BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Edge Hill University

Program Overview

If you love helping children and want a career where you can make a real difference in young lives, the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child) at Edge Hill University is a perfect fit. The course combines hands-on clinical practice with supportive, evidence-based learning, giving you the skills and confidence to care for children and their families in hospitals, community settings, and specialist services.

Curriculum structure

Year 1 – Building the foundations of child nursing
In your first year, you’ll learn the core skills every children’s nurse needs, from understanding child development and health conditions to safe care delivery and professional communication. Modules such as Foundations of Child Nursing Practice and Professional and Personal Development will help you start applying theory in real-life practice placements, giving you a taste of what working with children is really like.

Year 2 – Developing confidence and clinical skills
Your second year focuses on growing your clinical abilities and decision-making skills. You’ll study modules like Developing Proficiencies for Nursing Practice and Assessing and Planning Care, learning how to assess children’s needs, plan safe care, promote health, and work alongside families and multidisciplinary teams. Practice placements become more complex, helping you gain confidence in a variety of care settings.

Year 3 – Becoming a registered children’s nurse
In your final year, the emphasis is on preparing you for professional practice. Modules such as Preparing for Professional Practice and Evidence-Based Nursing develop your critical thinking, leadership, and advanced clinical skills, so you step into your first role as a qualified children’s nurse ready to make an impact.

Focus areas: child health assessment, family-centred care, clinical decision-making, health promotion, evidence-based practice

Learning outcomes: deliver safe and compassionate care for children and young people, perform thorough clinical assessments, plan and evaluate care effectively, and be fully prepared for registered nursing practice

Professional alignment (accreditation): Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), meaning you can register as a qualified children’s nurse on graduation

Reputation (employability rankings): Edge Hill’s nursing courses are highly regarded, offering excellent practical training and strong graduate outcomes across NHS and community settings

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Edge Hill University, the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child) course is designed so that you’re not just learning about nursing—you’re practicing it. From your very first year, you’ll spend around 50% of your time in professional placements, caring for children and young people in hospitals, community settings, and specialist services. On campus, the Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre gives you a safe, realistic environment to practice everything from routine care to emergency scenarios, using mock wards, home care suites, and full-body patient simulators. This combination of hands-on practice and real-world experience helps you build confidence, clinical skills, and professional judgment:

Professional Practice Placements: Work alongside qualified practitioners in NHS hospitals, community health teams, and local care settings, gaining hands-on experience in ward care, community nursing, and multidisciplinary teamwork.
Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre: Practice assessments, procedures, and patient interactions in realistic environments, including mock wards, consultation rooms, and the ‘Better at Home’ suite.
Simulation Debriefing and Reflection: Reflect on scenarios with tutors and peers to improve your clinical thinking, decision-making, and communication skills.
Interprofessional Learning: Collaborate with students from other healthcare programs, building teamwork and communication skills essential for real practice.
Technology-Enhanced Learning: Use digital tools and virtual resources to reinforce your understanding of child health, care planning, and clinical reasoning.
Campus Learning Resources: Access the Catalyst library and online academic support to prepare for placements and connect theory with practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child) at Edge Hill University opens the door to a rewarding career making a real difference in the lives of children and their families. Many graduates go on to work as Registered Children’s Nurses, Community Paediatric Nurses, Specialist Practice Nurses, Healthcare Team Leaders, Child Health Educators, or Clinical Research Nurses, using the skills and confidence they’ve developed throughout their studies:

Careers support tailored to you: Edge Hill’s Careers team is there every step of the way, offering personalised guidance, CV and interview support, and connections to job opportunities, helping you move seamlessly from student life into your professional career.
Strong employment outcomes: Around 90% of nursing graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, with the majority taking up skilled roles in healthcare that match their passion and training.
Salary prospects: Early-career children’s nurses can expect salaries around £28,000, with strong potential to grow as you gain experience and specialise in your field.
Industry-linked placements: Your practice learning happens in NHS hospitals, community teams, and paediatric care settings, giving you real-world experience and professional networks before you graduate.
Accreditation with lifelong value: Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), this qualification allows you to register as a children’s nurse in the UK and provides a professional licence that supports your career development throughout your life.
Graduate satisfaction: A high number of graduates find work that aligns with their goals and report feeling well-prepared for the responsibilities of their roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your degree, you can continue to specialise and grow through postgraduate study, such as a Master’s in Advanced Practice, Healthcare Leadership, or specialised pathways in Paediatric Care, Child Mental Health, or Clinical Education. These options can lead to senior clinical roles, research, teaching, or management positions, giving you even more opportunities to shape a meaningful and impactful career in children’s healthcare.