BSc (Hons) Children's and Young People's Nursing

Program Overview

This NMC-accredited BSc (Hons) Children's & Young People's Nursing program equips students with the knowledge and skills to care for children and young people in various settings. Through a combination of theoretical teaching, practical placements, and interprofessional education, the program fosters compassionate nurses who prioritize the well-being of their patients and prepare for a rewarding career in children's and young people's nursing.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This BSc (Hons) Children’s & Young People’s Nursing program is accredited by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) and prepares students to become registered (children's and young people's) nurses. The program focuses on the healthcare needs of children and young people, teaching the theory, diagnostic, and practical skills necessary to care for them. It emphasizes child-centered nursing and provides hands-on experience in simulated hospital wards and community home settings.

Objectives:

The program aims to:

• Equip students with the knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality care to children and young people.
• Foster compassionate and caring professionals who prioritize the well-being of their patients.
• Prepare students for a rewarding career in children's and young people's nursing.

Outline:

The program is structured over three years, including mandatory full-time placements.

Year 1:

• Core Units:
• Foundations for Professional Practice and Research: Introduces the context of nursing care, professional practice, and prepares students for their first placement.
• Nursing Theory and Application 1: Explores the theoretical foundations of nursing, including philosophical, historical, ethical, and legislative aspects.
• Applied Health Care Science 1: Covers bio-psychosocial theories and concepts related to health and well-being.
• Communication Skills for Nursing Practice: Develops effective communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with patients, families, and colleagues.
• Nursing Practice and Nursing Skills 1: Provides practical learning opportunities to develop skills and confidence in line with NMC standards.
Includes simulation and placements in CYP settings.

Year 2:

• Core Units:
• Research for Professional Practice: Advances research and problem-solving skills, engaging with evidence-based practice.
• Improving Safety and Quality of Care: Develops knowledge and understanding of patient safety, risk management, and quality improvement strategies.
• Nursing Theory & Application 2: Explores the impact of legal and ethical principles on healthcare.
• Applied Health Care Sciences 2: Analyzes challenges to physical and mental health and well-being across the lifespan.
• Acute and Long Term Health Challenges: Focuses on nursing management and coordination of care for patients with acute and long-term health challenges.
• Clinical Pharmacology and Medicines Management: Applies understanding of clinical pharmacology and medicines management to healthcare management.
• Nursing Practice and Nursing Skills 2: Provides further practical experience to develop proficiency in line with NMC standards.
Includes placements in CYP settings.

Year 3:

• Core Units:
• Team Working for Service Improvement: Develops skills for working in inter-professional teams to design and develop service improvements.
• Clinical Leadership and Management: Prepares students to lead and manage themselves and others in healthcare settings.
• Applied Health Care Sciences 3: Critically analyzes biopsychosocial concepts related to complex health needs and challenges.
• Developing a Literature Review: Builds on research and literature reviewing skills, focusing on CYP nursing.
• Therapeutic Communications and Interpersonal Skills for Nursing Practice: Develops skills for clinical and therapeutic conversations with patients and families.
• Nursing Practice and Nursing Skills 3: Develops personal and professional skills for graduate nurses, demonstrating safe, responsible, and accountable practice in line with NMC standards.
Includes placements in CYP settings.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the unit and include:

• Coursework
• Exams
• Presentations
• Reflective journals
• Clinical skills assessments
• Portfolio development

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Group discussions
• Case studies
• Simulation exercises
• Clinical placements
• Faculty:
• Senior academic staff
• Qualified professional practitioners
• Research students
• Guest lecturers from local healthcare services
• Service users (patients and carers)
• Unique Approaches:
• Interprofessional education: Students participate in shared workshops, lectures, and learning events with other health-related courses.
• Field-specific learning: Students are taught in groups with other children and young people nursing students, tailoring their learning to their chosen field.
• Integration of research and practice: Faculty members are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice, which is integrated into the teaching.
• Use of technology: Virtual reality is used to engage students and improve their understanding of complex concepts.

Careers:

• Potential Job Roles:
• Lecturer practitioner
• Specialist practitioner
• Advanced nurse practitioner
• Manager
• Consultant Nurse
• Industries and Sectors:
• NHS (hospital and community)
• Private and independent healthcare sector (nursing homes and private hospitals)
• Education
• Academic research
• Outcomes:
• 100% of graduates are either working or studying fifteen months after graduating.

Other:

• Facilities:
• The program utilizes practice simulation suites that mirror clinical and community workplace settings, providing a safe environment for skill development.
• Bournemouth University has invested in state-of-the-art facilities, including the £48 million Bournemouth Gateway Building, which houses health and social care courses.
• Placements:
• Students spend 50% of their time on placements, experiencing a variety of hospital and community environments.
• Placements are located in Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire, providing a breadth of experience in medical, surgical, acute care, and community nursing services for children.
• Students are expected to travel across large geographical areas, including rural locations, to reach their placements.
• The NHS Learning Support Fund can assist with placement travel expenses and dual accommodation costs.
• IT Skills:
• IT is a vital tool in healthcare, and students are introduced to IT skills at the beginning of the program.
• Students are expected to use IT skills for assignments, literature searches, and client-related record systems.
• Web-based learning tools are used for online discussions and other learning activities.
• Selection Methods:
• Interviews are part of the selection process, and students must demonstrate insight into nursing, motivation, and commitment.
• AccessBU:
• AccessBU provides an opportunity for students to disclose circumstances that may not be evident in their UCAS application.
• Eligible students may receive an offer up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.
• Apprenticeships:
• The program welcomes applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognized by the Institute for Apprenticeships.
• Deferred Entry:
• Deferred entry is available for eligible applicants.
• Direct Entry:
• The program welcomes applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions.
• Mature Applicants:
• Mature applicants with relevant experience are encouraged to apply.
• Work Experience:
• Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate insight into the profession through work experience (paid or voluntary) with children and/or young people in a health or social care setting.
• NHS Constitution Principles:
• Student Nurse Terms of Expectation:
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check:
• All successful applicants are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barred List check.
• Occupational Health (OH) Checks:
• Students must pass an OH check to ensure they are physically and mentally able to undertake the program.
• Immunizations:
• Students are expected to comply with the vaccination program, which is a Public Health England requirement for healthcare workers.
• Further Study:
• Graduates may consider further study, including Masters qualifications, postgraduate research degrees, or CPD units and courses.
• Funding:
• Nursing students may be eligible for a non-repayable government training grant of at least £5,000 a year.
• Additional funding may be available for eligible students, including parental support allowance, specialist subject payment, and regional incentive payment.
• Repeat Units:
• The pricing for repeating units is pro-rata of the full-time fee.