Bachelor of Science (Hons)

NURSING (CHILDREN'S) WITH NMC REGISTRATION

If you are an empathetic, kind and caring person looking for a rewarding career, then children’s nursing could be for you. You’ll learn from our experienced lecturers and technicians using state-of-the-art simulation facilities, coupled with time out on clinical placement.

This combined learning approach of theory and practice will prepare you to provide safe, compassionate care and become a confident nurse. Upon completion of the degree, you’ll be eligible to apply for admission to Nursing & Midwifery Council.

Why study this subject?

Caring for one of the most important people in someone's life, their child, is a big responsibility, yet very fulfilling job. Children and young people need nurses who understand their particular needs and can work in partnership with them and their families.

No two days within this job are the same – paediatric nursing can take you from the intensive care of a new-born baby with breathing problems, to looking after a six-foot tall adolescent whose leg has been broken. It can also cover a range of settings, from the hospital to the child's own home.

To support your studies, the UK Government are continuing to provide children’s nursing students with a payment of at least £5,000 a year which will not need to be paid back. Find out more about the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Once you graduate from this course, you'll be able to join as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), which enables you to practice in the UK.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

At Buckinghamshire New University, from your very first welcome, you’ll find yourself surrounded by friendly, like-minded students and staff – all passionate about nursing and healthcare.

BNU has been running nursing programmes for many years and students benefit from an excellent standard of teaching provided by staff from the University. Our lecturers maintain close links with practice, ensuring that the programme is always kept up to date.

You will receive personal tutoring and also be able to take part in our annual one-day inter-professional conference, focused on safeguarding. In addition, guest speakers regularly deliver sessions for students within the University to ensure we give a diverse range of views and experiences to our students.

At BNU, we recognise roles in this field are hands-on – that’s why you’ll take part in simulated learning experiences throughout the course using our specialised facilities available within our two campuses dedicated to nursing (Uxbridge and Aylesbury). This will enable you to recreate authentic scenarios and practise your skills in a safe environment.

Alongside your studies, you will take part in a range of clinical placements with BNU's NHS partner hospitals and homes. BNU work with a range of partners across the region and their students are highly respected whilst out in practice. They consistently see a high rate of employability after completing the course, with 98% of BNU students either in employment or further study six months after graduating (HESA 2020). Many of their students are employed by the Trust that they worked with during their time at the University.

As a BNU student, you will automatically become a member of Bucks Students’ Union giving you access to a wide range of services that BNU offer for free as part of their exclusive Big Deal package – including joining the Nursing Society. They are the only university in the UK to offer their members free access to such a diverse and exciting range of activities, allowing them to experience new things, socialise with broader groups of people and boost their employability – all to enrich your university experience.

What facilities can you use?

BNU utilise state-of-the-art simulation facilities for learning, development and practicing of skills – their purpose-built wards include real equipment, just like you’d find in hospital.

Simulation is an important aspect of our nursing and healthcare programmes. You will regularly spend time in the simulation labs, taking part in realistic scenarios to practise a broad spectrum of technical skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Both BNU's Uxbridge and Aylesbury campuses offer these facilities to students. Between their Uxbridge and High Wycombe campuses they provide a free campus-link bus service, allowing you to be able to use everything their High Wycombe Campus has to offer too.

What will you study?

BNU believe in giving you the best chance for employment when you graduate, so our courses are carefully designed to ensure that you’re equipped with everything you need to start your career.

During your time on the programme, you will understand the theory behind diagnosis that can help you to make crucial decisions when looking after a patient. You will be able to lead changes in practice, improving the quality of delivery of care.

On placement, you’ll be able to put your theory into practice where you’ll be mentored in the art of patient care.

How will you be taught and assessed?

This programme integrates academic and practice learning underpinned by collaboration between practice partners and the University. It adopts a student-centred approach, enabling the development of the required knowledge, skills and professional values required to deliver compassionate, safe and effective nursing care.

Students spend approximately half of their programme learning in clinical practice and the other half with the University. BNU work closely with a number of NHS Trusts and independent care partners in the region to provide students with clinical placements – view the full list of partners we work with.

When you’re on campus, your academic study will be undertaken through varying modalities including seminars, lectures, simulation and virtual learning. Our team of experienced and dedicated lecturers have a collective wealth of knowledge from working in a number of areas, including:

• children's accident and emergency (including resuscitation and trauma)
• community nursing
• general paediatrics
• learning disabilities
• neonatal and paediatric intensive care
• operating theatres
• outpatients
• paediatric oncology
• safeguarding
• school nursing.

Across the three years, you will be assessed through a number of means:

• Year 1: Reflective assignment, presentation and exams.
• Year 2: Academic poster presentation, assignment and exams.
• Year 3: Literature review/work-based learning project, reflective assignment, OSCE and exams.

You are also required to complete the knowledge skills and behaviours included in the Practice Assessment Document in each year of practice.

What are your career prospects?

Throughout your time with Buckinghamshier New University they’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. They will help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising and skilled leaders and support you in your search to find employment after graduation. 

On successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible to register as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing & Midwifery Council. With this qualification, you may find employment within the NHS or with private healthcare providers.

Opportunities for children’s nurses are continually expanding and you'll have the chance to go into many areas, such as:

• accident and emergency
• community settings, for example school nurse or health visitor
• general paediatrics
• general practice surgeries
• intensive care
• outpatient day surgeries
• private healthcare providers
• researcher - promoting advances in health care and health promotion practice.