Dr. Christiana Nicolaou, Assistant Professor in the Department of Nursing at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), participated in the 7th Congress of the Paediatric Nursing Associations of Europe (PNAE), held in Paris on 11–12 June 2026. During the congress, she presented the Erasmus+ funded project Virtual Children’s Hospital for Learning Pediatric Nursing (VLPN), highlighting its objectives, methodology, Virtual Reality (VR) learning environment, and key outputs designed to enhance paediatric nursing education.

The 7th PNAE Congress, themed "Building to Last: European Perspectives on Integrated Paediatric Care in the Future," brought together paediatric nursing professionals, researchers, and educators from across Europe to exchange knowledge, share evidence-based practices, and explore emerging innovations in paediatric nursing. The event was organised by PNAE in collaboration with the French National Association of Paediatric Nurses and Students (ANPDE).

In addition to her presentation, Dr. Nicolaou, Scientific Coordinator for CUT in both the Erasmus+ Virtual Children’s Hospital for Learning Pediatric Nursing (VLPN) project and the Erasmus+ Extended Reality Learning Framework for Pediatric Nursing Students (PeDXR) project, collaborated with VLPN and PeDXR partners to deliver an interactive workshop showcasing innovative Virtual Reality applications developed for paediatric nursing education and training by VLPN and PeDXR.

The workshop brought together VLPN representatives from Tartu Applied Health Sciences University (Estonia), including Mrs Siret Läänelaid (Senior Lecturer), Mrs Ave Kõrve-Noorkõiv (Lecturer), and Mr Rasmus Casper Kõrve (Simulation Technician); Turku University of Applied Sciences (Finland), including Mrs Päivi Matikainen (Lecturer) and Dr Mirka Toivonen (Principal Lecturer); PeDXR representatives from Thomas More (Belgium), Mrs Katrin De Winter (Lecturer); the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece), including Dr Vasiliki Mantziou (Professor) and Dr Barbara Mpoutopoulou; and the Hellenic Association of Paediatric Nursing, represented by Dr Eleni Tamvaki.

Participants had the opportunity to experience immersive VR scenarios and explore how extended reality technologies can enhance clinical skills development, strengthen students' confidence, and enrich paediatric nursing education through safe, realistic, and engaging learning environments. The workshop reflected the congress's broader commitment to innovation in paediatric healthcare and the digital transformation of nursing education.

Dr. Nicolaou's participation in the 7th PNAE Congress highlights the Cyprus University of Technology's continued commitment to advancing nursing education through innovative digital technologies, international collaboration, and active engagement with the European nursing community.

For more information about the Virtual Children's Hospital for Learning Pediatric Nursing (VLPN) project, visit https://vlpn.eu/.

For more information about the Extended Reality Learning Framework for Pediatric Nursing Students (PeDXR) project, visit https://pedxr.com/.

VLPN and PeDXR: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.