Once you have settled into your accommodation, you will meet with your practice educator, practice development nurse and ward manager to begin your local induction to your ward or department.
You will be assigned a ward buddy who will support you through your local induction and offer support to you. You will also receive pastoral support in the transition to the local community including setting up bank accounts, collecting your BRP and a tour of the local area. Your local induction will last for two weeks and will introduce you to local and Trust policies and measures.
Mental Health OSCE preparation – 4 to 6 weeks
Following your local induction, you will then begin preparations for your OSCE MH Exam. These preparations usually run for 4 to 6 weeks and combine both classroom theory and practical skills to allow you to be able to pass your OSCE exam. You will be supported through this period by your practice development nurse who will regularly assess you both formally and informally and outline any areas of improvements to focus upon. During this time you will also spend some time on the wards shadowing another member of staff to gain practical experience which will benefit your OSCE preparation as well as dedicated study leave days.
MH OSCE Exam – 12 weeks post arrival in the UK
Your OSCE Exam will take place at one of three test centres; Northampton, Oxford or Ulster University. Travel and accommodation will be arranged for you prior to the exam by the team and you will usually travel the day before your exam (except Ulster where you may travel two days prior to the exam due to flight times). Following your OSCE exam you should receive your results within 5 working days. This OSCE exam is funded by the Trust, however, if you need to re-sit the OSCE exam you would have to fund this yourself.
Once you have received confirmation of your OSCE Exam result you can use this to register for your pin with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The Trust will then support you into a preceptorship programme as a Band 5 Registered Mental Health Nurse.
