| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-25 | - |
Program Overview
Course Details
The University of Bolton's NMC-approved BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children) degree, offered in partnership with local NHS Foundation Trusts, is designed to prepare you for a successful career caring for children and young people. Also known as a paediatric nurse, a children's nurse is a key member of a multidisciplinary team of professional and medical staff that includes doctors, health visitors, health care support workers, hospital play staff, social workers and psychologists. There is a shortage of qualified nurses in the UK, so career opportunities are excellent.
You'll spend 50% of your time in practice learning experience at our partner trusts. The rest of your studies will be based at the University, increasing your theoretical understanding and practical knowledge in a way that complements and enhances your learning in the workplace. We'll support you as you learn to care for children with acute and long-term illnesses, in hospital and at home, and gain expertise in health promotion and disease prevention.
Together with our partner trusts, we'll work to prepare you to become a confident, professional nurse able to deliver and lead the care of children within the ever-changing health and social care environment. On successful completion of the nursing qualification, you'll possess the knowledge and skills you need to perform as an independent, highly competent, compassionate nurse who can be trusted to maintain professional standards and assure the protection of the public.
If you're an ambitious nursing associate or assistant practitioner, you may be able to join this course at Level 2 (HE5) and top-up your existing foundation degree to achieve the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children) in two years or less. This is a popular route for healthcare practitioners that recognises and values prior learning and experience. The top-up option is a well-recognised pathway to career advancement.
Highlights
Key Features
Program Outline
Upon successfully completing the nursing degree, you'll possess the knowledge and skills you need to perform as an independent, highly competent, compassionate nurse and work within the field of children's nursing. As a graduate, one of the key abilities you'll possess is knowing how to communicate sensitively with children and their parents or carers. When working with young children, you'll need to use effective communication skills to understand how to interpret their behaviour and reactions to assess them fully, as they may be unable to explain how they're feeling.
Throughout the course, you'll gain key transferable skills, including the ability to work independently, adapt to changing circumstances, work in teams and groups, and listen and respond to individuals and their needs. You'll become adept at planning and time management, rational decision making, critical thinking, and physical assessment, and gain excellent communication skills during your time in both university and practice settings.
Our BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children) programme also offers a well-recognised pathway of career advancement for qualified nursing associates and assistant practitioners. If you already hold an appropriate foundation degree, you may be able to top up your qualification and become a children's nurse in two years or less (the maximum possible exemption is 50% of the programme). This popular option recognises your prior learning and experience and allows you to take on full nursing responsibilities more quickly. It also opens the door to postgraduate study and provides a route to achieve your career ambitions.
What can I do with this qualification?
Nursing is the largest healthcare profession in the country and offers excellent career opportunities and progression. The children's nursing degree prepares you for a wide range of rewarding opportunities in hospitals, the community, patients' homes, and independent organisations. There are opportunities to specialise in areas such as neonatal intensive care, paediatric oncology, asthma, diabetes, burns and plastics, child protection, and continuing care for children with complex health needs.
As you gain experience, you could work towards becoming a matron or nurse consultant. You may wish to move into community children's nursing or undertake further study towards a career in health visiting, teaching or research. A range of postgraduate opportunities may interest you, including the University of Bolton's MSc Physician Associate Studies and MSc Clinical Practice.
Alternative career options
Graduates can use this qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Possible options include:
