BNurs (Hons) Children's Nursing with Foundation Year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wolverhampton

Program Overview

The BNurs (Hons) Children’s Nursing with Foundation Year at Wolverhampton gives you the perfect start to a career in paediatric nursing. It’s ideal for students who are passionate about caring for children and young people, helping you develop both the practical skills and confidence to make a real difference in their lives.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year (Year 0):
The foundation year helps you build a solid academic and healthcare base before diving into nursing. You’ll learn the basics of the human body in Introduction to the Human Body, develop your study and research skills in Preparing for a Professional Course, and explore important topics like Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Ethics, laying the foundation for compassionate, professional practice.

Year 1 (Level 4):
In your first year, you’ll split your time between university learning and real-world placements. Foundations of Healthcare Practice introduces legal and ethical principles, while Inclusive and Collaborative Practice teaches you how to communicate effectively with children, families, and healthcare teams. In The Human Life Journey, you’ll understand public health and how children’s needs evolve through different stages of life.

Year 2 (Level 5):
This year, your learning focuses more on children-specific care. Challenges to Health and Wellbeing covers health inequalities and promotion, while Contemporary Evidence Based Practice in Children’s Nursing shows you how to apply research to paediatric care. Skills for Safe and Effective Practice ensures you’re confident with clinical procedures and providing safe, person-centered care for children and young people.

Year 3 (Level 6):
Your final year is all about preparing to become a registered children’s nurse. Advancing Skills in Contemporary Children’s Nursing Practice develops your ability to assess and care for complex physical, mental, and behavioural needs, and Enhancing Safety and Quality of Care focuses on patient safety and healthcare policy. The Independent Inquiry Module gives you the chance to explore a topic you’re passionate about, while Preparing for Transition as a Registered Practitioner equips you with leadership skills and professional confidence.

Focus Areas

Children & young people’s nursing, paediatric health, evidence-based care, public health, professional practice, clinical assessment, leadership in nursing.

Learning Outcomes

Deliver safe, age-appropriate care; communicate effectively with patients, families, and teams; critically apply evidence to practice; lead and coordinate care; reflect and grow as a professional nurse.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), allowing you to register as a qualified children’s nurse once you graduate.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

The University of Wolverhampton is ranked 21st in the UK for Children’s Nursing according to The Guardian University Guide 2025, with strong graduate outcomes and excellent support for employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Wolverhampton, learning children’s nursing is all about hands-on experience from day one. You won’t just be reading about care — you’ll spend time in hospitals and community placements, working alongside experienced nurses and caring for real children and families. On campus, you’ll also use state-of-the-art simulation facilities where you can practice emergency scenarios, clinical skills, and communication in a safe, supportive environment before stepping into real-world settings.

Here’s how your practical learning comes to life:

Clinical Placements – Around half of your course is spent on placements across NHS Trusts, including Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Sandwell & West Birmingham, Shrewsbury & Telford, and Derby & Burton. This gives you real hands-on experience with children and young people.
Simulated Learning Environments – Practice in mock hospital wards and realistic care settings on campus to gain confidence in a safe space.
Inter‑professional Learning – Work alongside students from other healthcare programs, just like a real NHS team, to develop teamwork and collaboration skills.
Service-User Involvement – Learn directly from people with lived experience to understand patient perspectives and deliver truly person-centred care.
Placement Support – Dedicated lecturers and placement managers guide you throughout your practice hours, helping you make the most of each learning opportunity.
Travel Support – First-year students receive a travel fund to help attend placements and university sessions.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from Wolverhampton’s BNurs (Hons) Children’s Nursing puts you in a fantastic position to start a meaningful career working with children and young people. You’ll be eligible to register as a qualified children’s nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), opening doors to a variety of rewarding roles. Typical career paths include:

Registered Children’s (Paediatric) Nurse in hospitals or community healthcare
Clinical Nurse Educator helping train and support healthcare teams
Nurse Manager / Team Leader in paediatric wards or specialist units
Research Nurse or Consultant in paediatric health or public health

Here’s how the University helps you launch your career and what opportunities you can tap into:

Career & Employability Support – The School of Nursing works closely with NHS Trusts (e.g., Royal Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Sandwell & West Birmingham, Derby & Burton, Shrewsbury & Telford) to support placements and help you secure your first job.
Professional Accreditation – Your degree is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), meaning you can practice professionally right after graduation.
Strong Industry Partnerships – Clinical placements give you real-world experience and professional connections in leading NHS Trusts.
Graduate Outcomes – You’ll leave with the skills, confidence, and clinical knowledge to work effectively in a wide range of paediatric settings.
Long-Term Value – NMC registration is recognized internationally, giving you flexibility and credibility wherever your career takes you.

Further Academic Progression:

After your BNurs, you could pursue a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or Master’s in Children’s Nursing to specialize further, strengthen your research skills, or prepare for leadership roles.
You might also choose specialist or clinical leadership training, opening doors to management, consultancy, or educational roles within children’s health services.