BSc Nursing (Children's)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Keele University

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) in Children's Nursing at Keele University is perfect for anyone passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families. This program combines in-depth theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience, preparing you to deliver high-quality, compassionate care across a variety of healthcare settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Foundations of Children's Nursing
In your first year, you’ll get to grips with the core principles of children’s nursing. Through modules like Clinical Nursing Practice 1, you’ll develop essential clinical skills such as basic life support, monitoring vital signs, and managing medications. You’ll also gain your first experiences in simulated and real clinical settings, putting theory into practice from the very start.

Year 2: Advanced Clinical Practice and Child Development
The second year builds on these foundations, exploring advanced clinical practices and the stages of child development. Modules like Clinical Nursing Practice 2 and Child and Family Health focus on managing complex care needs, enhancing communication skills, and learning how to provide family-centered care. You’ll continue to strengthen your clinical abilities through practical placements and hands-on assessments.

Year 3: Leadership and Professional Practice
In your final year, the focus shifts to leadership, professional practice, and preparing for your transition to registered nurse status. Modules such as Leadership in Nursing and Transition to Professional Practice help you develop decision-making skills, leadership abilities, and the confidence needed for professional practice. Your final assessments will ensure you’re fully prepared for a rewarding nursing career.

Focus Areas
Child and family-centered care, clinical skills development, teamwork with multidisciplinary professionals, leadership in nursing, and professional practice readiness.

Learning Outcomes
Gain competence in clinical nursing skills, communicate effectively with children and families, develop leadership capabilities, and meet the professional standards required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The program is fully approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), meaning graduates are eligible to register as children’s nurses and begin their professional careers immediately.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Keele University is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for Nursing by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and holds the top position in the West Midlands for Children’s Nursing according to the Guardian University Guide 2026.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Keele University, the Children’s Nursing BSc (Hons) program is all about learning by doing. From your first year, you’ll gain hands-on experience in real clinical settings, developing the skills, confidence, and compassion needed to care for children, young people, and their families. You won’t just study theory—you’ll apply it through clinical placements, simulation exercises, and skills labs, preparing you for the realities of a rewarding nursing career.

Here’s how Keele supports your practical learning:

Clinical Placements: Gain a minimum of 2,300 hours of real-world experience in hospitals, community centers, and patients’ homes, guided by experienced mentors.
Simulation Facilities: Practice on high-fidelity mannequins in realistic scenarios, allowing you to refine your skills safely before working with real patients.
Clinical Skills Laboratories: Access modern labs where you can develop and demonstrate safe, evidence-based nursing practice.
Clinical Education Centre (CEC): Located at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, this centre provides a state-of-the-art clinical learning environment shared with the School of Medicine.
Health Library: Use the specialist collection of books, journals, and online resources at the CEC to support both your academic and clinical learning.

These experiences are carefully designed to ensure that by the time you graduate, you’re ready to provide high-quality, compassionate care in a variety of healthcare settings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Keele University’s Children’s Nursing BSc (Hons) program opens the door to a wide range of rewarding careers in pediatric healthcare. You’ll leave with a strong foundation in clinical skills, compassionate care, and professional practice, ready to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families. This hands-on training ensures you’re prepared to step confidently into the workforce:

Typical career paths include:

Pediatric Nurse – Providing specialized care to children in hospitals and clinics.
Community Children’s Nurse – Supporting children and families in their homes and local communities.
Neonatal Nurse – Caring for newborns, including those born prematurely or with health complications.
School Nurse – Promoting health and managing care in school environments.
Health Visitor – Supporting families with young children to ensure healthy development.
Specialist Nurse Roles – Focusing on areas such as diabetes, asthma, or oncology in children.

Keele University supports your career journey with practical services and opportunities:

Careers and Employability Services – Personalized advice on job searches, CV writing, and interview preparation.
Placement Opportunities – Extensive clinical placements to gain real-world experience.
Alumni Network – Connect with graduates for mentorship, guidance, and networking.
University–Industry Partnerships – Strong links with NHS Trusts and the independent sector provide practical experience and potential employment.
Accreditation & Employment Outcomes – Fully approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), with a high graduate employment rate reflecting the program’s quality.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BSc (Hons), you can continue your studies to specialize or move into leadership roles:

MSc in Children’s Nursing – Focus on areas like pediatric intensive care or community children’s nursing.
Postgraduate Certificates or Diplomas – Specialize in neonatal care, child protection, or pediatric pain management.
Doctoral Studies (PhD) – Conduct research to advance pediatric nursing practice and policy.

These pathways help you expand your expertise, take on advanced clinical responsibilities, and progress into leadership positions within healthcare.