Standardization of Procedure cum OSCE Objective Structured Clinical Examination Checklist
Introduction :
In 2015, Jhpiego compiled a list of Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) nursing procedures which was rolled out across the country in ANM training centres through a directive of INC (The Indian Nursing Council). In 2019 INC introduced competency-based Nursing education curriculum for B.Sc. nursing which contain a list of essential nursing procedures. Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council (TNNMC) took the initiative to collate and publish detailed subject wise all the possible nursing procedures and their steps in 2022-23. The same was designed to be used as a comprehensive guide for procedures across ANM, GNM, P.B. B.Sc., B.Sc., and M.Sc. Nursing programs. In Uttar Pradesh (UP) different procedural steps and guidelines were being used for teaching learning in various nursing institutes. It was felt that to bring uniformity standardized list of procedures and their steps should be developed in alignment with the latest evidence-based practices recommended by Government of India (GoI) using the framework of Tamil Nadu procedure manual after taking due permission.
Objectives :
To make available a comprehensive resource book for the nursing students and faculty of different courses as per their scope which could be used to assess students’ ability in applying clinical knowledge and skills effectively in a simulated and practical setting.
Process of development of OSCE checklist for UP
To support this effort, a series of specialty-wise one day workshops were organized at the UP State Nursing Council office in Lucknow. These workshops provided a platform for nursing professionals to collaborate, share their expertise, and ensure that the Uttar Pradesh procedure cum OSCE checklist was aligned with current standards.
UP State Nursing Council with technical support from Jhpiego identified a team of experienced nursing faculty representing various specialties and regions across the state to carry out a comprehensive review of the TNNMC Procedure Manual to meet the above-mentioned objectives.
The team validated the content based on three core principles: alignment with the latest GoI guidelines, integration of current evidence-based practices and standard operating procedures (SoPs) and removal of outdated procedure steps. A compilation of Standardized Procedure cum OSCE checklists for all nursing subjects acknowledging TNMC was released in November,2023 as OSCE checklist for the nursing institutions of Uttar Pradesh.
Conclusion :
By providing a structured and uniform approach to skills acquisition and clinical assessment, these standardized checklists are in use and expected to elevate the quality of nursing education throughout the state. The checklists are used for Orientation of students to procedures in classrooms Training, demonstration, practice and return demonstrations in labs Practice of students and staff in the clinical areas.
Way Forward :
Going forward these checklists should be by all used as standard for all essential procedures needed for nursing education. Continuous OSCE workshops need to be conducted to build a strong pool of trained faculty. This will ensure standardized OSCE implementation and sustained capacity-building across nursing institutions in Uttar Pradesh. This process has been initiated by UP state nursing council. A continuous and rigorous validation mechanism should be in place to keep the Procedure cum OSCE checklist updated with evolving GoI guidelines and emerging evidence-based practices. Using Procedure cum OSCE checklist for conducting robust formative and summative practical examination in nursing institutes across UP.
