Bachelor of Nursing (Child)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Cardiff University

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about caring for children and making a real difference in families’ lives, Cardiff University’s Bachelor of Nursing (Child) is the perfect place to start. This degree prepares you to become a registered children’s nurse, blending hands-on clinical experience with the latest in healthcare knowledge and research. You’ll learn how to care for children of all ages — from newborns to teenagers — in a range of hospital and community settings, supported by expert tutors and modern simulation labs.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year lays the foundation for everything you’ll do as a children’s nurse. You’ll study modules like Healthy Children in Society and Assessing Needs and Planning Health Care of Children, where you’ll explore how children’s physical and emotional health develops within their families and communities. You’ll also take Applied Sciences and Health Promotion in Nursing, connecting biological science to real-world nursing practice. Alongside your classroom learning, your first placements will give you valuable experience working directly with children and young people in care settings.

Year 2
In the second year, you’ll build on that foundation and start developing more advanced clinical skills. Through modules such as Co-ordinating Care of Children in Diverse Environments and Global Health Nursing, you’ll learn how to care for children with different health needs and explore child health from a global perspective. You’ll also study Critical Evaluation of Evidence-Based Care, helping you use research and evidence to guide your practice. More complex placements give you the confidence to coordinate care and work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Year 3
Your final year focuses on preparing you for professional practice and leadership. You’ll study modules like Managing Interventions and Therapeutic Care in Children’s Nursing and Quality, Safety and Decision Making in Children’s Nursing Care. These will help you master clinical decision-making, leadership, and the ability to deliver safe, high-quality care for children with complex needs. A final extended placement allows you to take greater responsibility and demonstrate the skills and confidence needed to transition into a registered nurse.

Focus areas: Children’s health and wellbeing, evidence-based practice, global health, leadership in nursing, clinical placements and simulation learning.

Learning outcomes: You’ll graduate ready to deliver safe, compassionate, and family-centred care for children and young people, communicate effectively with healthcare teams, apply evidence to practice, and take on leadership roles in nursing.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Fully approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), allowing you to register and practise as a qualified children’s nurse after graduation.

Reputation (employability rankings): Cardiff is ranked 1st in Wales and among the UK’s top 5 universities for Nursing (Complete University Guide 2023). An impressive 95% of graduates are employed or pursuing further study within six months of completing the course.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Cardiff, learning to be a children’s nurse isn’t just about lectures — it’s about getting hands-on from the very start. You’ll gain practical experience in real clinical settings, while also practising in state-of-the-art simulation facilities that mirror real hospital wards and home environments. With support from experienced practitioners and opportunities to work alongside other healthcare students, you’ll develop the skills, confidence, and professional judgment you need to thrive in paediatric nursing.

Here’s how this hands-on learning comes to life:

Simulated hospital ward: Work in “Y Swît,” a realistic children’s ward with advanced paediatric patient simulators (like “Paediatric HAL®”) where you can practise nursing skills, emergency scenarios, and decision-making before stepping into real clinical settings.
Clinical placements: Spend around half of your degree in hospitals and community settings across Wales, providing care to children and young people under the guidance of experienced mentors.
Inter-professional learning: Collaborate with adult and mental health nursing students in shared simulations and professional scenarios, gaining a broader understanding of healthcare teamwork.
Digital learning tools: Access Cardiff’s “Learning Central” virtual learning environment for lectures, interactive modules, webinars, and assignments that complement your practical experience.
Home-care and community simulation: Practice family-centred care in facilities like “Flat 189,” which replicates home environments for community nursing scenarios.
Library & study support: Enjoy access to the 24-hour Heath Park campus library with specialist healthcare collections and quiet study areas to support your academic and clinical learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing the Bachelor of Nursing (Child) at Cardiff University gives you the skills and confidence to step straight into a rewarding career caring for children and their families. Graduates often find themselves in roles such as:

Children’s Nurse in hospitals, clinics, or community settings
Paediatric Research Nurse supporting clinical trials and innovations in child health
Specialist Nurse in areas like oncology, respiratory care, or palliative care
Nurse Educator or Clinical Skills Trainer, mentoring the next generation of nurses

These opportunities are supported by Cardiff’s strong industry connections and dedicated career services:

Graduate Employment Rate: Almost all child nursing graduates secure employment or further study within six months of finishing their degree.
University–Industry Partnerships: Clinical placements and employment opportunities are offered through Cardiff’s close collaboration with NHS Wales and other healthcare providers.
Long-Term Accreditation: The programme is fully validated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), meaning you’re eligible to register as a children’s nurse in the UK and recognized internationally.
Career Support: Cardiff’s Careers & Employability Service helps with CVs, interviews, and job searches, giving you access to a wide network of healthcare employers.
Salary Prospects: While entry-level salaries vary, children’s nurses in the UK enjoy competitive pay with plenty of opportunities for progression and specialization.

Further Academic Progression:
Once you’ve completed your BN (Child), you can continue your studies in several ways:

Postgraduate Study: Master’s degrees in Advanced Clinical Practice, Paediatric Nursing, or Nursing Education.
Doctoral Research: PhD programmes focusing on child health, nursing practice, or clinical research.
Specialist Training: Postgraduate certificates or diplomas in areas such as neonatal care, paediatric intensive care, or child mental health nursing.

Cardiff University provides excellent support for further study, including access to research centres, advanced simulation labs, and continued clinical placements, helping you grow both academically and professionally.