RN registration · source-linked reference
RN OSCE station skills and checklists.
Connect the published examination focus areas to a practical study plan.
Last checked . Sources are linked beside the facts they support.
The handbook groups examination focus into 3 domains and 10 focus areas source. Our public catalogue has 130 original practice stations source across 12 preparation categories source. Preparation categories organise rehearsal; they do not predict the stations on your examination day.
| Handbook domain | Published focus area | Our preparation categories |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment and planning | Vital signs handbook | Vital signs |
| Assessment and planning | Focused assessment handbook | Focused assessment |
| Assessment and planning | Risk assessment handbook | Risk assessment |
| Care delivery | Medication administration handbook | Medication administration |
| Care delivery | Basic life support handbook | Basic life support |
| Care delivery | Aseptic and ANTT principles handbook | Aseptic technique |
| Care delivery | Pain assessment and management handbook | Pain management |
| Care delivery | IV fluid initiation and maintenance handbook | IV fluids |
| Care delivery | Blood transfusion handbook | Blood transfusion |
| Evaluation of care | Interdisciplinary communication handbook | ISBAR handover · Patient communication · Documentation & charts |
Patient communication and documentation are cross-cutting practice categories. Their placement in this study mapping does not create additional handbook station types. Physical techniques require supervised in-person rehearsal.
Choose a skill to rehearse
Vital signs
Collect a coherent set of observations, notice a change from baseline and communicate your concern. A number becomes useful when you connect it to the person in front of you.
Original rehearsal context: Reassessing observations and explaining a change to the patient.
Explore vital signs stations →Focused assessment
Build an assessment around the presenting concern rather than reciting every assessment you know. Combine the person’s account, relevant examination and a clear next step.
Original rehearsal context: Gathering a focused history about a new concern.
Explore focused assessment stations →Risk assessment
Explore a person’s specific risks and agree a practical prevention plan. Completing a form is one part of an assessment, not the whole task.
Original rehearsal context: Discussing a fall concern and agreeing a prevention plan.
Explore risk assessment stations →Medication administration
Show a safe approach to the prescription, the person and the medicine. Practise identifying missing information and explaining why you would pause rather than guess.
Original rehearsal context: Checking a prescription and explaining a medicine.
Explore medication administration stations →IV fluids
Connect the fluid order to the person’s current assessment, access site and fluid balance. Be ready to explain a discrepancy and seek clarification.
Original rehearsal context: Reviewing an infusion order and reporting a concern.
Explore iv fluids stations →Blood transfusion
Rehearse communication, identity checks and recognition of a possible reaction. In-person training remains essential for the practical equipment and bedside procedure.
Original rehearsal context: Explaining checks and recognising a possible reaction.
Explore blood transfusion stations →Basic life support
Practise recognising the need for emergency help and explaining your role in a resuscitation response. Spoken rehearsal cannot demonstrate effective compressions or safe equipment use.
Original rehearsal context: Recognising collapse and organising a team response.
Explore basic life support stations →Aseptic technique
Explain how your preparation, workspace and handling protect key parts and key sites. The physical technique needs observation and correction in person.
Original rehearsal context: Planning a dressing change and protecting key parts.
Explore aseptic technique stations →Pain management
Understand the person’s pain, its effect and the response to care. A pain score alone does not describe the whole problem.
Original rehearsal context: Exploring pain and reviewing response to care.
Explore pain management stations →ISBAR handover
Make a clear clinical request using Introduction, Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation. The listener should understand both the concern and the action needed.
Original rehearsal context: Calling a colleague about a change in condition.
Explore isbar handover stations →Patient communication
Help the person understand, participate and make informed choices. Good communication changes with the person’s needs rather than following a fixed speech.
Original rehearsal context: Checking understanding and involving a worried family member.
Explore patient communication stations →Documentation & charts
Create a useful clinical record that distinguishes observations, actions, communication and response. Your notes should help the next clinician continue care.
Original rehearsal context: Recording assessment, care and review in a fictional record.
Explore documentation & charts stations →These contexts are our original study examples, not recalled exam cases or copied handbook scenarios. Use the current RN OSCE Candidate Handbook, 7 July 2026 for examination scope.
Questions about this RN OSCE guide
Is this a list of the stations I will receive?
No. It maps published skill areas to independent preparation categories. It does not identify confidential examination scenarios or predict your allocated stations.