Nursing (Child) BSc (Hons)

About the course

Children's Nursing is a highly skilled, knowledgeable and caring profession requiring nurses to provide high quality care to children, young people and their families. Children's Nursing activities encompass promoting health, providing evidence based holistic care whilst supporting and educating families to care for their children in hospital and at home.

This programme confers a BSc Honours Degree in Nursing (Child) and eligibility to apply to register as a Children's Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The programme runs over three extended academic years, incorporating a one-year Common Foundation Programme and a two year Field Specific Programme.

Throughout the programme you will develop critical, analytical and reflective skills that will enable you to make sound judgements and provide good evidence-based care. Your theoretical studies are interspersed with practical experience, enabling you to integrate your theoretical knowledge with practice and to develop the complex range of skills to become a skilled and competent Children's Nurse.

Funding

Tuition fees for this course are paid by the NHS. However following our recent move to degree only nursing programmes you will need to apply for a means tested grant. Further information is available online at Directgov.

Why choose this course?

On this programme you will develop a sound knowledge of Children's Nursing. You will learn about 'normal' childhood development and behaviours and in time become competent in recognising and managing the deviations from this norm.

The programme lays the foundation for your continuing personal and professional development throughout your career as a Children's Nurse.

Throughout the programme your theoretical studies will be supported by clinical experiences in a range of child settings to include acute children's services and a variety of community environments.

All offers to students are subject to references, occupational health check and enhanced criminal records bureau screening.

Study routes

• Full Time,
• Full Time, 3 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Following successful completion of the programme you will be entitled to apply for registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the Branch of Nursing in which you have specialised. You can now take advantage of the varied opportunities available to you, to put into practice all you have learned and make a positive contribution to the lives of children, young people and their families. Areas in which you could work include acute services within the NHS; a range of community settings including general or specialised community nursing and schools or Hospice Care; the range is wide and varied.

You will meet many interesting people and each day will be different. You will always be learning, developing new and innovative skills through experience and education that will enable you to diversify or specialise in a particular area of Children's Nursing, giving opportunity for promotion and job satisfaction.

Teaching methods

Your time will be split equally (50/50) between classroom based learning and practical placements. You will have the oppotunity to link practical experience to theoretical learning and vice versa.

During your placements you will undertake:

• Supervised practice - working with qualified nurses to develop clinical skills
• Training and education activities within the placement setting
• Skills development activities to ensure patients' needs are met

Your time at the University will be spent in:

• standard lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• laboratories
• case studies
• individual and group projects

In your final year you will normally have the opportunity to hone your independent study and interpersonal skills by undertaking a major project or dissertation.

Work Placement

Practice placements are organised within neighbouring NHS Trusts in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and North London and in other settings including the private and voluntary sectors. There is the opportunity to learn with and from people in the community and in hospitals where nursing is experienced. The placement experiences are wide and varied, emphasising the chosen field of practice - Children's Nursing. During the first year experiences may also include caring for adults, service users with learning disabilities or those with mental health problems.

A number of NHS Trusts support student nurses in their practice by providing placements in local health service trusts, social services, local educational institutions, private health care facilities, and the voluntary sector. North London, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire provide this support in a varying capacity dependent on the programme undertaken and the chosen Branch of Nursing.

An elective/alternative placement is offered at the end of the second year which gives you the opportunity to gain clinical experience elsewhere in the UK, abroad, or in specialised regional and national centres of excellence.

Professional Accreditations

Entitlement to enter the professional register of the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Registered Nurse (Child).

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• An Introduction to Inter-professional Education

  The module is designed to give students the opportunity to work in multi-professional groups in order to improve understanding of a range of professional roles and encourage co-operative learning and working. The rationale for and benefits of inter-professional working within health and social care are explored. Learning will be through multi-professional group seminars and tutorials that require students to access and gather appropriate data from a range of sources and apply this to a series of practice-based, simulated scenarios and exercises.

• Biological Basis for Health and Wellbeing

  This 30 credit level 4 module provides the foundations for fundamental nursing practice. It has three overarching aims. In the first instance the module will introduce the student to the nursing skills and assessments that they will be expected to execute in clinical practice. The second aim of the module is to introduce the student to the physiological theory that underpins clinical practice. The bioscience focus will be taught with continuous reference to clinical nursing with emphasis on how biological knowledge informs nursing decisions. The third aim is to explore the relationship between the psyche and soma when assessing patients/service users/clients, e.g. individuals experiencing anxiety, stress or depression. The taught content includes clinical assessment and observational skills, underpinning anatomy and physiology and fundamental nursing principles, all delivered within the context of the life continuum focussing on all stages of life from birth to death.

• Introduction to Children's Nursing

  This Level 4 field specific child module aims to introduce the student to the paediatric anatomy and physiology that underpins a range of children's nursing practice. The module will focus upon the development of the student's understanding of normal childhood anatomical and physiological states; however, the impact of illness and the effects that this may have on the child's physical function will be considered. There will be the opportunity to develop observational clinical skills, within the safe environment of a suitably equipped laboratory. The use of appropriate teaching strategies will encourage the student to learn whilst also considering the context of the child's family, psycho-social needs and physical care environment. The module will be delivered using a mixture of teaching methods; blended learning strategies will be employed throughout.

• Learning for Professional Development 1

  This is the first of three modules that will facilitate the students ability to independently engage in learning for Continuing Personal and Professional Development (CPPD). It will facilitate the acquisition of values, knowledge and skills that are essential for learning and effective independent study. Within the notion of learning to learn , this module will feature reflective processes so as to enable students to appraise their own personal learning needs and strengths and to then develop strategies to identify personal goals and areas for development. Notions of research, evidence and scholarly enquiry will be introduced in this module, as will the skills and conventions of academic writing.

• Professional Aspects of Care

  This 15 credit module focuses on the student's professional development so that s/he is able to work therapeutically with patients/service users, families and carers. A range of teaching and learning strategies will be utilised to facilitate the student's development of therapeutic communication skills; reflection on personal and professional development will be encouraged. In addition, the concept of care will be explored with emphasis being placed upon meeting the unique and individual needs of patients/service-users. An introduction to legal and ethical frameworks and health policy will be provided to enable the student to understand the professional responsibilities and boundaries that may impact upon nursing practice. The module will be delivered using a mixture of teaching methods. Blended learning strategies will be employed throughout and approximately 15 hours of this will be through technologically assisted distance learning methods. These hours have been incorporated into the "Independent Study" hours shown in Section 12 of this DMD.

• Professional Practice for Children's Nursing 1: Introducing the Context

  This 30 credit level 4 field specific module will provide students with a range of clinical practice that will facilitate the acquisition and establishment of the principles of children's nursing. The complementary university-based sessions will focus upon the development of fundamental clinical skills that are an essential part of children's nursing practice - this will be achieved within the safe environment of a suitably equiped laboratory. Emphasis will be placed upon the integration of theory and practice and the enhancement of evidence-based nursing care. Students will be encouraged to reflect upon their clinical experiences to inform and enhance their future nursing practice. The module will be delivered using a mixture of teaching methods; blended learning strategies will be employed throughout. This module will complement the others that are concurrently being delivered in the programme.

Optional

Year 2

Core Modules

• Caring for the Sick Child (1)

  This 30 credit, Level 5 module is designed to develop the student's knowledge and understanding of normal and altered childhood anatomy and physiology and its application to nursing practice. This module will explore the pathophysiology of illness and injury common to childhood using a systematic approach. In addition, there will be a strong focus on nursing care; students will further develop their knowledge of nursing models and frameworks and will be provided with opportunities to consider the planning, assessment, implementation and evaluation of care. To facilitate this, students will be encouraged to reflect upon a family's journey.Students will have an opportunity to meet health needs across the life span through a range of learning opportunities. The module will draw upon a wide range of teaching and learning strategies. Key note lectures will be utilised to introduce the relevant underpinning theory. In addition, student learning activities will be facilitated through face-to-face and flexible teaching methods which will include independent learning and group work; blended learning strategies will be employed throughout. This module will complement the others concurrently being delivered in the programme.

• Learning for Professional Development II

  This is the second of three modules designed to facilitate the students ability to independently engage in learning for Continuing Personal and Professional Development (CPPD). It advances the students acquisition of values, knowledge and skills that are essential for learning and effective independent study. The module will enable students to develop strategies designed to support learning, including participation in e-learning and the use of portfolios. The module also supports the students ability to engage constructively with available research and to utilise the evidence to support nursing practice.

• Professional Essence of Children's Nursing Practice

  This 15 credit module focuses on the development of the students' knowledge and understanding of professional, ethical and legal issues that may impact upon children's nursing practice. Key concepts, such as advocacy; children's involvement in decision-making; ethical theory and current legislation will be introduced, explored and debated. Application of theory to children, young people and their families is central to the module; therefore students will be encouraged to reflect upon their practice and to identify their leaning needs. The module will be delivered using a mixture of teaching methods; blended learning strategies will be employed throughout. The module will complement those concurrently being studied.

• Professional Practice in Children's Nursing 2: Facilitating Family Centred Care

  This 30 credit level 5 field specific module will provide students with a range of clinical experiences that will facilitate the application of theory to practice. The complementary university-based sessions will focus upon the further development of clinical skills; this will include both mandatory training as well as skills that are an integral part of children's nursing practice (such as alternative feeding methods and wound care). Students will be provided with the opportunity to simulate practice under expert supervision and within the safe environment of a children's skills laboratory; emphasis will be placed upon the acquisition of the underpinning knowledge and skills that are required to practice evidence-based family centred care in a range of settings.Studetns will have opportunites to meet heth needs across the life span through a range of opportunities. Students will be encouraged to reflect upon their own experiences of practice and determine areas for future personal and professional development. Blended learning strategies will be employed throughout the module. This module will complement the others concurrently being undertaken in the programme.

• The Developing Child Through the Age Continuum

  This 30 credit, Level 5 module aims to develop the students' knowledge of child growth and development theory and to facilitate application to nursing practice. The factors that may impact upon normal childhood growth and development (such as socio-economic, political environmental and cultural issues) will be explored. In addition, students will be given the opportunity to examine how ill health may affect developmental norms and how the children's nurse can facilitate the promotion of health. The health needs of children will be central to the module; relevant child developmental models as well as health promotion theory will be examined to enhance student knowledge and to facilitate the application of best available evidence to nursing practice. The module will draw upon a wide range of teaching and learning strategies. Key note lectures will be utilised to introduce theoretical concepts; in addition, peer group learning will feature with students being encouraged to reflect upon their personal practice and to share professional experiences; blended learning strategies will be employed throughout. This module will compliment the others concurrently being undertaken in the programme.

Optional

Year 3

Core Modules

• Caring for the Sick Child 2

  This 30 credit, Level 6 module aims to build upon the knowledge and skills which were acquired in the Level 5 Caring for the Sick Child (1) Module. The student's knowledge and understanding of normal and altered childhood anatomy and physiology will be further developed and applied to children who have a range of health needs. Students will be facilitated in the acquisition of more advanced technical and decision-making skills to enable them to effectively assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care in a sensitive and empathetic manner. The module will draw upon a wide range of teaching and learning methods. Key note lectures will be utilised to introduce the relevant underpinning theory. In addition, student learning activities will be facilitated through face-to-face and flexible teaching methods which will include independent learning and group work. Students will have opportunities to meet health needs across the life span through a range of learning opportunities. This module will complement the others concurrently being delivered in the programme.

• Enhancing Health & Social Care through Inter-professional Education

  The module is designed to give students further opportunities of working in multi-professional groups in order to improve understanding across professional boundaries and encourage collaborative learning and working that will bring benefit to patient/service-users. The justification for inclusion of inter-professional working within health care is addressed. The module requires students to bring specialist in-depth knowledge of their profession and professional codes of conduct to a group setting so that health and social care pathways are critically reviewed in the context of professional practice.

• Imagination & Innovation in Evidence-based Nursing Care

  This module builds upon the `Learning for Professional Development' sequence of modules and represents an exciting opportunity for students to engage in a negotiated practice-based project that will encourage them to focus upon a practice issue of professional interest. Students will be encouraged to explore this in an imaginative and innovative manner which may lead to new ways of improving practice for the benefit of service-users from an individual, group or whole service perspective. The project is conceived as being primarily an academic proposal with potential to be taken further by care/service teams should they wish to either during or post development of the project. The module will call upon students to employ both their skills of research awareness and appreciation and management in adopting a rigorous approach to the project design and organisation. Whilst the project will not concern itself with personal data gathering, it will nevertheless act as an academic opportunity and vehicle for students to begin to hone their skills in engaging with potential future research activity.

• Learning for Professional Development III

  This is the final module of three designed to facilitate the students ability to independently engage in learning for Continuing Personal and Professional Development (CPPD). The module will enable students to critically analyse their continuing personal and professional development needs with a view to beginning the initial development of a Continuing Personal and Professional Development plan. The module will also enable students to develop strategies designed to foster and support practice learning and the learning needs of others. This module will further support the students ability to apply the findings of research and evidence with care environments.

• Professional Practice in Children's Nursing 3: Management and Leadership

  This 30 credit level 6 field specific module is designed to enhance the student's management and leadership skills of self, others and environments as applied to care delivery within children's nursing services. The module will prepare students for the transition to their future roles as qualified practitioners and prospective leaders within the children's nursing profession. The module will encourage students to think from a leadership and management perspective about their practice approaches, organisational and decision making skills in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and quality outcomes for children, young people and their families. Throughout the module students will be encouraged to reflect upon their practice based experiences and to synthesise the modular theory from across the year. The module will be delivered using a mixture of teaching methods including practical skills development work-shops. Blended learning strategies will be employed throughout and approximately 15 hours of this will be through technologically assisted distance learning methods. These hours have been incorporated into the "Independent Study" hours shown in Section 12 of this DMD. Students will have opportunities to meet health needs across the life span through a range of learning opportunities. This module will complement the others concurrently being undertaken in the programme.

Optional

Fees & funding

If you are a UK or EU full-time undergraduate student, the NHS will pay the tuition fee for this course. You will not have to pay for the course yourself.

UK Students may be entitled to an NHS bursary.

Please note that in the event that you have to retake failed module(s) from a previous year (unconnected with adverse circumstances) you may have to 'step-off' the course until you have passed the module(s). In the event this happens, any NHS bursary you have been receiving will cease until you are in a position to resume the full-time course. In addition, you will be required to pay student tuition fees for retaking the failed module(s).

Find out more information on financial support arrangements for pre-registration health programmes.

University of Hertfordshire bursaries are not available for this course.

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply