BSc Hons Nursing / RN Children and Young People

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Salford

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Children and Young People’s Nursing at the University of Salford trains you to become a registered nurse specialising in child and adolescent care. If you’re passionate about supporting children, young people, and their families, this programme gives you the hands-on experience, knowledge, and confidence to make a real difference every day.

Curriculum structure
Year 1
In your first year, you’ll get a solid grounding in nursing for children and young people. Modules like Transdisciplinary Science, Voices and Choices, and Introduction to Children and Young People Nursing cover anatomy, physiology, ethics, and working with families. You’ll also start guided practice, learning how to collaborate in inter-professional teams and gain early exposure to real-life child care settings.

Year 2
Year two focuses on building your field-specific skills. Modules such as Children & Young People Field Specific Care Needs, Developing Children and Young People’s Nursing, and Evidence-Based Interventional Nursing give you the chance to apply your learning through case studies and simulated scenarios. You’ll gain confidence in clinical decision-making, supporting children’s health, and delivering evidence-based care.

Year 3
In your final year, you step into the role of a professional practitioner. Modules like Being an Inspiring Children and Young People’s Practitioner, Practice Module – Part 3, and Leading Children and Young People’s Nursing let you take on greater responsibility, develop leadership skills, and reflect critically on your practice. By the end of the year, you’ll be ready to register and confidently practice as a qualified children’s nurse.

Focus areas: child and young person‑centred nursing, family‑inclusive care, evidence‑based practice, leadership in paediatric health settings
Learning outcomes: deliver safe, compassionate nursing care for children and young people; work collaboratively with other professionals; critically apply evidence to practice; function as a registered nurse in paediatric settings
Professional alignment (accreditation): Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling registration as a Children & Young People’s Nurse
Reputation (employability rankings): Strong graduate outcomes — approximately 94% employed or studying 15 months after graduation, with average earnings around £27,000

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Salford, learning goes beyond lectures — you’ll spend around half your time in real hospital and community placements, working directly with children, young people, and their families under the guidance of experienced supervisors. The university also gives you access to state-of-the-art simulation suites and clinical practice wards, so you can practise your skills safely before entering real-life care settings. These hands-on experiences help you build confidence, teamwork, and the practical know-how you need to thrive as a children’s nurse.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Spend 50% of your studies in placements across hospitals, community services, and youth settings in Greater Manchester, gaining exposure to both acute and community paediatric care.
Train in clinical practice wards that replicate real hospital environments, complete with beds, curtains, sinks, AV equipment, and internet connections.
Work with advanced patient simulators, including iStan®, Pedia (child simulator), and Baby Simulator, allowing you to practise everything from routine care to emergency scenarios.
Take part in group workshops, seminars, and inter-professional learning sessions, helping you develop teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.
Learn from experienced mentors and service users, who guide your practice and share insights that textbooks alone can’t provide

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the Children & Young People’s Nursing programme at Salford leave ready to make a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families. You could step into roles such as a Children’s Registered Nurse, School Health Nurse, Paediatric Community Practitioner, or Young People’s Care Coordinator, giving you a wide range of opportunities across hospitals, community services, and schools. Here’s how the university helps you get started:

The Careers & Employability Service provides one-on-one guidance, CV and interview workshops, employer fairs, and specialist events for healthcare students.
Strong graduate outcomes: around 94% of graduates are employed or studying 15 months after finishing the course, with typical salaries around £27,000.
Professional accreditation: the programme is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), so you’ll graduate ready to register as a children & young people’s nurse — giving your qualification real professional value.
Graduates go on to work in hospitals, community settings, schools, or the private and voluntary sectors, and many progress into specialist or leadership roles as they gain experience.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you could continue your studies with postgraduate programmes in paediatric nursing or advanced practice. This allows you to specialise in areas like child health leadership, research, or specialist care, opening doors to senior clinical or management roles.