Overview
Children's nursing involves the care of children, young people and their families in health and illness, recognising that children are unique individuals with specific needs. This child nursing degree course at Teesside University equips you with the special knowledge and skills required to form a successful career in paediatric care.
From September 2020 all new and continuing students on this course will receive a £5,000 maintenance grant each year if they’re eligible. They will not need to pay it back.
Full details here
This course focuses on the development of specific knowledge and skills required to care for children, young people and their families in a variety of diverse acute and community settings. As a children's nurse you become an integral part of the multidisciplinary team providing the expertise which underpins health care for a child at any age or development stage. Through the development of clinical skills, decision-making and interpersonal skills you ultimately demonstrate the ability to lead and manage the care of children young people and their families. To be a children’s nurse and to share the child and family healthcare experiences, in sometimes very difficult and emotional times, is a privilege requiring sensitivity and compassionThe public places high expectations and levels of trust upon nurses, and the course develops practitioners who can meet these expectations. It is hard work and challenging. Therefore to work within the healthcare sector it is essential that you are able to demonstrate the core values embedded within the NHS Constitution:NHS Constitution:
- working together for patients
- respect and dignity
- commitment to quality of care
- compassion
- improving lives
- everyone counts.
Throughout the course, as part of the placement experience, you will be required to participate in a shift pattern rota, or work weekends and undertake night duties.
The School is committed to the development of quality courses and to the enhancement of the student experience. To that end the Student Voice is central to the design and delivery of the learning experience. We invite you to provide feedback at key points in your student journey and ensure that we respond to your feedback through our 'you said, we did' approach.
Course details
In the new curriculum there is increased emphasis on mental health and cognitive issues impacting on health as well as shared learning across all four fields of practice. The module content reflect the changing and challenging nature of providing healthcare in the 21st century and the evolving and diverse role of the registered nurse. Leadership is embedded in all three years of the course, recognising the crucial role nurses play in moving practice forward. All modules adopt a blended approach to learning and teaching . We pride ourselves on the quality of our partnership working involving placement providers and service users. One of the modules in the first year has been co-produced with service users.Course structure
Year 1 core modules
This module involves shared learning and teaching across all fields of nursing, to develop an understanding of the holistic issues that may influence and impact on the care and experience of people within different health care settings. You develop a broad understanding of the theoretical frameworks underpinning the discipline of nursing and identify and explore patterns and determinants of health, wellbeing and illness at a local, national and global level.
You identify and explore the knowledge base required to meet the fundamental mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural needs of people within their care. Research-informed teaching and learning will introduce you to the concept and process of evidence-based practice, which will enable you to take a critical approach towards nursing care.
You will have an awareness of routine investigations which will then contribute to the development of your knowledge of commonly encountered physical and behavioural health conditions. You will understand the principles of pathogenesis, immunology, and evidence base for immunisation, vaccination and herd immunity, and establish an understanding of the principles of infection prevention and control.
You explore the balance of power within health and social care provision and relationships, and empowerment and the concepts of therapeutic alliances will be examined. The concepts of meaning, empathy, compassion, trust, connectedness and hope will be analysed and applied to practice.
The module combines theory, practical skills and placement experience and incorporates the four fields of nursing across three semesters with students in mixed theory groups.Technology-enhanced learning is a key feature. Understanding the foundations of nursing proficiency and professional nursing practice will be developed through pre-reading, seminars and supporting of direct care through simulated workshops including role play, clinical skills development, simulation and the use of scenarios.
You will be introduced to the theoretical concepts underpinning leadership and personal effectiveness including self-awareness, resilience and self-management, as well as the core professional values of nursing.
How you learn
50% of the learning time is spent engaging in University or self-managed learning activities (theory) and 50% of the time is spent within placement allocations (practice).
The teaching week during theory/study blocks is Monday to Friday and may involve some evening sessions. During practice allocations you are required to complete the shift patterns allocated to you by your mentor or supervisor. These will include early starts (for example a shift may start at 7.00am and finish at 8.00pm), night duty and weekend shifts.
The structure and sequencing of University and placement-based learning means that holidays are fixed - it is not possible to take holidays outside of the set dates.
During University-based learning you engage in a range of both teacher-led and student-led activities. Such activities include lectures, discussions, group activities, seminar presentations, tutorials, skills workshops, experiential learning / simulations, service user-focused activities and e-learning. Digital competency and learning through digital based platforms is an important component of this course.
Practice placements are provided in a range of healthcare related environments including hospital and community settings. These include experiences with health visiting teams, school nurses, children’s wards, acute, immediate and urgent/complex care environments such as special care baby units and accident and emergency. This enables you to explore family centred care and the nursing and healthcare needs of children and young people. Throughout your placement allocations you have opportunities to gain experience with client groups from other fields of nursing (mental health, learning disabilities and adult nursing) to enable you to develop an understanding of the health and nursing needs of people across all fields of practice.
Travel to placements
The range of placements provide diverse and rewarding learning experiences. Placements may not be near to your home or within your local trust. You are expected to travel to different areas.
Both practice and theory learning experiences will enable you to explore the service user’s journey, developing knowledge and experience of nursing and healthcare needs within services across the age continuum.
How you are assessed
Assessments are varied and reflect module outcomes. They include written assignments, examinations, case studies and presentations. You are also assessed in practice each year through a Practice Assessment Document (PAD). Essential practice proficiencies contained within the PAD, linked to the NMC platforms, communication and relationship management skills and nursing procedure skill, must be met for this course. The platforms are:
- Being an accountable professional
- Promoting health and preventing ill health
- Assessing needs and planning care
- Providing and evaluating care
- Leading and managing nursing care and working in teams
- Improving safety and quality of care
- Coordinating care.
Career opportunities
A diverse range of career opportunities are available within the NHS and private sectors in the UK and overseas. This course provides a stepping stone from which you can develop your expertise in the fields of nursing practice, leadership, research, education and consultancy
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