BSc(Hons) Nursing (Child)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Brighton

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about supporting children and their families through health challenges, Brighton’s Child Nursing degree combines hands-on training with academic learning so you graduate ready to make a real difference. The course balances classroom study with practical placements, giving you the confidence and skills to care for children and young people in hospitals, clinics, and the community.

Curriculum Structure

Year One

Your first year introduces you to the fundamentals of child nursing, helping you develop a strong foundation in care, communication, and child development. Through modules like “Nursing Assessment in Partnership with People” and “Planning Nursing Care in Partnership with People”, you’ll learn to assess children holistically and plan care that considers their physical, emotional, and family needs. Early placements let you start practising basic nursing skills under supervision, building your confidence in real-world settings.

Year Two

In the second year, you’ll take on more complex care situations, learning how to support children with long-term or acute health needs. Placements in hospitals and community settings allow you to apply your knowledge in real situations, while modules develop your understanding of paediatric pathology, growth and development, and family-centred care. You’ll learn to work more independently, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, effective care.

Year Three

The final year focuses on consolidating your skills and preparing you for professional practice. You’ll refine your clinical judgment, manage more challenging cases, and take a leading role during placements under supervision. By graduation, you’ll be ready to step confidently into roles caring for children, adolescents, and their families, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to succeed as a professional children’s nurse.

Focus areas: child and adolescent nursing, paediatric health & development, family-centred care, acute and long-term paediatric conditions, hospital and community care, evidence-based practice, health promotion

Learning outcomes: deliver safe and compassionate care to children and young people; understand growth, development, and paediatric health; assess and plan care considering family dynamics; manage acute and long-term paediatric health needs; work effectively in multidisciplinary teams; prepare for professional registration and practice

Professional alignment (accreditation): Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), allowing graduates to register and practice as children’s nurses in the UK

Reputation (employability rankings): Many graduates secure roles in children’s wards, community child health services, and paediatric care, reflecting the course’s strong practical and professional focus

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Brighton, Child Nursing isn’t just about reading textbooks — it’s about learning by doing. From the very first year, you’ll experience a mix of simulated practice and real-world placements, helping you build confidence, hands-on skills, and a genuine understanding of what it’s like to care for children and young people. The university’s facilities make it safe to practise and make mistakes, so by the time you step into a hospital or community setting, you’re ready to shine.

Here’s how practical learning comes to life on this course:

Clinical Skills & Simulation Suites – train in realistic wards and care-setting replicas using mannequins and child-focused equipment to practise procedures and communication before working with real patients.
Mock wards and community flats – experience child-centred assessments, care planning, and family interactions in environments designed to mirror real-life settings.
Real-world placements – gain hands-on experience across hospitals, paediatric units, and community health services, working alongside qualified nurses and multidisciplinary teams.
Integrated academic and practical schedule – alternate between university-based study and placements, applying theory immediately to practice.
Supportive mentoring and supervision – learn under the guidance of practice supervisors, academic tutors, and peers, with ongoing feedback to help you grow as a confident, compassionate nurse.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing Brighton’s Child Nursing degree sets you up to step straight into a rewarding career caring for children and supporting families. With hands-on experience from placements and full eligibility to register as a nurse, you’ll be ready to make an impact in real healthcare settings. Typical roles graduates take on include: Children’s Nurse, Paediatric Ward Nurse, Community Child Health Nurse, School Health Nurse, or Specialist Paediatric Practitioner.

Here’s how Brighton supports your career journey:

Careers & Employability Service – get guidance with CVs, applications, interviews, and access to nursing-specific graduate vacancies.
Strong graduate employment – around 88 % of Nursing and Midwifery graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing.
Competitive earning potential – median salaries for graduates are around £28,500 soon after completing the course.
Professional accreditation – the course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), allowing you to register and practice as a children’s nurse in the UK.
Flexible career paths – work in hospitals, community health, schools, or specialist paediatric care, giving you options to shape a career that suits your passion.

Further Academic Progression:
After this degree, you could continue your studies with postgraduate courses in areas like advanced paediatric care, child and family health, or health leadership. This can open doors to specialist nursing roles, senior clinical positions, research opportunities, or educational roles within healthcare.