What you will study
Your studies will include core learning relevant to all fields of nursing, and modules specific to Children's Nursing.
Year 1
Year 1 introduces the core sciences and contexts of nursing and healthcare. You'll develop your knowledge of child development, the healthy child and the assessment and care of children and their families.
Core modules
Introduction to Life Sciences
30 credits
This module is designed to help students develop their knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology in relation to nursing, which is an essential element of nursing proficiency.
Pathophysiology will be explored in relation to common conditions and students will also begin to develop their knowledge of pharmacological concepts in preparation for therapeutic interventions explored in year 2.
The main features of the module are to enable students to apply scientific principles to nursing care. It will also support students to identify and understand current nursing practices underpinned by scientific theory.
Introduction to Children's Nursing NC4104
30 credits
This module introduces students to childhood development and to the principles of contemporary children's nursing. Students' will gain knowledge of the application of child developmental theories related to physical, psychosocial and attachment development. Childhood policies will be applied to the healthy child and their families. The core principles of evidence based care of children and their families across care settings will provide a foundation for quality care. Students will also be introduced to The Code (NMC, 2018) to gain knowledge and understanding of its importance in guiding the children's nurse to deliver safe, effective and compassionate care, which is essential when caring for children and their families.
Introduction to Public Health and Health Promotion
30 credits
This module is a core requirement for all students across all fields of the BSc Nursing programme. As an introductory module it will enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of the principles of public health and health promotion. Students will explore the global, social-political-economic and psycho-social forces on the population's health and well-being. In addition the student will explore the evolution of public health, the determinants of health and health inequalities.
Introduction to Professional Practice
30 credits
This module will prepare students for placements and their learning in practice and the assessment process during year one of the programme. It will introduce a range of nursing procedures to enable students to provide skilled, evidence based, person centred compassionate care to people at any stage of life who may have a range of physical, mental, cognitive or behavioural health conditions.
Year 2
Year 2 examines person-centred care, nursing care for children and young people with acute illness, and explores local, national and global perspectives on contemporary issues. At the end of Year 2, you will have the opportunity to undertake a national or international placement.
Core modules
Therapeutic Interventions in Nursing: Bio-Psycho-Social Approaches
30 credits
This module explores a range of therapeutic approaches in nursing. The module examines evidence-based treatment methods, current practice and nursing interventions. Students will learn about pharmacology and bio-psycho-social and alternative treatments. Field specific seminars will enable further application of module content to the students' field.
The focus of this module is to enable students to apply evidence-based principles to administering and applying therapeutic care and develop an understanding and awareness of safe and effective treatment approaches. Students will learn about partnership working with healthcare professionals, patients, service users and carers for administering treatment, as well as enabling students to identify contemporary nursing practices underpinned by therapeutic procedures.
Assessment and Care Process for Acutely Ill Children NC5107
30 credits
This module enables students to assess, plan, implement and evaluate quality nursing care for children and young people with acute illness. The nursing care will be holistic in nature therefore covering physical aspects and addressing psychological, social and cultural needs of the child and family. Students will explore how care can be delivered in partnership with families and the interdisciplinary team. The care discussed will be based on best evidence and tailored to the individualised needs of the child and family.
Community and Public Health Nursing for Children NC5108
30 credits
This module explores local, national and global perspectives on contemporary and future public health issues related to caring for children and young people in community and other health, social care and education settings. Students develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes required to promote health and prevent ill health for children and young people in partnership with families and wider socio-political networks.
Developing Professional Practice
30 credits
This module will further develop the skills taught and practised in the introduction to professional practice in year one. Students will be able to assess, plan and rationalise the nursing care they provide for people in health and social care and community settings. The emphasis will be on holistic person-centred care covering physical, psychological, social and cultural care. It will look at evidence based person centred care being delivered inter- and intra-disciplinary.
You will be prepared for the transition to professional practice and employability. You will develop skills in management, leadership, team working and teaching and supporting learners. You will learn how to critically appraise evidence to support future practice and explore complexities of nursing and service provision across health and social care organisations.
Year 3
Year 3 looks at caring for children and young people who require complex, high dependency, critical and palliative care. You will prepare for the transition from student to qualified children's nurse.
Core modules
Safe and Effective Quality Care in Children's Nursing NC6110
30 credits
This module will provide the student with the theoretical knowledge and skills required for their future role as a qualified children's nurse when contributing to risk monitoring, quality care provision and optimised service improvements. The student will learn to manage and prioritise clinical actions, participate in clinical audit activities for quality and service improvements and learn to avoid compromising quality care using evidence-based knowledge and experience from practice. Regulations essential for maintaining safety at work and in different care environments will be covered. Students will learn about collaborative multi professional working, whilst collectively developing effective improvement strategies. Some sessions will be shared across fields as they are core for all fields.
Co-ordinating the Care of Children with Complex and Palliative Care Needs NC6111
30 credits
This module will provide the student with the underpinning knowledge and skills required for their future leadership role in coordinating and managing the complex and palliative care needs of children in partnership with the family across a range of organisations and settings. Students will consider, where appropriate, the wishes of the child/families, their culture and the services available within the political landscape. The student will build on their knowledge of partnership and collaborative working and examine the cultural, political, psychosocial and technological influences on nursing care, resource management and finances.
Leadership in Children's Nursing NC6112
30 credits
Navigating the transition from student to a professional practitioner who is skilled at leading teams is critically important to the delivery of safe, effective and high quality health care. This module is designed to prepare the student for professional nursing practice by expanding their knowledge and skills to enable them to be an accountable and compassionate leader within the health and social care system. It focuses on leadership, team working, and performance management and enables the children's nurse to reflect on their transition to registered practice and build the evidence base for a career development portfolio. Some sessions will be shared across fields as they are core for all fields.
Advancing Professional Practice
30 credits
This module advances the skills taught and practiced in years one and two in order to prepare students for their transition to registered nurse. The module focuses on the assessment and management of patients with complex health care needs, working in partnership with other health care professionals. Students will integrate their clinical and communication skills with evidence based knowledge to become clinically proficient and confident nurses. It is a generic module where all fields of nursing learn with and from each other.
