BSc Professional Nursing Children and Young People

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queens University Belfast

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and young people, Queen’s University Belfast’s BSc (Hons) Professional Nursing (Children and Young People) is designed for you. This three-year program combines classroom learning with hands-on clinical placements, giving you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide high-quality, child-centred care in a variety of healthcare settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Foundations of Nursing Practice
Your first year focuses on the basics of nursing, child development, and communication skills. Key modules like Foundations of Nursing Practice, Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan, and Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Nursing introduce the fundamentals of caring for children and young people, while you begin your clinical placements to apply theory in real-world settings.

Year 2 – Developing Clinical Competence
In year two, you’ll build on your foundation and develop more specialized clinical skills. Modules such as Child and Family-Centred Care, Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Paediatric Nursing, and Research and Evidence-Based Practice prepare you to handle diverse paediatric cases. You’ll also spend more time on placements, working in hospitals and community health services to gain hands-on experience.

Year 3 – Advanced Practice and Leadership
Your final year emphasizes advanced nursing practice, leadership, and preparing for professional registration. With modules like Advanced Paediatric Nursing Practice, Leadership and Management in Healthcare, and Preparation for Registration with the NMC, you’ll consolidate your learning, complete significant clinical placements, and step confidently into your role as a registered children’s nurse.

Focus Areas: Child and family-centred care, Developmental and behavioural health, Clinical leadership and management, Evidence-based practice and research, Interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare

Learning Outcomes: Provide compassionate, competent care to children and young people, demonstrate leadership and management skills, apply research to improve practice, communicate effectively with families and healthcare teams, work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling registration as a children’s nurse in the UK

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Queen’s University Belfast is recognized for excellence in nursing education, with high student satisfaction and strong employability outcomes for graduates

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BSc (Hons) Professional Nursing (Children and Young People) program at Queen’s University Belfast gives you far more than classroom knowledge. From the very start, you’ll develop practical skills and confidence through hands-on experiences, preparing you to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to children and young people.

Here’s how your learning comes to life:

Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite: Practice and refine your clinical skills in a realistic, safe environment, using state-of-the-art equipment.
Practice Placements: Gain hands-on experience in hospitals, community settings, and other healthcare environments, putting your learning directly into practice.
Interdisciplinary Learning: Work alongside students from other healthcare disciplines, building teamwork and a holistic approach to patient care.
Simulation-Based Learning: Engage with high-fidelity simulations to improve your clinical decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
Clinical Practice Awards: Be recognized for excellence in practice, motivating you to maintain high standards and professional growth.

These opportunities are designed to ensure that by the time you graduate, you’re not only knowledgeable but also confident, skilled, and ready to thrive in the nursing profession.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with a BSc (Hons) Professional Nursing (Children and Young People) from Queen’s University Belfast sets you up for a rewarding career caring for children and young people in a variety of healthcare settings. The program’s combination of academic learning and hands-on clinical placements means you’ll be confident and ready to step into roles where you can make a real difference. Typical career paths include:

Career Paths:
Registered Children’s Nurse, Paediatric Nurse Specialist, Community Children’s Nurse, Clinical Nurse Educator

Support and Resources for Employment:

Career Development Centre: Personalized guidance, CV workshops, and interview preparation to help you land your first role.
Practice Placements: Real-world experience in hospitals and community health settings that builds confidence and professional networks.
Graduate Employability Programs: Partnerships with healthcare providers to support your transition into employment.

Employment Stats & Professional Recognition:

While specific salaries vary, Queen’s University Belfast graduates enjoy strong employability outcomes thanks to the university’s industry connections.
The program is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), allowing you to register as a children’s nurse in the UK and giving your qualifications long-term professional value.

Further Academic Progression:
After your BSc, there are plenty of opportunities to specialize or advance your career:

MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Care of Children and Young People: Develop advanced clinical and leadership skills in paediatric nursing.
MSc Nurse and Midwife Prescribing: Gain authority to prescribe medications safely and professionally.
PhD Opportunities: Engage in research to contribute to the future of nursing education and practice.

These options allow you to grow into leadership roles, specialize in a field you’re passionate about, or contribute to cutting-edge research in nursing.