BSc Professional Nursing Adult Nursing

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queens University Belfast

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about providing high-quality care to adults and want a career where you can make a real difference every day, Queen’s University Belfast’s BSc (Hons) Professional Nursing (Adult Nursing) is the perfect place to start. This three-year program combines classroom learning with hands-on clinical placements, giving you the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to become a registered adult nurse in a variety of healthcare settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Foundations of Nursing Practice
In your first year, you’ll focus on the fundamentals of nursing. Modules like Foundations of Nursing Practice, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Communication and Interpersonal Skills introduce core concepts while giving you the chance to start clinical placements. These early experiences help you apply theory to practice and develop confidence in real-world healthcare settings.

Year 2 – Developing Adult Nursing Skills
The second year builds on your foundation, with modules such as Adult Nursing Practice, Pharmacology for Nursing Practice, and Pathophysiology. You’ll take on more responsibility during your clinical placements, gaining deeper hands-on experience caring for adults with a range of health needs.

Year 3 – Advanced Practice and Leadership
In your final year, you’ll focus on leadership, research, and advanced clinical skills. Modules like Leadership in Nursing, Advanced Clinical Skills, and Research in Nursing prepare you to take initiative in professional practice. You’ll also complete a significant research project and your final clinical placements, ensuring you’re ready to register as a professional adult nurse.

Focus Areas: Adult Nursing, Person-Centred Care, Clinical Practice, Leadership, Research in Nursing

Learning Outcomes: Develop clinical competence, communicate effectively, apply critical thinking, demonstrate leadership, and utilize research in practice

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling registration as a professional adult nurse in the UK and internationally

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Queen’s University Belfast is highly regarded for its strong links with healthcare providers, with graduates enjoying excellent employability in the nursing field

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Queen’s University Belfast, becoming a skilled adult nurse goes far beyond the classroom. The BSc (Hons) Professional Nursing (Adult Nursing) program gives you hands-on experience from the start, blending real-world clinical placements with state-of-the-art simulation facilities and collaborative learning opportunities. These experiences help you develop confidence, clinical skills, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate effectively in complex healthcare environments.

Here’s how your practical learning comes to life:

Clinical Placements: Gain first-hand experience in hospitals, community health centres, and other healthcare settings, applying what you’ve learned in lectures to real patient care.
Simulation Suites: Practice in the KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim Centre, featuring Acute Care Wards and Innovation Suites where realistic patient scenarios help you build essential skills safely.
Interprofessional Education: Work alongside students from other healthcare disciplines, learning how to collaborate effectively as part of a multi-professional team.
Research Projects: In your final year, contribute to nursing research, helping improve care practices and evidence-based nursing.
Specialized Facilities: Access the Clinical Skills Education Centre and other modern spaces equipped with up-to-date medical technology to enhance your learning.

These hands-on experiences ensure that when you graduate, you’ll not only have the knowledge but also the practical skills and confidence to thrive as an adult nurse.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with a BSc (Hons) Professional Nursing (Adult Nursing) from Queen’s University Belfast opens the door to a fulfilling and rewarding career in healthcare. The program’s combination of academic study and hands-on clinical placements ensures that you’re ready to take on a variety of nursing roles with confidence and competence. Many graduates go on to work in hospitals, community health services, and other healthcare settings, making a real difference in patients’ lives.

Career Paths:
Registered Adult Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator, Healthcare Manager

Support and Resources for Employment:

Personal Tutor System: Offers tailored academic and career guidance throughout your studies.
Careers and Employability Service: Provides CV workshops, interview preparation, and career advice to help you succeed.
Clinical Placement Opportunities: Gain real-world experience, build professional networks, and develop practical skills in diverse healthcare environments.

Employment Statistics:

Employment Rate: 93% of graduates are employed or pursuing further studies within 15 months of completing the program.
Average Salary: Around £27,000 per year for adult nursing graduates 15 months post-graduation.

University–Industry Partnerships:

Healthcare Collaborations: Queen’s partners with leading healthcare providers, giving students access to a wide range of clinical placements and exposure to different care settings.

Accreditation and Professional Recognition:

Fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling graduates to register as adult nurses and ensuring long-term professional credibility.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BSc, graduates can pursue advanced studies such as the MSc Professional Nursing at Queen’s University Belfast. This postgraduate program allows registered nurses to specialize, develop leadership skills, and gain advanced clinical expertise, aligning with the NMC’s Future Nurse standards and preparing you for the evolving demands of healthcare.