Innovation in Nursing Training

The St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences has met the challenge of growing student numbers in the bachelor degree programme Healthcare and Nursing^PLUS and raised the academic nursing education to a new level at the same time: Together with SIMStation, the leading provider of simulation software, the St. Pölten UAS has developed a tailored OSCE system (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) that digitalises examinations, minimises the administrative burden, and ensures transparent and efficient training.

New Requirements for Higher Education

Every year, up to 185 new students enrol in the St. Pölten UAS’ study programme Healthcare and Nursing^PLUS at the study locations in St. Pölten and Mauer. Traditional methods have reached their limits, especially when it comes to efficiently teaching practical nursing skills in combination with theoretical know-how. As a consequence, it is up to the higher education institutions to adjust their educational approaches to the current circumstances by optimising their practical examination processes. Together with SIMStation, the St. Pölten UAS has developed an OSCE system (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) that lives up to the specific needs of the higher education institution and the requirements of the new curriculum.
 
“We are very proud to be the first higher education institution in Austria to carry out skill acquisition and OSCE in a fully digitalised manner and differentiated according to partial competencies – a groundbreaking innovation that sets new standards in academic nursing education and efficiently prepares our students for their future role as professional nursing staff. In many respects, it was the best decision to implement skill training and OSCE in a fully digitalised manner. In SIMStation, we found an excellent and innovative partner that was ready to think far outside the box with us”, says Gabriella Szelesi from the St. Pölten UAS’ Department of Health Sciences, OSCE project manager and responsible for the ‘third place of learning’.

Digital Solution for Competence-Oriented Teaching

In close coordination with the team of the study programme Healthcare and Nursing^PLUS, examination processes were reconsidered and digitalised. In this context, special attention was paid to user-friendliness in order to minimise the administrative burden. The highest possible ease of use is provided for students during skill training, and for examiners in the course of OSCE.
 
The software development thus encompassed not only the digitalisation of the automated OSCE examinations, but also the integration of peer-to-peer assessments. These allow the students to acquire and assess their practical skills independently along a digitalised checklist of actions in addition to structured instruction offered by nursing experts.
 
“The successful digitalisation of peer-to-peer assessments and of the examination format OSCE at the St. Pölten UAS in cooperation with SIMStation demonstrates how innovative digital solutions can improve competence-oriented teaching methods. In this context, the St. Pölten UAS sends a strong, Europe-wide signal for excellence in future-oriented learning and examination approaches with a strong practical relevance”, emphasises Andreas Kaya-Fill, CPCO (Chief Product and Customer Success Officer) of SIMStation.

New Standard in Academic Nursing Education

With the introduction of the tailored SIMStation OSCE system in the summer semester 2024, examination processes at the St. Pölten UAS were permanently changed: Exams are now held digitally – entirely without paper – which makes them more transparent and comprehensible for students. In addition, the students can now access their exams immediately after their completion, and the integrated feedback mechanisms allow for clear and detailed feedback on their performance.

Studying Healthcare and Nursing^PLUS

In their studies, the students acquire the necessary competencies and knowledge for an activity in the healthcare and nursing sector. Moreover, they have the option to complete the continuing education programme Preclinical Treatment and Care on top of their study programme.
 
The application period for the summer semester 2025 has been extended until 24 November 2024. 
Further information on the bachelor degree programme and on the application process is available on our website.

About SIMStation

SIMStation is a leading provider of AV systems for simulation and training in the healthcare sector. Since 2011, the company has been developing user-friendly software that enables the comprehensive live control, recording, and transmission of simulations and promotes the decisive competencies. Examination and assessment tools support teachers in designing efficient and flexible educational processes. With headquarters in Vienna and Miami and a team of more than 50 experts, the developed solutions are used in simulation centres and medical institutions worldwide. The CEOs are Joachim Hilbrand and Steven Matthews.

• Further information on SIMStation 
• Further information on the “SIMStation Exam Suite” can be found here