EU funding for pan-European VN practical assessments

The RCVS, along with European partner organisations, has secured substantial Leonardo da Vinci Programme funding for a project that aims to develop a Pan-European Practical Assessment System (PEPAS) for veterinary nurses.

Eight countries are involved with the project and its inaugural conference will take place on 30-31 October at the RCVS. It is a logical follow-on from ACOVENE, the EU-funded project which has developed standards for VN training establishments across Europe.

“We are delighted with this news,” comments RCVS Head of Veterinary Nursing Libby Earle, who led the proposal team. “The PEPAS project will not only help to develop standards for OSCE*-style practical examinations on a Europe-wide basis, but it will enable us to further develop the bank of practical tasks available to our UK examiners.

The project aims to adapt our own UK OSCE assessments as it develops the pan-European model, an endorsement of the standards met by VNs in the UK.”

The first day of the conference is an open day. Topics on the agenda include the role of the OSCE examiner, how to write tasks and setting sensible standards. Contact Julie Dugmore on [email protected] if you would like to attend – however, places are limited.

The financial backing for the two-year project is drawn from the Leonardo da Vinci fund, which supports vocational training in Europe.

*Objective Structured Clinical Examinations