BSc (Hons) Nursing Science Registered Nurse (Child)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Northumbria University

Program Overview

If you want a career where you can make a real difference in the lives of children and their families, this degree is a perfect fit. The course prepares you to become a skilled and compassionate children’s nurse, blending hands-on experience with the latest nursing science to help you deliver safe, effective, and family-centred care.

Curriculum structure

Year 1:
Your first year focuses on building the core skills and knowledge you’ll need as a children’s nurse. You’ll explore how children grow, develop, and respond to illness through modules like Introduction to Children and Young People’s Health and Illness and Applied Life and Social Sciences. You’ll also take Becoming a Safe, Caring Professional and Introduction to Nursing Assessment Skills, where you’ll practise essential clinical skills in simulation labs before applying them during your first placement in real healthcare settings.

Year 2:
In your second year, you’ll start to work more independently and gain deeper insight into complex healthcare needs. Modules such as Psychosocial Approaches for Children and Young People and Perspectives of Complex Care in Children’s Nursing will help you understand how to support young patients through more challenging health journeys. You’ll also enhance your evidence-based practice in Developing Shared Decision Making and Developing Evidence-Based Skills for Best Practice — preparing you to work confidently as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Year 3:
Your final year is all about becoming a leader in children’s nursing. Through Transition to Accountable Practitioner and Leading and Improving Safety and Care Quality, you’ll learn how to lead teams, manage care safely, and improve healthcare systems. Your last placement will see you take on greater responsibility, applying everything you’ve learned to deliver outstanding care and prepare for professional registration.

Focus areas:
Children and young people’s health, family-centred care, clinical skills, leadership, quality improvement, and research-informed practice.

Learning outcomes:
By graduation, you’ll be ready to provide safe, evidence-based care to babies, children, and young people, lead and support healthcare teams, think critically in fast-changing situations, and make a lasting impact in children’s health.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This course meets the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) standards for registration as a Registered Nurse (Child) in the UK.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Northumbria is ranked 1st in the UK for Children’s Nursing (The Guardian University Guide 2026), and 100% of graduates from this course are in highly skilled employment or further study within 15 months of graduating.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From day one, this course is designed to get you hands-on in real-world nursing. You’ll split your time between lectures on campus and practice placements in children’s health settings, meaning what you learn in class is immediately put into practice. The Clinical Skills Centre lets you practise in a safe, realistic environment using advanced mannequins and virtual reality simulations before you ever step into a real ward. You’ll also have access to digital tools, research resources, and collaborative exercises that make learning interactive and applied. This combination ensures you’re confident, competent, and ready for the challenges of children’s nursing:

Clinical Skills Centre: Practise assessments and procedures on mannequins like SimMan and SimBaby, plus virtual reality scenarios that mimic real-life children’s nursing situations.
Practice placements: Gain hands-on experience in hospitals, clinics, and community settings, working directly with children, young people, and families under expert supervision.
Digital learning tools: Use Blackboard and other online platforms to access study materials, submit assignments, and track placement progress.
Library and study support: Access Northumbria’s extensive library resources anytime for research, case studies, or quiet study.
Research and evidence-based projects: Apply research directly to care practices, helping you understand not just how to care, but why care works.
Teamwork and leadership exercises: Collaborate with peers and healthcare professionals, practising decision-making, leadership, and communication in real scenarios.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this course opens doors to a rewarding career caring for children and young people. You’ll be fully prepared to register as a qualified children’s nurse, ready to make a difference in hospitals, community settings, or specialized care units. Typical roles graduates move into include:

Registered Children’s Nurse – delivering day-to-day care for babies, children, and young people with a range of conditions.
Pediatric Nurse Specialist – focusing on areas like oncology, cardiology, or respiratory care.
Community Children’s Nurse – supporting children with long-term conditions in homes or local clinics.
Nurse Educator or Clinical Trainer – mentoring and teaching the next generation of nurses.

The university provides strong support to help you step confidently into your career:

Careers and Employability Service – one-on-one career advice, CV workshops, and mock interviews to get you job-ready.
Placements with NHS Trusts – hands-on experience in real hospitals and healthcare settings, giving you a head start in your professional life.
Alumni Network – connect with graduates who can offer guidance, advice, and networking opportunities.

Employment stats and industry insight:

95% of graduates are in highly skilled employment or further study within 15 months.
Average starting salary: around £27,000 per year.
NHS and healthcare partnerships give you access to a wide range of placements and practical learning experiences.

Accreditation and long-term value:

Fully accredited by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), so you can register as a children’s nurse in the UK.
The degree is recognized internationally, opening doors to work abroad.

Graduation outcomes:

High student satisfaction, with the majority saying the course challenged them to achieve their best.
Graduates leave ready for clinical, leadership, or educational roles in children’s health.

Further Academic Progression:
After your BSc, you can continue to grow your expertise:

Postgraduate degrees in Pediatric Nursing, Advanced Clinical Practice, or Nursing Education.
Doctoral research (PhD) in child health, nursing practices, or healthcare policy.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for specialized areas like neonatal care, pediatric oncology, or child mental health.

These options give you the flexibility to shape your career and become a highly skilled, specialist nurse or leader in children’s healthcare.