RCSI Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Coláiste Ríoga na Máinleá in Éirinn

KERAL INDIA MAY 2016 VCS

RCSI APTITUDE TEST for OVERSEAS
NURSES

• MARIA NEARY
• PROGRAMME COORDINATOR
• FACULTY of NURSING &
MIDWIFERY
• RCSI
SEMINAR HOSTED BY

• VISTA CAREER SOLUTIONS (VCS)

• 48, BRANDON SQUARE
• WATERVILLE
• BLANCHARDSTOWN
• DUBLIN-15
• PH:0894288675; 015157626
• Email: director@vcsnursing.com
• www.vcsnursing.com
• FACE BOOK: VISTA CAREER SOLUTIONS
Developing a Quality Assured MCQ

• First test post regulatory review is a test of candidate knowledge

• Operations and Education Manager Faculty of Nursing and
Midwifery and a part time OSCE coordinator developed the draft
items, items were subjected to internal review within the Faculty
• This work was supported by staff from the Health Professions
Education Centre
• The work was informed by the RCSI Policy on developing MCQ
items (Quality enhancement office)
• The development was supported by Learning Technologists and the
MCQ is housed on the RCSI Moodle platform
Developing a Quality Assured MCQ

• MCQs developed based on the syllabus/indicative content of the R&S

(NMBI), tested for reliability and content/face validity-reviewed by
Quality Enhancement Office

• The items were subjected to an External review by the CGFNS in the

United States

• Appointment of a Programme coordinator commencing 14/09/15 (part

time) to manage programme.

• Tested with a cohort of new Irish Graduates/registrants (stats will be

provided later- providing a comparative analysis between test scores of
Irish Graduates and international candidates)

• Learning Technology and IT support at development and

implementation- fundamental
Developing Quality Assured OSCEs

• There is a significant body of national & international evidence

affirming the use of OSCEs in Nursing and other health professional
education

• OSCEs are used for registration assessments for Medicine,

Pharmacy and Nursing (Prescribing) registration programmes in
RCSI

• The Faculty was supported in the development phase by the School

of Pharmacy and the Student and Academic Regulatory Affairs
Department

• The process involved an Internal drafting of evidence based

OSCES- based on R&S and Domains of Professional Competence
Developing Quality Assured OSCEs
• In this Overseas Aptitude Test assessment process OSCEs are
employed post knowledge assessment to assess competence,
professional skills, attitudes and the application of knowledge to
practice within the Irish context.

• Subjecting them to internal scrutiny within the Faculty

• The OSCEs have been reviewed by about 60 CNS/ANPs working in

practice across three separate training sessions

• Subjecting the OSCEs to external review by the CGFNS in the

United States
REGISTERING AS A NURSE
IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

• FULL REGULATORY ASSESSMENT FROM THE NMBI

• REGISTER OR
• REFUSE REGISTRATION OR
• MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE RCSI APTITUDE
TEST
OR
• MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE ADAPTATION &
ASSESSMENT
AT COMPRISES TWO PARTS

• PART 1: THEORY OR KNOWLEDGE TEST

• PART 2: PRACTICAL OR OSCE TEST

ATTEMPTS

• Two attempts (that is, one repeat) will be

allowed at each of the two parts of the
Aptitude Test
• The Theory Test must be repeated in full
• The particular competency/competencies
failed in the Practical Test must be
repeated
THEORY TEST

• The Theory Test consists of a supervised on-line

assessment of professional knowledge and
understanding. A method of assessment known as
multiple choice questions (MCQs) is used.

• You are required to answer up to 150 questions over a

three-hour period.

• Each question has four possible answers and you are

required to give only ONE answer to each question.

• A minimum pass mark of 50% must be achieved in the

Theory Test.
Sample Theory Test Questions

• A rationale is given to assist with

revision for the Aptitude Theory Test
but applicant is not required to
provide a rationale in the Theory Test
For sample theory test questions,
click here.
PRACTICAL TEST

• A methodology known as Objective

Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is
used. OSCE is acknowledged
internationally as an assessment
methodology that enables the applicant to
demonstrate competence in a simulated
practice setting, known as a station
OSCEs

• Assessment of competence for

practice through a range of OSCEs
includes a number of different
simulated stations
• A station is set up as a clinical setting
and has all the necessary equipment
OSCEs

• Applicant completes a minimum

of 14 stations, with each station
assessing different competencies
pertaining to general nursing
OSCEs

• Applicant spends ten minutes at

each station carrying out the care
as per the Station Descriptor
• There are a number of aims and
requirements expected to be
achieved
OSCEs

• Two assessors at each station

• Some stations may have a
mannequin
• Stations may have one of the
assessors acting as a patient or a
relative or a staff member
OSCEs

• The type of each station will be

either a scenario or a technical
skill and the type of station is
indicated on the Station
Descriptor Sheet
OSCEs

• Descriptor Sheet
• Outside Station
• Inside Station
Revision & Preparation

• NMBI Requirements & Standards

• Guided Reading
Documentation Required as Uploads

• Evidence of Payment of Theory

Test Fee
• NMBI Communication
• Biographical/Photograph Page of
Passport
• Photograph
Documentation to Theory Test

• Passport

• AWS Letter of Approval

• CRC
Application Process

• On-line only

• Rapid Response
Before Applying

• Eligible to take the RCSI Aptitude

• Ready/Prepared to take the RCSI
Aptitude Test
• Interested in taking the RCSI
Aptitude Test
Aids

• Photographs

• Sample Documentation
Tenet

• We at RCSI continue to be
responsive and aim to address all
queries in a timely manner
• Examples: Application Process;
Theory Results; Practical Results;
Results to NMBI; EMails
Evaluation

• On-going as at present

• PLUS
RCSI STAFF

• THOMAS KEARNS
• EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

• PAMELA PEPPARD
• PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATOR
End Point

• Essential Reference for Applicants

http://www.rcsi.ie/overseasaptitudetest

Maria Neary
Project Coordinator
RCSI