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💚Clinical education, including OSCE (IEN/RTP) 💜 Highly experienced UK RN & educator💡Adult, LD & MH OSCE support - online and face to face 🤝 Post OSCE preceptorship/induction, learning & career development, including interview support & more.

30/08/2026

I know OSCE and CBT preparation can be a real financial stretch for a lot of nurses 💜, especially when you're also managing registration fees, possibly relocation costs and just everyday life. So I wanted to share something useful.

Nursing and Midwifery Council - NMC provide free preparation resources directly on their website, for all fields, including Nursing Associates. ✅

If your budget is tight, please know that free does not mean lesser.

It simply means you need time ⏳, a bit of creativity and a whole lot of self discipline to make the most of it.

Giving yourself time is important, particularly for Adult OSCE, as it has a lot of stations to prepare for.

There is no shortcut, hack or trick that replaces steady, structured preparation, and rushing rarely serves you well. The same is true whatever field you're preparing in.

Nurses who are committed and disciplined in their self study can do really well using free resources alongside a few months of dedicated preparation. I've seen it happen, and I believe it could happen for you too. 🌱

Free OSCE preparation materials for Adult, Mental Health, Midwifery, Children's and Learning Disabilities nursing are here:
🔗 https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/toc/toc-nursing-and-midwifery/resources/

For Nursing Associates, the Test of Competence page is here:
🔗 https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/toc/na-toc/

For the CBT, free official practice tests are available directly through Pearson VUE, with no booking required:
🔗 https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/nmc/practicetests.html

Any updates to the exam are also announced on the NMC pages above, so it's worth checking back regularly as you prepare. 📌

If you feel you would benefit from mentorship, structure or 1:1 classes and support alongside your self study, I only have a handful of spaces left for 2026 and am taking booking for 2027.

Wherever you are on this journey, be patient with yourself. You're doing something hard, and it matters. 💚

~Olivia

Profession before business. Nurse and colleague first, always.

28/08/2026

What a way to end the week! Two more OSCE passes to celebrate, one Adult field, one Mental Health field.

I am so proud of both of these nurses. 💜💚

Two different fields, two different exam days, two different sets of nerves to manage, but the same result: they put the time and the work in, and it paid off.

This is the part of my job I love most. Not the paperwork or the planning, but this moment right here, when someone I have worked with gets to call themselves a UK registered nurse.

To anyone reading this who is still in the middle of their own preparation, your turn is coming. Keep going - you can do it!

Huge congratulations to you both. So well deserved!

~Olivia

26/08/2026

Sitting your NMC OSCE soon? Here is what I always tell my learners about looking after yourself around exam day.

The night before, set yourself a revision cut off time (8pm is a good rule of thumb) and stop there. Last minute cramming tends to create doubt, not confidence.

Get your uniform, documents and transport sorted in advance so the morning feels calm rather than rushed.

On the day, eat and drink even if your stomach is in knots, it is a long day.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the test centre and arrive at least 15 minutes early.

Once you are there, a simple reminder can help: "I am already a nurse and I can do this."

If nerves are getting the better of you, Mind has some good relaxation techniques:

🔗https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/what-can-i-do-to-help-myself-cope/relaxing-and-calming-exercises/.

Rescue Remedy is another one that a lot of my learners swear by, and it is easy to pick up at most chemists.

Wishing you the very best for your OSCE.

I have a handful of spaces left for 1:1 mentorship and teaching support in 2026, after which I will be taking bookings for Jan 2027 onwards. If you would like to find out how I can support you, get in touch for a free consultation call.

Profession before business. Nurse first, always.

~Olivia

23/08/2026

Only two NMC OSCE spaces left for 2026.

If you're an internationally educated or return to practice nurse working towards your NMC OSCE, my support could help you.

I offer 1:1 support, fully online, built around your field (Adult, LD, MH or Nursing Associate), your exam date, and where you actually need help. Not rote learning content, real preparation for safe UK practice and exam success.

If you're in or travelling to Northern Ireland, face to face sessions are available too, once you've completed your online training with me.

Nearly 27 years in health and social care. Over 500 nurses supported since 2019. I keep my numbers small so every learner gets my full attention.

Once these two spaces are filled, I'm closed to new clients until January 2027.

Find out more. Send me a message or email [email protected].

~ Olivia

Profession before business. Nurse first, always. 💜

17/08/2026

💚Taking a break💜

I'm taking a break and will be off from now until 24th August. I acknowledge every enquiry I receive during this time and will reply personally on my return.

If you're enquiring about NMC OSCE preparation (Adult, LD, MH or Nursing Associate), clinical/social care education, or nurse consultancy support, share a little about how I can help you, along with your intended start date and any timeline or OSCE date in mind. I'll send over costs and details, and we can arrange a free consultation call to make sure I'm the right fit for your needs.

🗓 Availability update:

NMC OSCE one to one teaching (online or face to face): fully booked until October, with limited spaces left for 2026. Waiting list open for cancellations.

Have a great week!

~Olivia

Profession before business. Nurse first, always.

15/08/2026

Want my support for your OSCE in 2026?

I keep my numbers small on purpose because I want to understand and support each nurse individually.

I've spent nearly 27 years in UK health and social care. I started as a healthcare assistant, and later became a nurse. Always adjusting and learning, just like you are.

Since 2019 I've delivered NMC OSCE preparation across a wide range of formats and settings, from 1:1 mentorship to small group sessions, working with nurses at every stage and from every background. To date, I have supported just over 500 nurses to OSCE success.

I support Adult, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Nursing Associate OSCE only.

I know what it feels like to be one face in a crowd, hoping someone notices you're struggling before it's too late.

So I don't want anyone I work with to feel like that. Not in a training room, and certainly not walking into a high stakes exam.

Theory builds competence. Practice builds confidence. And learner-centred preparation can go a long way to supporting both.

That's also why I offer a free consultation call to every nurse before they book with me.

Not a sales call. A chance for me to understand where you actually are, what you're finding hard, and whether we're the right fit for each other.

Here's where things stand for 2026:

→ September is fully booked
→ October is almost fully booked
→ Only a handful of spaces left in November
→ I won't be taking on new OSCE learners between 30 November and 4 January

I'm taking time off from 17th to 23rd August, so if you get in touch next week you'll hear back from me when I'm back at work.

Planning 1:1 support with me soon? Get in touch and let's have that conversation first.

📩 [email protected]

~ Olivia

Profession before business. Nurse first, always.

21/07/2026

Learning is an agreement. And ultimately, you're the one doing the work. 💜

I can give you the structure. The stages, the guidance, the homework, the feedback, the corrections. I can turn up every single time, fully invested in you passing.

But here's the truth. I can't sit the OSCE in your place. I can't practice your skills while you're at work. And I can't make up for the preparation that didn't happen once results day comes.

That's not me stepping back. It's just how learning works, and what I've seen again and again after many years of supporting nurses through their OSCE.

The candidates who pass first time aren't always the ones who started strongest. Often, they're simply the ones who did the homework, trusted the stages even when they felt slow, and showed up for their side of the agreement, every single time.

Communication matters too. Life is a rollercoaster, and I know that better than most.

If something's getting in the way, work, family, confidence, whatever it is, please talk to me. If I can suggest something helpful or support you through it, I always will. I just can't help with what I don't know about.

All I ask is that you do your best, and that starts with planning your preparation and exam timeline with care.

I'll always hold up my end of the deal. I hope you'll hold up yours too 😊

~ Olivia

📍 Where things stand right now:

Live classes are booked till end of August, with some September spaces left.

1 guided OSCE mentorship space also left for August, self-paced with the same level of support.

And a heads up if you're planning ahead for 2026, I'm not taking new clients from 30th November to 4th January 2027, so get in touch early to secure your spot.

📱 WhatsApp: 07492 945814
📧 Email: [email protected]

20/07/2026

Someone asked me this week if there's any wiggle room on price. Not the first time I've been asked, so let's have an honest chat about it.

My packages stay the same for everyone, but that never means generic. Every session is 1:1, every plan properly tailored to you, built on results and feedback from nearly 500 nurses I've supported since 2019.

Come to me after another provider, or after trying self study, and need some support for a resit? My resit quotes are bespoke too, built around your stations and exactly what you need.

I do run offers now and then, just on my own terms and timing, so it's always worth keeping an eye out.

Here's how I think about it. You wouldn't haggle at the supermarket checkout, or with a big provider running group sessions off a fixed curriculum. When I say independent, I mean it. It's just you and me, working through where you're struggling.

Where I can flex is how you pay, not how much. A payment plan is available on my longer mentorship and structured programmes. And if there's something specific, communication, session structure, anything that would make this easier for you, I genuinely want to know.

Profession before business, nurse first, always.

That includes being honest about what I can offer, and holding my boundary on what I can't.

Keep an eye out for offers, and have a fab week 😊

~ Olivia

📅 Availability

I cover Adult, LD, MH and NEW Nursing Associate OSCE fields.

Live classes booked till end of August, a few September spaces left.

1 guided OSCE mentorship space also left for August, self-paced with the same level of support.

🗓Planning ahead for 2026? I'm not taking new clients between 30th November and 4th January 2027.

18/07/2026

I will not be taking on any new NMC OSCE clients between 30th November and 4th January 📆

Yes, I am fully aware it is July. Yes, I am fully aware I am talking about the C word while everyone else is still deciding whether it is too hot for a cardigan (it so is 🥵).

I feel a bit ridiculous even typing this, a bit like the shops putting out their extremely early selection boxes in September. But my diary does not care about the season, so here we are.

To be clear, I am not disappearing on you 😊 I will still be teaching all the way through December, just focused on my existing learners rather than taking on new ones.

After nearly three decades in health and social care, I have learned that spreading myself too thin helps nobody, least of all the person sitting across from me trying to get through their OSCE prep.

And here is the honest bit. After a lifetime of being a shift working household, we really treasure Christmas. In my house it is the very best craic, chaotic and just lovely. I would not trade it for anything, but it does mean I need to protect the time I have and plan ahead properly.

So if you are thinking about booking in as a new NMC OSCE support client, get in touch now and I will get you sorted, either on the waiting list or booked ahead, depending on when you are aiming for.

New start bookings will be back open from 4th January. And once we get a bit closer to the end of 2026, my 2027 bookings and waiting list will open too.

💌 A wee heads up, I am often booked 2 to 4 months in advance these days, so it is worth planning ahead as I rarely have last minute spaces.

Give me a shout on WhatsApp 07492945814 or email [email protected] to arrange a free, no obligation chat.

~ Olivia

09/07/2026

Is NMC OSCE prep its own subject, separate from "real" nursing? 🤔

Nope.

And I think that belief is where a lot of the stress comes from.

I've sat with candidates who could recite the marking criteria word for word, but froze when I asked a question or why. Some memorised the steps, missed the reasoning, and treated the OSCE like a performance instead of a reflection of who they already are.

Here's the truth: every OSCE station is built on nursing fundamentals. Assessment. Communication. Medication safety. Clinical reasoning. 💚

None of that is OSCE-specific. It's just nursing.

Research backs this up too. Treating information as separate, isolated facts (instead of knowledge you already hold or just need to refresh) has been linked to worse clinical decision-making. And high stress before the OSCE? Shown to impair focus and confuse performance. 📚

So I don't ask candidates "what does the marking criteria say?"

I ask: "what would good, safe practice look like at this bedside?"

Only one of those questions will still be with you once you're registered. 💜

Go easy on yourself. NMC registration isn't a race.

~ Olivia

📚 References and resources:
Exploring the challenges and needs of nursing students in relation to OSCE exam stress: A qualitative study.
🔗https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12258589/

Cognitive load theory in workplace-based learning from the viewpoint of nursing students.
🔗https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11186199/

Current availability
NMC OSCE 1:1 classes - Now taking bookings for September onwards.

Address

Bangor

Telephone

+447492945814

Website

https://www.avant-gardelearning.co.uk/

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