Using objective structured clinical examinations to meet clinical competence evaluation challenges with distance education students

Purpose. This study aims to describe the use of modified objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) developed to address the identified educational need for formative advanced practice psychiatric mental health (PMH) student assessments and focused learning experiences within a modified nursing distance education program that serves advanced practice nurse PMH students from rural/underserved areas. Conclusion. OSCEs represent a practical solution to the challenges of clinical competency evaluation in psychiatric nursing distance education programs. Practice implications. OSCEs add a supportive evaluation layer to the precepted experience. This increases the availability of PMH nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist distance education programs focused on improving advanced PMH nursing services in rural and underserved areas.