BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children's)

3 Year On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Derby

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about helping children and supporting families through their health journeys, the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children’s) at Derby is designed for you. You’ll combine hands-on clinical placements with practical and theoretical learning, gaining the skills, confidence, and compassion to care for children and young people in a variety of healthcare settings and become a fully registered children’s nurse.

Curriculum structure:
Year 1: You’ll start with modules such as Being an Accountable Professional in the Four Fields of Nursing (Shared), Assessing Needs and Planning Care, and Future Nurse. This year focuses on the fundamentals — understanding children’s health, learning how to assess needs, and developing the essential nursing skills required to work safely and confidently in practice.

Year 2: In your second year, modules like Developing Professional Knowledge and Values in Children’s Nursing and Practice Assessment Part 2 (Children's Nursing) help you apply your learning in more complex situations. You’ll work with children across different age groups, collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and start to lead aspects of care planning while thinking critically about your practice.

Year 3: Your final year prepares you for professional practice with modules such as Enhancing Knowledge and Skills in Child Nursing and Being a Professional (Children’s Nursing). You’ll refine leadership and decision-making skills, coordinate care for children and families, and consolidate your readiness to step confidently into your role as a registered children’s nurse.

Focus areas:
Children’s nursing, family-centred care, neonates and young people, evidence-based practice, professional development, leadership in paediatric nursing.

Learning outcomes:
You’ll graduate ready to deliver safe, compassionate, and effective care for children and young people; work confidently within healthcare teams; apply research and theory in practice; and take on leadership responsibilities as a registered children’s nurse.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This programme is fully accredited by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), so upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to register and practice as a professional children’s nurse.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Derby graduates from this programme enjoy strong employability, with 94% of UK graduates in work or further study soon after completing their degree, and the university is ranked 2nd for employability in relevant subjects.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Derby, children’s nursing is all about learning by doing. From your first year, you’ll gain hands-on experience in realistic clinical settings, practicing essential skills in mock wards, treatment rooms, and through immersive virtual reality simulations. You’ll also spend significant time on placements in hospitals, clinics, and community settings, caring for children and young people under the guidance of experienced supervisors. Along the way, you’ll collaborate with students from other health professions, giving you the teamwork skills needed in real healthcare environments. Your practical learning includes:

Extensive practice placements — at least 2,300 hours across hospitals, clinics, and community settings, including 24-hour care shifts.
Clinical Skills Suite — equipped with replica wards, treatment rooms, counselling spaces, and realistic manikins to practice procedures safely.
Immersive Simulation Suite — virtual reality and interactive 3D scenarios that let you safely experience complex and urgent paediatric care situations.
Digital learning tools — access to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and platforms like Clinical Skills Net for tutorials in anatomy, physiology, and paediatric procedures.
Multi-professional collaboration — work alongside students from other nursing and health courses, developing essential communication and teamwork skills.
Guided supervision — Practice Supervisors and Assessors support you throughout placements, helping you reflect on your learning and prepare for professional practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children’s) at Derby opens the door to a rewarding career supporting children, young people, and their families. You could work as a Registered Children’s Nurse, School Health Nurse, Community Child Health Practitioner, or a Neonatal Specialist Nurse. With the combination of hands-on placements, professional guidance, and academic learning, you’ll be ready to take on real-world roles with confidence:

Careers & Employability support — one-to-one advice, CV and interview guidance, and access to career fairs attended by healthcare employers to help you secure your first role.
Strong employment outcomes — around 94% of graduates from this programme are in work or further study soon after finishing.
Graduate salaries — typical starting salaries are around £25,500 within 15 months of graduation.
Professional accreditation — fully approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling you to register and work as a professional children’s nurse.
University–industry links — placements with hospitals, community teams, care homes, and school-based services give you practical experience and employer contacts even before you graduate.
Graduate outcomes — many students secure jobs prior to finishing their degree, thanks to the high demand for qualified children’s nurses and the strong reputation of the course.

Further Academic Progression:
Once you’ve completed this degree, there are plenty of pathways to continue your education. You could pursue an MSc in Children’s Nursing, specialise in areas such as neonatal care or health visiting, or even move into doctoral-level research in child health. Derby offers a range of postgraduate options to help you advance in your career and take on leadership or specialist roles.