Alberta Registered Nurses Assessment Program (ARNAP)

The assessment room is equipped with:

• Blood pressure cuff
• Hand sanitizer
• Examiner
• Other station props related to the station scenario for examinee use or comment
• Standardized client

*A standardized client is an individual trained to replicate a client's signs and symptoms in a reliable and consistent manner. Treat them as you would a real client in a real clinical environment.

Two minutes of reading time

On the wall outside each clinical station there are examinee instructions that may include the following information:

• Client's name
• Client's age
• Location of where the scenario is taking place (i.e., office, clinic, emergency room)
• Task examinee is asked to perform (i.e., physical examination, history taking, etc.)

Examinees will have two minutes to read the instructions outside the stations and make notes in their booklet (provided).

An announcement will be made to let examinees know when they can enter the station. The examinee instructions will also be available in the exam room.

Seven minutes of total interaction time with the standardized client. 

Examinees will have seven minutes to interact with the standardized client and complete the required task(s) listed on the instructions.
During the client encounter, examinees will be assessed on the following:

• Health history and data collection
• Physical assessment
• Implementation of care strategies
• Responsibility and integrity
• Communication
• Collaboration with the client

A standardized client is an individual trained to replicate a client's signs and symptoms in a reliable and consistent manner. Treat them as you would a real client in a real clinical environment.

Examinees are required to explain to the station examiner exactly what they are doing during the assessment of the client. Remain focused and don't forget that the examiner will be scoring your clinical skills and process. Successful examinees will be able to demonstrate their clinical ability with the client in a natural, focused, professional manner.

Examiners may move around the room to get the best view while you demonstrate your skills. Examiners may also provide information to examinees such as blood pressure results or vital signs if they are directed to do so on their scoring sheet and only after the examinee has initiated the examination maneuver.

At the six-minute mark, examinees will hear an announcement indicating that they have one minute remaining with the standardized client. This is a good time to provide a summary of the points covered with the client.

The client encounter is followed by a structured oral interview during which the examiner may ask up to four questions about the presenting case. During this time, the standardized client will no longer engage with the examinee. During the examiner oral questions, examinees will be assessed on:

• Analysis and interpretation of findings
• Nursing care plan development
• Prioritization
• Evaluation and monitoring of care
• Collaboration with the healthcare team
• Ethical safety/advocacy
• Legal obligations

Exit and proceed to the next station

An announcement will be made to indicate when time is up. Examinees will be asked to leave the station immediately, move to the next station and begin reading the examinee instructions. Examinees are not allowed to enter or leave a station before they are told to do so.