<h4>ABSTRACT</h4>
<P>This study proposed to develop an Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE) for senior undergraduate nursing students. This evaluation process uses a simulated and standardized format to measure synthesis of knowledge and clinical skills. The benefit of OSCE is that it provides a formative evaluation for both students and the educational institute. The study included developing case studies, identifying or developing assessment tools, hiring and training standardized patients, obtaining a testing site, and analyzing data. A total of 49 students were assessed on three of six patient simulation stations and one of two nonpatient stationary stations. Both formative and summative evaluation of the students’ performance on knowledge, application of nursing process and judgment, and interview skills were conducted and used for individual feedback, as well as program evaluation. The faculty, students, and standardized patients found the OSCE to be a worthwhile experience. </P>
<h4>AUTHORS</h4>
<P>Received: January 14, 2005</P>
<P>Accepted: September 9, 2005</P>
<P>Dr. Rentschler is Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, School of Nursing, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina; Mr. Eaton and Ms. Cappiello are Clinical Associate Professors, and Ms. McWilliam is Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire; and Ms. McNally is a Family Nurse Practitioner, Frisbee Hospital, Emergency Department, Rochester, New Hampshire. </P>
<P>This study was funded by the Office of Academic Affairs, University of New Hampshire.</P>
<P>Address correspondence to Dorothy Devine Rentschler, PhD, RN, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, School of Nursing, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858; e-mail: <a href="mailto:Rentschlerd@mail.ecu.edu">Rentschlerd@mail.ecu.edu</a>.</P>
