Mastering the 4 Components of the NMC OSCE Planning Station in 2025

If you are preparing for the NMC OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination), one of the most important stations is the NMC OSCE Planning Station. The Planning Station evaluates your ability to create a patient-centred, evidence-based care plan.

With a thorough understanding of the NMC OSCE Planning station, you can achieve it. In this blog, we will break down how to approach the NMC OSCE Planning Station and provide tips to help you to prepare well.

What Is the NMC OSCE Planning Station?

The Planning Station is a 14-minute written station in the OSCE. You are given a scenario involving a patient’s condition and are asked to develop two appropriate care plans based on the patient’s needs.

Each care plan must be focused on:

• Relevant to the patient scenario
• SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
• Prioritised appropriately
• Focused on person-centred care

To do this well, you need to understand the four essential components that make up the core of the NMC OSCE Planning Station:

·        Nursing Problem

·         Aim of Care

·         Interventions

·         Re-evaluation Time

We will explore each of these four components to help you write effective care plans during your NMC OSCE.

1. Nursing Problem

This is the foundation of your care plan. It refers to the main nursing problem that needs to be addressed based on the patient’s condition and assessment.

Your nursing problem should:

• Identified from the scenario
• Be relevant and prioritised (choose the most urgent Nursing problem)

 Tip: Nursing problems should be identified based on the planning scenario and, in some cases, if nothing is given in the planning scenario, from the assessment scenario. Ensure to read the scenario carefully before identifying any nursing problem. The patient’s primary need or concern should be prioritized over the nursing need.

2. Aim of Care

This is the aim you want to achieve through your planned nursing interventions. It should always be specific, measurable, achievable, and realistic in nature.

Your aim of care should:

• Clearly state what you are trying to achieve
• Be realistic and based on the patient’s condition

 Tip: The Aim of care should be achievable within the given time frame.

3. Re-evaluation Time

This is a crucial part of the care plan and is often misinterpreted. In the Re-evaluation time frame, put the nearest possible date, time, and be considerate about the patient’s condition.

Your re-evaluation time should:

• Be time-bound
• Be realistic based on the intervention
• Based on the care plan validity

 Tip: To determine the re-evaluation time frame, consider the specific nursing problem and how often it needs to be assessed until the desired outcome is achieved. For problems where sudden or rapid changes are expected, such as pain or risk for falls, re-evaluation should be after 30 minutes. For problems less likely to show immediate changes, such as impaired mobility, a longer interval, like 4 hours, may be appropriate.

4. Interventions

Your Interventions should:

These are the nursing actions you will take to help the patient reach the identified aim. Your interventions should be evidence-based, safe, and practical.

·        Describe the plan of action

·        Include Referral as per the problem

 Tip: Start interventions using these key words- Explain, Monitor, Assess, Teach, Administer, Refer, Instruct, Document, etc.

Summary of the 4 Components of NMC OSCE Planning:

Component	Description	Example
Problem	Identified an appropriate nursing problem	Risk of falls due to confusion
Aim	Desired outcome	The patient will remain free from the Risk of falls
Time Frame	Write a relevant time frame as per the identified nursing problem	Document the nearest possible date, time, care plan validity, and be considerate about the patient’s condition.
Intervention	Actions with rationale	Provide clutter-free surroundings; educate on safety

Tips to Navigate the NMC OSCE Planning Station

1. Practice with Sample Scenarios

Familiarise yourself with common clinical situations such as post-operative care, falls risk, pain, and respiratory issues. Practice identifying the top two priorities in each case.

2. Use SMART Aim

Your aim is specific, measurable, achievable, and realistic.

3. Think Holistically

Consider psychological, social, and emotional needs too, while planning care.

4. Be Clear and Concise

You only have 14 minutes. Keep your writing clear, legible, and straight to the point. Ensure to document name, date and sign in the end.

5. Know Your Assessment Tools

Refer to tools like wound assessment or pain assessment, where appropriate.

The Planning Station in the NMC OSCE is your opportunity to show that you can think like a nurse: prioritising patient needs, creating structured goals, and planning safe, effective care. Understanding and applying these four components—Nursing Problem, Aim of Care, Interventions, and Re-evaluation Time— is the key to success.

With practice, you will not only pass the Planning Station but also become one of your strongest areas in the NMC OSCE.

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