BSc (Hons) Children's Nursing

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Buckinghamshire New University

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Children’s Nursing is perfect for anyone passionate about caring for babies, children, and young people while supporting their families. You’ll combine classroom learning with real-world clinical experience, gaining the practical skills, communication techniques, and confidence you need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and step straight into professional practice.

Curriculum Structure

Year One
In your first year, you’ll build the foundations of children’s nursing. You’ll study Essential Anatomy and Physiology for Healthcare and Fundamental Skills for Nursing to understand how the body works and how to care for it effectively. Understanding Health, Illness, Disability and Diversity Across the Lifespan gives you insight into how children’s health is influenced by social and psychological factors, while Becoming a Children’s Nurse introduces the professional values and behaviours that shape safe, compassionate care.

Year Two
Your second year brings a deeper dive into practical and theoretical skills. Modules like Understanding Health Conditions in Children’s Nursing show you how illness and injury affect children and their families. In Assessing Needs and Planning Care in Children’s Nursing, you’ll practise assessing patients and planning tailored care, while Developing Competence in Children’s Nursing helps you grow as a confident and reflective practitioner.

Year Three
The final year is all about preparing for life as a registered nurse. You’ll study Medicines Management to ensure safe administration of drugs, and Coordinating Complex Care in Children’s Nursing to manage care for children with more complex needs. Leading and Managing Care and Preparing for Registration in Children’s Nursing polish your leadership and decision-making skills, giving you the confidence to start your professional journey.

Focus areas (in a string):

children’s nursing practice, clinical assessment, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, care planning, complex care coordination, professional practice

Learning outcomes (in a string):

deliver safe, child-centred nursing care, assess and respond to health needs, build therapeutic relationships, make evidence-informed clinical decisions, lead and manage aspects of care

Professional alignment (accreditation):

Fully approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), giving you eligibility to register as a Children’s Nurse on graduation.

Reputation (employability rankings):

Buckinghamshire New University’s nursing courses rank highly, with strong graduate employment and satisfaction scores reflecting excellent career outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Buckinghamshire New University, becoming a children’s nurse isn’t just about lectures — it’s about getting hands-on experience from day one. Around half of your degree takes place in real clinical settings, where you’ll work alongside experienced nurses to care for babies, children, and young people, gaining confidence and practical skills in real-life situations. On campus, you’ll also have access to modern facilities and technology that let you practise, make mistakes safely, and learn before stepping into a hospital or community placement.

Here’s how your hands-on learning works in practice:

Clinical placements with NHS partners: Spend about 50% of your degree on placement with organisations such as Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Frimley Health, Chelsea and Westminster, and Imperial College Healthcare, experiencing a variety of children’s health settings.
Simulation and skills labs: Practice key nursing skills using high-fidelity manikins and professional equipment in realistic, on-campus scenarios.
Audio/video debriefing: Review your practical work with tutors using video tools to learn and improve from each session.
Professional equipment practice: Get familiar with essential tools like PROMPT resuscitation models and other NHS-standard equipment.
Ongoing support: Each placement comes with a link lecturer, giving guidance and connecting your on-campus learning with real clinical experience, plus access to wellbeing and academic support.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Children’s Nursing from Buckinghamshire New University means you’ll be ready to start a professional nursing career where you can truly make a difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families. You’ll leave with hands‑on experience, a respected qualification, and the confidence to step into a range of healthcare roles that reflect the skills you’ve built:

Typical career paths: Registered Children’s Nurse, Community Children’s Nurse, Specialist Children’s Support Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Children’s Mental Health Nurse, School Health Nurse.

How this programme supports your career success:

Personalised careers support: The university’s Careers and Employability Service helps you with CV writing, interview prep, job applications and networking — giving you practical support as you prepare to step into your first professional role.
Strong employment prospects & earnings: Around 70% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing this course, and typical early‑career earnings for children’s nursing graduates are around £27,000–£28,500, rising further as you gain experience.
Valuable NHS partnerships: You’ll build experience and professional connections through clinical placements with NHS partners like Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and more, which often open doors to jobs after graduation. Accredited, career‑ready qualification: On successful completion, you’ll be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Children’s Nurse, a professional credential that’s recognised throughout the UK.
Graduation outcomes: You’ll complete the programme with real clinical experience, strong communication and care‑planning skills, and the ability to work confidently in settings like children’s wards, community services, specialist clinics, hospices, and child‑focused health teams.

Further Academic Progression:
Once you’re a registered Children’s Nurse, you can continue your learning with postgraduate qualifications — for example, specialist clinical certificates, leadership and management courses, or master’s degrees in paediatric nursing, advanced practice or healthcare research. These pathways can help you move into senior clinical roles, education, research, or leadership positions, giving you even more flexibility and opportunity to shape your future in healthcare.