Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) as an Assessment Tool for Clinical Skills in Sohag University: Nursing students' perspective

The aim of this study was to investigate the studentsperception of the OSCE as part of an evaluation of clinical skills in Med-Surgical Nursing students �. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by1 st year Med-Surgical Nursing students immediately after the OSCE exam using Pierre et al. , (2004) questionnaire, in addition to 7 questions about the organization of OSCE evaluation. The results of this study indicate that OSCE has been fair assessment tool (75.9%) and comprehensive (72.4%) and with clear instruction (50.0%), minimized the chance of failing (68.9%), and highlighted areas of student's weakness (46.6%). However, some students felt that OSCE was very stressful (24.1%), twenty nine (50.0%) of student expressed concerns about inadequacy of time. As well, the OSCE provided opportunities to learning, reflected those which were taught (36.2%), and (48.3%) reported that the stations were organized and of logical sequence and appropriate. Thirty two (55.2%) of the student felt that, the exam score provide true measure clinical skill, (56.9%) believed that the score was standardized, and the personality and social relations did not affect OSCE scores. Student feedback confirmed their acceptance of OSCE as an evaluation tool for their clinical skills, so as to fairness and unbiased, cover a wide range of knowledge and comprehensive, provide opportunities to leaning. Also the majority of examinees was satisfied with organization and administration of the OSCE; as well prefer using the OSCE exam more in the clinical exams than other assessment. Further studies are required involving larger number of students and staff member to establish the effectiveness of OSCE within nursing education programs, in addition use of Watched Structured Clinical Examination (WSCE) to overcome the limited equipment and manpower.