The newly developed Veterinary Nursing Day One Competences embed greater emphasis on professionalism and accountability. In turn, there is now an assessment tool in the new version of the Nursing Progress Log (NPL) which is designed to aid veterinary nurse students in the acquisition of skills in self-evaluation and self-development within a veterinary team, which should be incorporated in their professional practice throughout their careers. The assessment tool identifies four practice levels: Practices with constant supervision, practices with assistance, practices with decreasing supervision and practices independently. At the point of registration students should reach Level 4/ Practices independently across all criteria within the professional behaviour evaluation.
Clinical coaches that have supported BSc and L3 Diploma placement students from The College of Animal Welfare will recognise that this new evaluation tool is not dissimilar to the Behavioural Tool that you have been completing for many years and this will not change. BSc students studying with The College of Animal Welfare will not be required to complete the new NPL version but will be required to continue with the Behavioural Tool. Second year Diploma students (employed or placement) will also be required to complete the Behavioural Tool and to bring this in line with the new NPL evaluation we are reducing the frequency of this to mirror the new NPL, requiring it to be completed around 10%, 40% and 80% NPL completion. Both the Professional Behaviour Evaluation and the Behavioural Tool will be subject to audit and failure to achieve Level 4/ Practices independently may delay RCVS registration.
If you have any queries about either the Professional Behaviour Evaluation or the Behavioural Tool please do not hesitate to contact your Quality Assurance Supervisor.