BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health)

Children’s or paediatric nurses care for new-borns through to adolescents with acute or long-term illnesses. They are experts in interpreting children’s feelings, thoughts and behaviour to identify when a child’s health takes a turn for the worse. They support families and children during periods of great change and stress, by utilising scientific research to inform treatment.

Children’s nurses work with a wide range of conditions to help to improve a child’s health and their development into adulthood, where possible. These can be grouped into five main categories:

• Babies
  Children’s nurses work with new-borns that can be very poorly and need urgent medical assistance in a neonatal unit. Some babies may need short-term intervention or long-term care. You’ll also work with bereaved parents.
  
  
• Children with eating disorders
  You’ll work with children up to the age of 18 that may be suffering from an eating disorder or weight management issues.
  
  
• Minor ailments
  Children’s nurses treat children with a range of minor conditions such as cuts, broken bones, bruises and many more.
  
  
• Serious conditions 
  You work with children who may be suffering from cancer, congenital disorders, burns, infections, inherited diseases, organ failures, rare conditions and many more. You may see children that are in hospital for months at a time, or those that are admitted on a frequent basis. Children’s nurses work with children in intensive care, who have come out from surgery, and those requiring end of life care.
  
  
• Developmental conditions
  You’ll work with children that may have mental or physical developmental conditions that may impact their transition into adulthood. You may also work with children with learning difficulties or special needs.

Child nursing is a broad discipline, you could work with children up to the age of 18 such as:

•  children who are frightened or anxious
•  children who are separated from their parents
•  children that cannot communicate
•  children in pain
•  children with mental health conditions
•  parents or carers who might be distressed
•  children who might be under child protection.

Within the nursing profession there are a multitude of job opportunities across a variety of sectors:

•  NHS hospitals
•  Specialist departments such as neonatal, A&E, children’s and cancer wards
•  Public health and policy making
•  Communities
•  Patient’s homes
•  Clinics
•  Private practice
•  GP surgeries
•  School health education
•  Events
•  Education and academia
•  Research
•  Leadership roles
•  Voluntary roles

What can you do with a nursing degree?

Achieve a bachelors honours degree and register as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in child health enabling you to progress on to a rewarding career and work in a range of healthcare settings nationally or internationally.

• Access a range of child specific placements across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset spanning the health, social and educational sector working across an inter-professional hub.

• Engage with a curriculum focusing on the acute and community care of children, young people and families.

• Get involved in national and international research around sustainability, breastfeeding and urban and community family projects.

• Create a professional digital footprint allowing collaboration with the nursing and inter-professional communities. 

• Be assessed by a range of innovative methods including essays, case work analysis, seminar presentation, practice portfolio and video role-play.

• From 2023, students in Plymouth can train and practice their professional healthcare skills in an inspiring purpose-built environment, InterCity Place.
  

• Once graduated you are eligible to apply for registration with the NMC as a 'Registered Nurse – Child Health'.

• 92% of students surveyed for Nursing (Child Health) were satisfied overall with their course in the 2020 National Student Survey (NSS). 

• Learn from experienced Drs and Professors in their field.
  

• Year 1

• Your first year introduces you to being an accountable professional, whilst developing the knowledge and skills required to become a confident, academic and independent learner. You will gain an understanding of human development, key body systems and their relationship to nursing care. A range of effective therapeutic interpersonal skills to promote engagement and helpful collaborative person-centred conversations will be nurtured within the theory and the two practice components during the year. You will be introduced to the importance of assessing, planning, providing and evaluating health and wellbeing in a broad range of contexts. You will learn and develop the values, knowledge and skills required for the successful achievement of the standards of proficiency required for the first NMC progression point. Modules will have field specific application.

  Core modules

  • Being an Accountable Professional (NRS410)

    This module will introduce students to the nursing profession, professional standards, the use of evidence and the role of social media in health care practice.

  • Communication and Therapeutic Relationships (NRS411)

    This module supports students to develop basic, person-centred communication skills enabling them to engage effectively with individuals and their families/carers utilising a range of collaborative interpersonal skills and adopting therapeutic and ethical frameworks that can be applied in health and social care.

  • Applied Human Biology Across the Lifespan (NRS414)

    This module will develop students' understanding of human development, key body systems and their relationship to nursing care.

  • Assessing and Planning Nursing Care (NRS416)

    This module introduces students to assessing health and wellbeing, it explores different models of understanding health, ill health and the interconnection between physical and mental health. It enables the student to work in partnership to plan and evaluate nursing care for a variety of health conditions and needs.

  • Providing and Evaluating Care (NRS417)

    This module introduces the student to the values, knowledge and skills required for nursing practice in a range of settings.

• Year 2

• In your second year you will be introduced to research methodology and methods in order to develop their knowledge of the application of research-based evidence to professional practice. You will study the pathophysiological processes involved in commonly encountered health conditions to support nursing interventions. Your knowledge and understanding of co-ordinating care for complex health needs will be developed, as well as in relation to public health, policies and legislation. You will become a knowledgeable practitioner with an understanding of pharmacology and safe practice in the management of medicines. The theory and two practice components of the year will develop your values, knowledge and skills required for the successful achievement of the standards of proficiency required for the second NMC progression point. Modules will have field specific application.

  Core modules

  • Applied Pathophysiology (NRS501)

    Within this module, students will study the pathophysiological processes involved in commonly encountered health conditions.

  • Introduction to Evidence-Informed Decision Making (NRS502)

    The module introduces students to research methodology and methods in order to develop their knowledge of the application of research-based evidence to professional practice. The module is based upon the premise that knowledge and understanding of key research designs is an essential pre-requisite of evidence-informed decision making (EIDM).

  • Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health (NRS503)

    This module aims to develop the student's knowledge and skills in relation to public health, policies and legislation. Students will explore the social, economic, political and ecological challenges that are faced in public health at an international, national and local level. The student will develop an understanding of their professional role in relation to public health.

  • Pharmacology and Medicines Optimisation (NRS504)

    This module will develop students' knowledge of medications, pharmacology and working to support medication adherence.

  • Developing Nursing Practice (NRS507)

    This module develops the students' values, knowledge and skills required for nursing practice in a range of settings.

• Final year

• Year three allows you to critically explore the concepts of management, leadership and working in teams. You will extend your knowledge around critical appraisal and the importance of research evidence to professional practice. With four specific field modules you will further develop your assessment skills to enable you to recognise and respond to the seriously ill child, by increasing your knowledge, understanding and application of relevant pathophysiology and other evidence to practice. You will develop the skills and knowledge required to undertake holistic assessment, plan and manage the support and care of individuals and families in a variety of community settings, and develop competence in nursing clients with complex needs. Your final module will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to perform as a capable and autonomous practitioner, fit for registration in your field of nursing practice.

  Core modules

  • Care of the Highly Dependent Child (CHN601)

    This module will develop the knowledge and skills of students in the care of critically ill infants, children and young people and their families. Students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a range of settings.

  • Care of the Child and Family in the Community (CHN602)

    This module will enable students to develop the skills and knowledge required to undertake holistic assessment, plan and manage the support and care of individuals and families in a variety of community settings. The challenges of multidisciplinary and multiagency agency working in a community environment will be critically examined.

  • Developing Competence in Child Health Nursing Practice (CHN603)

    This module will further develop the student's competence in a range of clinical, professional and transferable skills considered essential for safe practice and ensure that the NMC competencies are achieved.

  • Developing Knowledge and Skills for Evidence-Informed Decision Making (NRS602)

    The module is designed to extend students' knowledge around critical appraisal and the importance of research evidence to professional practice. This will be achieved through students identifying and evaluating a body of research-based evidence relevant to clinical practice.

  • Nursing Leadership, Management and Team Working (NRS604)

    This module critically explores the concepts of management, leadership and working in teams. It examines the role of the nurse to act as a change agent in response to professional practice challenges.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Hons Nursing Programme Specification Standard Route 2022 23 6614

UCAS tariff

104 - 120

GCSEs

5 GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above to include Mathematics, English, and Science. Consideration may be given to Functional Skills Level 2 in Mathematics. Please note we do not accept Functional Skills Level 2 in English, or Key Skills in Maths or English, or Adult Literacy/Numeracy.

Plus one of the following:

A levels

104–120 Tariff points to include a minimum of two A levels. Science, Health, or Social Science profile is preferred but any subject considered. General Studies excluded.

Access to HE Diploma

Pass an Access to HE Diploma with 33 Level 3 credits at Merit and/or Distinction, including 15 in Science or Social Science.

BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma 

DMM-DDM – Science, Health, or Social Science profile is preferred but any subject considered.

International Baccalaureate

26–30 points overall. Science, Health, or Social Science profile is preferred but any subject considered. English, Mathematics, and Science accepted within as GCSE equivalent at higher level = 4, standard level = 5

T level

Accepted pathway: Health. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received.

Degrees

Previous degrees are considered at a 2:2 or above. Science, Health, or Social Science profile is preferred but any subject considered.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.

If you are unsure whether you meet this criteria, or you have qualifications not listed here, please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Extended entry requirements

• In addition to the above, evidence of academic study within the last five years is required. Ideally this should be one of the qualifications listed here, but the admissions team will assess on a case-by-case basis.
• Meeting the academic minimum is the first stage of an application being considered. Applicants must also submit a strong personal statement in order to be considered further.
• We will require an academic reference and an employer reference as part of the application process.
• Attend an interview.
• You must pass disclosure and barring service and occupational health checks satisfactorily in order to be able to start this course.
• If English is not your first language and you do not have GCSE English grade C/4 or above you will have to achieve an IELTS (or equivalent qualification) at the grade of at least 7.0 (at least 6.5 in all elements sections). English language requirements.

All students who are aged 17 when starting the programme in September, must be 18 by Christmas of that same year.

Further information

• Nursing recruitment days
• Enhancing your application

Deferred entry

Unfortunately we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please contact the admissions team who will be able to explain the application process in more detail at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Direct entry to year 2

If you have achieved certificated learning in addition to the entry criteria required for your programme of study, it may be possible to accredit this learning towards your chosen course. Full details on how to make an application are available on our open access MOODLE site (download details on how to access the site and submit your claim and supporting evidence). Your application will then be assessed and you will receive confirmation by email on the status of your claim. Please contact the admissions team in the first instance who will be able to advise whether you are eligible at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.

To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

The deadline for the receipt of international applications is 31 May 2023 for entry in September 2023.

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email international-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Deferred entry

Unfortunately we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please refer to an experienced admissions administrator who will be able to explain the UCAS application process in more detail admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Plymouth recognise that people may act out of character in times of trouble or distress. However, we will not tolerate inappropriate behaviour or language towards any of our staff during the admissions process. Hostile, aggressive, or otherwise inappropriate behaviour or language, whether expressed verbally or in writing, will be viewed seriously and may adversely affect the consideration of an application, appeal, or complaint. We reserve the right to reject an application from, or withdraw an offer to, an applicant who has behaved in an inappropriate manner.