Professional Values and Behaviors Station
Professional Values and Behaviors is a new station which is a silent station added to NMC OSCE. This station come along with another station known as Evidence Based Practice which is also silent station of 10 minute time limit. This is a writing station and you will be given a scenario. You need to use the knowledge of the NMC Code and need to summarize the actions you would take in number of bullet points.
Cracking Professional Values and Behaviours
Luckily NMC has provided the topics which will be asked in this station. The fifteen topics which are listed on the OSCE university websites are
– Confidentiality
– Drug Error
– Possible Abuse
– Professional Confrontation
– Social Media
From November 14 2022, NMC has decided to add more topics to this stations. This includes the following,
– Bullying
– Concealment of bed status
– False representation
– Falsifying observations
– Falsifying timesheets
– Hospital food
– Impaired Peformance
– Laboratory results
– Racism
– Witnessed Abuse
Fortunately, you will be given scenario containing one of the above said topics. The sad part is that you need to memorize the marking criteria or these 15 topics in order to be successful station.
So, how can we successfully pass this station with respect to the marking criteria provided? This article is the answer. We have tried to minimize the portions you need to by heart which will make your journey easier.
Before going to each topic, lets see the framework of question in this station
Pattern of Question in Professional Values and Behaviours
In the question, you will be
– Given a scenario indicating the focused on professional value for eg. Drug Misuse.
– Asked to use the knowledge of NMC Code 2018 to consider the professional, ethical and legal implications of the situation given.
– To summarize the actions you would take in a number of bullet points.
In addition to question paper you also will be given a blank answer sheet with a space to write your name.
Now, lets see the topic one by one. We will be giving bullet points you need to write under each of the topics along with their corresponding marking criteria.
Confidentiality
In this topic, usually the scenario will be like the patient is having a diagnosis which the patient don’t want share with either partner/relative. You will be asked to give opinion on this.
Your answer will be like, I will
– Explore patient’s (name) reasons for withholding diagnosis and prognosis from partner
– Offer support and time to facilitate discussion between patient and partner respecting patients decision
– Document patient’s wishes regarding diagnosis and information sharing
– Acknowledge the partners concerns and feelings, acting with care and compassion, but explains the need to respect the patients right to privacy and confidentiality in all aspects of care
– Uphold the standards and values set out in ‘The Code’: prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust.
You should write your actions as bullet points and future tense in neat and legible hand writing with respect to the marking criteria.
Drug Error
In this topic, usually the scenario is like you or your colleague has committed a drug error. You will be asked to write down the series of actions you will do after the incident has occurred.
You should answer like, I will
– Recognize the possible consequence of error with respect to patient safety and would take measures to reduce the harm.
– Take observation of the patient, will inform nurse in charge and medical team and would seek advice
– Disclose occurrence to the patient and apologize for what have happened.
– Document events, actions and consequences in the patients record and complete an incident report.
– Reflect on the incident in the sequence of occurrence and will identify factors that may have influenced.
– Recognize this as an opportunity and would identify the need to revisit drug administration procedure.
– Uphold the standards and values set out in ‘The Code’: prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust.
Possible abuse
In this case usually the scenario will be like you are seeing/listening something which you thinks need to be escalated to your manager or local authority while your caring for your patient. You need to write the series of actions you will do with regard to the situation given. Your answer will be like, I will
– Escalate concern regarding safeguarding even if the patient is not consenting
– Act without delay as there is a risk to patient safety and will raise concern at the first reasonable opportunity.
– Raise the concern with manager or local authority safeguarding lead (as appropriate) in accordance with safeguarding policy.
– Make a clear written record of the concern (body map as appropriate) and steps taken to deal with the matter, including date and time with whom the concern was raised.
– Uphold the standards and values set out in the NMC Code.
Professional Confrontation
Usual scenario would be you will be witnessing a colleague doing something which is against NMC Code (For example taking a tablet from the drug trolley and swallowing in front of you saying that he or she has got a bad head ache). You will be asked about how you will act in the given scenario depicting series of actions.
Your answer will be like, I will
– Talk with the person and would listen to what he want to say, identifying the problem with the person and would offer assistance to the person
– Maintain appropriate eye contact and body language
– Offer explanation of the circumstance and offer apology (as appropriate) as early a possible
– Document the incident and would offer referral to senior staff member or the complaints procedure.
– Take care of own personal safety and will ensure a witness is present.
– Uphold standards and values set out in the NMC Code.
Social Media
Scenario will be usually one of your colleague posting confidential information or picture in social media. You need to give the series of actions you would initiate according to the scenario given. Your answer will be like, I will
– Understand that sharing confidential information and posing pictures of patient/peoples receiving care without their consent is inappropriate.
– I do know that its my duty to report any concerns about safety of public in their care or the public and failure to report concern will bring their fitness to practice into question and will place their registration at risk.
– Acknowledge that sharing or commenting on someone else post can be implied as endorsement or support of their point of view.
– Raise concern with manager at the most reasonable opportunity, verbally or in writing.
– Complete an incident report recording events, the step taken to deal with matter including date and with whom concern was raised.
– Uphold the standards and values set out in the NMC Code
Now we will look on to new topics added to this station from November 2022.
Bullying
Scenario will be about Miss Patricia (Pat) who is working with you as your colleague reporting to you an incident of bullying. You are asked to write your series of action to help Pat fight with bullying.
Your answer will be like, I will
– Recognize that any form of bullying and harassment is unacceptable and violates a person’s human and legal rights.
– Understand that employers have a duty of care to provide a safe and healthy working environment for their staff, and that this is not achieved if a staff member is subjected to bullying.
– Recognize the need to follow the actions set out in the local bullying and harassment policy.
– Acknowledge the need to keep to and uphold the standards and values set out in ‘The Code’: prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust. Bullying is not a behaviour that protects others or promotes trust.
– Encourage and supports Pat to report the incidents of harassment to the senior manager. Reports their own observations to the senior manager at the earliest opportunity, verbally and in writing. Recognize the need to be clear, honest and objective about the reasons for concern.
– do recognize that they may be asked by the senior manager to record a witness statement, documenting what was seen and what steps were taken to deal with the matter, including to whom the incident was reported. The witness statement must be signed and dated.
– Recognize that Pat may need psychological support from the employee counselling service, and encourages her to use this resource.
Concealment of Bed Status
Scenario will be like you are working in night as a RN in a ward. When the site manager enquire about bed status with Nurse in charge, she tells that there is no beds available for admissions. NIC does this because she want to keep bed for taking rest during night. You as a responsible RN need to write series of actions/interventions you will initiate when you come to know about this situation.
Your answer will be like, I will
– Recognize that taking rest breaks using a bed intended for patients might result in a failure to provide necessary patient care and could place patient safety at risk.
– Consider that the action taken to mislead the hospital site manager was dishonest and does not promote the fundamental tenets of truth and honesty.
– Request that the nurse in charge correctly inform the hospital site manager that the bed is empty. If this request is met with refusal, states that they would inform the site manager.
– Acknowledge their professional duty to report to management any dishonest behaviour by a colleague that could result in the care of patients being compromised and which could result in a notification to the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Failure to report concerns may bring their own fitness to practice into question and place their own registration at risk, reflecting the duty of candour.
– Raise the concern with the manager at the earliest opportunity, verbally and in writing. Recognize the need to be clear, honest and objective about the reasons for concern.
– Recognize that they may be asked by the manager to record a witness statement,documenting what was seen and which steps were taken to deal with the matter, including to whom the incident was reported. The witness statement must be signed and dated.
– Acknowledge the need to keep to and uphold the standards and values set out in ‘The Code’: priorities people, practice effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust.
False Representation
You working as a RN in a care home. You come to know that another RN working with you, who has recently joined had given false reference for getting the job. What will you do in this scenario?
Your answer will be like, I will
– Recognize that false impersonation to provide a reference is an unlawful fraudulent action.
– Acknowledge their professional duty to report the unlawful and dishonest behaviour of the nurse to the senior manager and the professional body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Failure to report concerns may bring their own fitness to practise into question and place their own registration at risk, reflecting the duty of candour.
– Recognize that the action of falsely providing a reference could indirectly create a risk to the safety of patients in the care home.
– Make a clear written record of the occurrence, including the date and with whom the concern was raised.
– Recognize that this action will need to be shared with police and will likely result in the need for a formal police statement.
– Suspend the nurse in question from work, pending investigation, removing them from any forthcoming shifts from the roster, and identifying cover.
– Identify that the act of impersonating a ward manager breaches the fundamental tenets of truth and honesty set out in ‘The Code’ and does not promote professionalism and public trust.
Falisifying Observations
Scenario will be like you are working as a RN in one of the wards. You are observing one of your colleagues is entering observations which she has not taken or monitored. What will you do in this situation?
Your answer will be like, I will
– Recognize that false impersonation to provide a reference is an unlawful fraudulent action.
– Identifiy the need for immediate action to assess all patients’ vital signs to ensure patient safety.
– Document events, actions and consequences in the patients’ records, and completes an incident report.
– Acknowledge their professional duty to report their colleague’s dishonest behaviour to their manager, which may result in a notification to the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
– Identify that the failure to report concerns may bring their own fitness to practice into question and place their own registration at risk, reflecting the duty of candour.
– Report concerns to the manager at the earliest opportunity, verbally and in writing.
– Recognize the need to be clear, honest and objective about the reasons for concern.
– Recognize that the fundamental tenets of the nursing profession are truth and honesty, and that this behaviour does not promote the standards and values set out in ‘The Code’ of promoting professionalism and trust.
Falsifying Time sheets
Time sheet is usually given by agency nurses or csw’s to get signed from Nurse In Charge for payment from their concerned agency. Time sheet will have dates, number of hours worked and the ward in which the nurse have worked. If the Nurse in charge declines to sign off this document after the shift is finished, he/she will not be paid. Some fraudulent nurse falsify their time sheet in order to get paid.
Scenario will be like you are a registered nurse working in a ward who witness/came to know about a nurse submitting false time sheet in order to get paid. What is your plan of action in this scenario?
Your answer will be like, I will
– Recognize that falsifying timesheets for personal financial gain is an unlawful fraudulent action.
– Acknowledge their professional duty to report the nurse’s unlawful and dishonest behaviours to their manager and the professional body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Failure to report concerns may bring their own fitness to practise into question and place their own registration at risk, reflecting the duty of candour.
– Verbally report concerns to the manager and the temporary staffing manager at the earliest opportunity, verbally and in writing. Recognizes the need to be clear, honest and objective about the reasons for concern.
– Make a clear written incident report of the occurrence, including the date and with whom the concern was raised.
– Recognize that they may be asked to make a formal witness statement for the NHS fraud team and the police.
– Recognize that the fundamental tenets of the nursing profession are truth and honesty, and that this behaviour does not promote the standards and values set out in ‘The Code’ for promoting professionalism and trust.
Hospital Food
Taking or consuming NHS or Hospital Property is prohibited and constitute to theft. Scenario for this topic is usually like you are witnessing one of your colleagues is taking and consuming food meant for patients under your care in the ward you are working. What is your plan of action in this scenario?
Your answer will be like, I will
– Recognize that taking or consuming NHS or hospital property is prohibited and constitutes theft.
– Acknowledge their professional duty to report their colleague’s dishonest behaviour to their senior manager, which may result in notification to the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Failure to report concerns may bring their own fitness to practice into question and may place their own registration at risk, reflecting the duty of candour.
– Attempts to locate a replacement meal that the patient is happy with. If this is not possible, considers that it may compromise good nutritional care.
– Raises concern with the senior manager at the earliest opportunity, verbally or in writing. Recognize the need to be clear, honest and objective about the reasons for concern.
– Recognize that they may be asked by a senior manager to record a witness
statement, documenting what was seen and what steps were taken to deal with the matter, including to whom the incident was reported. The witness statement must be signed and dated.
– Acknowledge the need to keep to and uphold the standards and values set out in ‘The Code’: prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust.
Impaired Performance
Usual scenario is Dana is one of the nurses working with you in the same ward. She comes to work under the influence of alcohol compromising patient safety. You are aware of this and you need to write down series of actions or recommendations from your side.
Your answer will be like, I will
– Recognize that their colleague’s social behaviour has created the potential for patient harm, as Dana is not able to practice safely and effectively.
– Acknowledge the requirement to uphold the reputation of the profession and display behaviours that promote public trust.
– Recognize the professional duty to report any concerns that may result in the care of patients being compromised, and that the failure to report concerns may bring their own fitness to practice into question and place their own registration at risk, reflecting the duty of candour.
– Raise the concern with a manager at the earliest opportunity, verbally and in writing.
– Recognize the need to be clear, honest and objective about the reasons for concern.
– Consider that their manager may ask them to record an incident report/witness statement, documenting what they have seen and which steps were taken to deal with the matter, including to whom the incident was reported. The witness statement must be signed and dated.
– Takes into consideration their responsibility for the safety of their colleague,
considering the effects of alcohol on their ability to work and drive home.
– Consider that their colleague may need further support in dealing with an alcohol misuse problem.
– Acknowledge the need to keep to and uphold the standards and values set out in ‘The Code’: prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust.
Laboratory results
Scenario – Your colleague is asking for laboratory results of one of her neighbours who is admitted to hospital as your patient. What will be your advise on this scenario?
Your answer will be like, I will
– Outline their colleague’s professional responsibility to respect a patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality in all aspects of care and the requirement to act with honesty and integrity at all times (the duty of candour).
– Reassure the colleague that the paramedics would share any concerns about her neighbour’s welfare with other healthcare professionals.
– Recognize that accessing patient data without need or consent is a breach of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which may incur a financial penalty and also poses a question as to their colleague’s professional suitability.
– Acknowledge the colleague’s concern and feelings, and that they are acting with care and compassion. However, explains the need to respect the patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality.
– Acknowledge the need to keep to and uphold the standards and values set out in ‘The Code’: prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust.
Racism
Scenario – You come to see a racist comment posted publically on a social media platform by one of the registered nurses working with you. What you will need to do in this situation?
Your answer will be like, I will
– Recognize that Piper is not adhering to the fundamental tenets of ‘The Code’ of promoting the health, wellbeing, rights, privacy and the dignity of individuals.
– Recognize that the action of posting racially abusive comments demonstrates personal attitudinal views that deviate from the values of the nursing profession.
– Acknowledge their professional duty to report Piper’s unlawful racist behaviour to their manager and professional body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Failure to report concerns may bring their own fitness to practise into question and place their own registration at risk, reflecting the duty of candour.
– Identify that, although there are no clinical concerns about Piper, patients may be put at risk because of the racist attitudes she holds.
– Report the post to the social media platform and ‘unfriends’ the colleague to dissociate from them.
– Recognize that the employer may share the event with the police and so they may be required to make a formal statement.
Witnessed Abuse
Scenario – You are witnessing a colleague of yours is using unsafe and clinically inappropriate technique to manoeuvre the patient up the bed which may result in patient harm. What will you do in this scenario?
Your answer will be like, I will
– Recognize that their colleague has used an unsafe and clinically inappropriate moving and handling technique to manoeuvre the patient up the bed.
– Recognize that the patient may have suffered physical harm by being forcefully moved up the bed, undertakes a full assessment, and ensures that the patient is comfortable.
– Identify that the tone and delivery of their colleague’s words were aggressive and inappropriate and caused the patient emotional distress. Communicates with compassion and empathy to reassure the patient.
– Acknowledge their own professional duty to report the colleague’s behaviours to their manager, which may result in notification to the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Failure to report concerns may bring their own fitness to practise into question and place their own registration at risk, reflecting the duty of candour.
– Raises the concern with a manager at the earliest opportunity, verbally and in writing.
– Recognize the need to be clear, honest and objective about the reasons for concern.
– Document what was seen and the steps taken to deal with the matter, including to whom the incident was reported. Identifies that the witness statement must be signed and dated.
– Acknowledge the need to keep to and uphold the standards and values set out in ‘The Code’: prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety, and promote professionalism and trust.
Take away points
To conclude, after reading above scenarios and plan of actions, you have seen that the actions are set in a specified manner which is
– Recognizing what has happened
– Acknowledging mistakes, offering apology and finding learning possibility
– Escalating concerns appropriately
– Documenting the events happened and actions taken
– Upholding the standards and values set out in the NMC Code
So in case you are not remembering the original marking criteria in each cases, at least try to remember the following words and write your bullet points accordingly specific to scenario.
Remember ‘RAEDU’ – Recognise, Acknowledge, Escalate, Document and Uphold
Conclusion
Basically, professional values and Behavior station is a simple, silent writing station. In order to pass this station, you atleast need to remember the mnemonic ‘RAEDU’. Other than that, you also will need to write neat and legibly as well
Also, have a look on our youtube video (1) on this topic – Click Here.
Hope this article helps you in someway to pass your NMC OSCE, please do share this article if you feel so. Thank you