor-led feedback.

Exam at a glance

Know the OSCE format before you practise.

Venue
Nurse Maude Simulation and Assessment Centre, Christchurch
RN format
10 stations
EN format
8 stations
Station timing
2 min read · 8 min task · 2 min transfer

Always follow the current candidate instructions and the assessment sequence.

Preparation coverage

Practise across the major station areas.

Build a consistent approach to assessment, safety, communication, clinical reasoning, and documentation.

  • Mental health assessment
  • Physiological assessment
  • Professional responsibility
  • Emergency management
  • Clinical skills
  • Medication administration
  • Communication and teamwork
  • Planning nursing care
  • Deteriorating patient
  • Documentation and handover

In-depth station guides

Communication stationsEmergency stationsMedication stationsProfessional responsibility

Common performance gaps

Mistakes to address before exam day

  • Starting without a clear introduction, identity check, and consent
  • Completing tasks without explaining the plan to the patient
  • Missing safety checks or failing to escalate a concerning finding
  • Using memorised scripts that do not respond to the scenario
  • Running out of time without summarising or closing the interaction

Continue your pathway

Related OSCE and registration guidance

NZ IQN Theory preparation

Build the theory knowledge and exam technique that support confident IQN preparation.

NZ nursing registration pathway

Understand how competence assessment fits into the wider NCNZ process.

OSCE preparation articles

Read practical guidance about communication, timing, and exam technique.

Planning your OSCE travel

Need professional visitor visa application support?

Access optional Occupational Registration Visitor Visa application support through our independent licensed New Zealand immigration adviser partner.

Explore Visa Support

Common questions

OSCE preparation FAQs

Prepare with a complete system

Learn, practise, receive feedback, and repeat.

Combine KNA station preparation and tutor support with AI-powered gotoMedics communication practice.

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