Reason for the project:In a previous Leonardo pilot project (DASVENT) an accreditation system for veterinary nurse programmes has been set up successfully. Thanks to this system, it has become easier for veterinary nurses graduated from an accredited programme to find a job abroad. As part of this project, an agreed set of practical learning outcomes (the Dossier of European Competencies) was developed. These underpin all accredited programmes, bringing about a standard baseline approach to veterinary nurse clinical training. However, whilst the system evaluates the quality of delivered programmes, it does not call for a standardised approach to competence assessment. This means that assessment strategies vary across programmes and some place limited emphasis on practical competence assessment. The assessment of safe practical performance is paramount in veterinary nurse training and education. A standardisation of the assessment strategies will increase the possibilities for students to follow part of their education programme in a foreign country. To be able to do this, and also make the competence level of these nurses transparent for all employers, we want to create a Pan European Practical Assessment system.Main aims and objectives:Our main aim is to create a Pan European Practical Assessment system for Veterinary nurses in Europe. First of all, we will compare the existing national (or local) assessment systems. We will explore the possibilities to objectively and uniformly assess the competences and / or performance criteria (learning outcomes) of the Dossier of European competences (developed by DASVENT).The RCVS in the UK has developed a reliable, objective and transparent practical assessment system, which could readily be adapted to the Dossier of European competences. The existing “OSCE” (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) schemes from the RCVS will be evaluated, adapted to the Dossier of European Competences, and translated into the languages of the partners. Furthermore, new “OSCE” assessment tasks will be developed where needed to meet the learning outcomes of the Dossier of European Competences.Characteristics of the partnership:The partnership consists of employer organisations (FECAVA and RCVS), colleges with veterinary nurse programmes, most of them accredited by Acovene and institutes that can supervise the quality of the exams (RCVS and CITO under subcontract).Outcomes:- An overview and comparison of the existing national / local assessment systems within Europe.- A Pan European practical assessment system, which can be implemented by ACOVENE accredited programmes. The system will include a pool of trained examiners from different countries.- Five participating programmes will execute a pilot with the developed assessment system.- Employers in all participating countries are made aware of the value of this Pan European exam.Impact:The envisaged impact will be significant. - The five colleges that have run a pilot will be able to implement the assessment system immediately.- The two colleges that have helped with the development will be able to implement the assessment system after the project.- Students from the participating colleges will find it easier to do part of their training within a foreign programme and have their learning outcomes recognised.- Other colleges within Europe can opt to implement the system after the project.- Employers throughout Europe will now know exactly the competence level of a veterinary nurse, and will thus be much more willing to employ him or her. Shortages of veterinary nurses in some countries and a surplus in others can now be more easily solved.