Outcomes-based assessment (OBA)

OBA is the deliberate collection of evidence of student learning based on results. It gives a mark relative to the results (criterion-referenced) rather than other students.

Outcome-based systems start with accreditation requirements in educational programs, where it is important that all graduates have minimum standards of competence and are not only ranked relative to their peers.

A variety of political and technological issues have followed the introduction of outcome-based assessment and reporting frameworks in educational programs, including disputes between the summative and formative aims of the assessment and concerns surrounding the validity and reliability of teacher-built assessment tasks.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBA) performs functions as established by the National Law of the Health Practitioner Regulation as in effect in each state and territory. In Australia, the NMBA governs nursing and midwifery practice, and one of its main functions is to protect the public. The NMBA does this through the creation of standards, codes, and guidelines that together define the conditions for nurses and midwives in Australia to practice properly and safely.

In March 2020, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) replaced the previous bridging program pathway with an OBA for Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives (IQNMs). The new model of assessment includes:

the online Self-check for all IQNMs
an orientation program for all IQNMs who are advised to continue with the assessment process, and
an OBA for some IQNMs

The eligible international nurses will have to undertake two examinations called NCLEX-RN and OSCE (Objective structured clinical examination) to attain nursing registration in Australia. OBA is a two-stage assessment process:

Stage one: It is a cognitive evaluation consisting of a computer-based multiple-choice question review and an objective, standardized clinical examination. OBA is a two-step evaluation process: Stage one is a cognitive evaluation consisting of a computer-based multiple-choice question review and an objective, standardized clinical examination.
Stage two: It is a behavioural assessment of the expertise, abilities, and competence of IQNM as an equivalence of a graduate-level Australian nurse or midwife, measured in the form of an objective standardized clinical evaluation (OSCE).

Fees

Upon completion of the Self-Check, IQNMs advised continuing with the IQNM process must pay a non-refundable evaluation fee of AUD640. AHPRA utilizes this fee in checking IQNM documentation given and for the orientation. The NCLEX-RN registration fee is USD 200, plus an additional international scheduling fee of USD 150. The test is administered through Pearson VUE test centres by the National Council State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).