Children and Young People’s Nursing BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  Children and Young People’s Nursing offers a fulfilling career where you can provide companioned care for children and young people. As a Children and Young People’s Nurse, you have a chance to make a positive impact on the well-being of young patients, fostering and nurturing an environment that supports their health and development. Find out if the Children and Young People’s Nursing is for you.

  Our three-year children’s nursing degree gives you the ability to cope with a demanding and satisfying profession, leading to a BSc Children and Young People’s Nursing qualification and registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

  We offer extra student support throughout your studies and during practice, meaning you are supported by a Nursing Academic during your placement. Our University is part of a well-established, professional European network for Nursing and Midwifery*. The Florence Network* offers opportunities for future health careers and development to staff, academics and students.

  From September 2019 we have been offering an exciting new curriculum based on The Nursing and Midwifery Standards for Education 2018. The curriculum is innovative utilising an active blend learning approach and an extensive range of support. The curriculum offers placement learning opportunities throughout Northamptonshire and beyond, including Europe and internationally.

  Taught elements will include:

  • Discovering your identity as a Children and Young Peoples nurse.
  • Medication management.
  • Transforming and leading in Children’s Services.
  • Detailed anatomy and physiological of the child and young person.
  • An understanding of Mental Health in Children and Young People.
  • Assessing, planning and providing nursing care.

  Our Children and Young People’s Nursing course is ranked 8th in the Best UK University Guardian League table (2022).

  We have implemented a dedicated Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) programme to support you in managing young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing, providing a holistic approach to nursing.

  Within our new University campus, we have a purpose-built clinical ward where you can learn and develop your skills through practice-based, hands-on training. Through multiple methods of teaching, you will experience skills training that offers the most hyper-realistic manikins available which will challenge your notion of simulated realism. In addition, you can benefit from our new VR (Virtual Reality) Training system, the first to be used in undergraduate Nursing, and the latest equipment in advanced technology for simulation.

  Choose to study with us and you will have the perfect combination of our experience, bespoke placements and the latest technology to prepare for this chosen career.

  For more information, please view this YouTube video which explains our active blended approach.

  List of modules:

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • Stage 1
    • Interprofessional Education (IPE)
      Module code: FHS_IPE20

      Status: Compulsory
    • Discovering My Identity as a Nurse (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR1027

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop nursing students self awareness, personal and professional resilience and professional identity as a nurse understanding how health science, social and political knowledge, behaviour, vocabulary and skills form their nursing identity. Additionally the module will develop communication skills and understanding of how constructive feedback can be used to evaluate self and effect positive change.
    • Professionalism and Public Protection in Nursing (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR1028

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide the student nurse with underpinning theoretical knowledge of the scientific, legal, professional and personal context of nursing in order to participate in practice safely, ethically and lawfully across all fields of nursing and within a range of clinical practice settings.
    • Exploring the Evidence Base for Nursing (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR1029

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to equip nursing students with the theoretical foundation, skills and evidenced based knowledge to fully participate in person centred decision making, influence positive lifestyle choices and beginning the students? own professional development.
    • Guided Participation in Nursing Care (60 Credits)
      Module code: NPR1031P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide the essential clinical learning and simulation and practice experiences a student requires to achieve the NMC proficiencies, enabling progression through to the 2nd part of the programme. Through their electronic portfolio (Pebblepad), signed by their practice supervisor and practice assessor, and moderated by the academic assessor, students will demonstrate achievement of the skills and professional behaviours identified at the first progression point by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. During clinical learning all students will be required to undertake clinical skills via a range of simulation techniques to meet the Achievement of Proficiency in the PAD. These will be signed off by the Module Team/Practice Assessor.
  • Stage 2
    • Constructing and Developing My Nursing Identity (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR2067

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to further develop adult, children and young people?s, mental health and learning disability nursing students self-awareness, personal and professional resilience and professional identity as a nurse, deepening understanding of how health science, social and political knowledge, behaviour, vocabulary and skills form their nurse identity and enable them to problem solve within their field of nursing. Additionally the module will further develop communication skills including responding to constructive feedback to evaluate self and effect positive change.
    • Applying Understanding of Nursing Professionalism and Protection of the Public in Nursing (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR2068

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to build on and further develop adult, children and young people?s, learning disability and mental health student nurses theoretical knowledge, advancing their critical understanding and application of the generic and field specific scientific, legal and professional context of nursing, enabling them to initiate safe practice that is ethical and lawful across all fields of nursing and within a range of clinical practice settings.
    • Interpreting the Evidence Base Influencing Children and Young People's Nursing (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR2070

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to further develop Children and young people nursing students professional development, theoretical foundation, skills and evidenced based knowledge to initiate family centred decision making, influence positive lifestyle choices to improve health outcomes and understand the appropriateness and quality of care to effect service development.
    • Active Participation in Nursing Care (60 Credits)
      Module code: NPR2074P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide the essential clinical learning and simulation and practice experiences students require to achieve the set of NMC proficiencies enabling progression through to the 3rd part of the programme. Through the electronic portfolio (Pebblepad), signed by their practice supervisor and practice assessor, and moderated by the academic assessor, students will demonstrate achievement of the skills and professional behaviours, relevant to chosen field of nursing, identified at the second progression point by the Nursing and midwifery council. During clinical learning all students will be required to undertake clinical skills via a range of simulation techniques to meet the Achievement of Proficiency in the PAD. These will be signed off by the Module Team/Practice Assessor.
  • Stage 3
    • Developing My Nurse Identity Towards Becoming a Registrant (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR3035

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to further develop adult, children and young people?s, learning disability and mental health nursing students critical self awareness, personal and professional resilience and professional identity as a nurse, deepening understanding of how complex health science, social and political knowledge, behaviour, vocabulary and skills enable collaborative leadership and effect change management within their chosen field. Additionally the module will further develop advanced communication skills including delivering constructive feedback to effect positive change.
    • Becoming a Professional, Responsible, and Accountable Registered Nurse (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR3036

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to further develop the adult, children and young people's, learning disability and mental health student nurses wide ranging theoretical knowledge, enabling them to critically evaluate, lead, manage and reflect on the application of the scientific, legal and professional context of nursing in their chosen field, ensuring safe, ethical and lawful practice across all fields of nursing and in a range of clinical practice settings.
    • Demonstrating Competence and Confidence in Safe, Effective Administration and Optimization of Medicines and the Health Numeracy Assessment
      Module code: NPR3037

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to ensure adult, children and young people's, learning disability and mental health student nurses knowledge and understanding of pharmacology, the principles of safe effective administration and optimisation of medicines, their proficiency and accuracy when calculating dosages of prescribed medicines and their application of the health numeracy assessment, in the relevant clinical setting is complete, enabling student nurses to join the NMC nursing register in their chosen field, with the ability to progress to a prescribing qualification following registration.
    • Leading and Coordinating Children and Young People's Nursing Care (60 Credits)
      Module code: NPR3039P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide the essential clinical learning through simulation and practice experiences Children and young people?s nursing students require to achieve completion of the set of NMC proficiencies enabling registration. Through the electronic portfolio (Pebblepad), signed by their practice supervisor and practice assessor, and moderated by the academic assessor, Children and young people?s nursing students will demonstrate achievement of the skills and professional behaviours identified by the Nursing and midwifery council. During clinical learning all students will be required to undertake clinical skills via a range of simulation techniques to meet the Achievement of Proficiency in the PAD. These will be signed off by the Module Team/Practice Assessor.
    • Transforming and Innovating Children and Young Peoples Nursing (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR4006

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to continue the development of Children and young people?s nursing students professional development, theoretical evidenced based knowledge and skills to enable them to lead and manage family centred decision making, respectfully influencing positive lifestyle choices to improve health outcomes and exert influence on the appropriateness and quality of care and to effect service improvement

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• Placements

  You will be expected to study a minimum of 2,300 hours theory and 2,300 hours practice across the 3 years. The practical placements that you will take throughout this Children and Young People’s Nursing course will be in a variety of health, education and social care settings.

  The practical experiences in healthcare are gained within private, voluntary and independent sector areas including social care, community trusts and hospitals within Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas.

  This Children’s Nursing degree is compliant with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements.

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• Opportunities Abroad*

  The University of Northampton is one of only four universities in the country to belong to the European Nursing Module. This offers the possibility of a two week placement in one of around 24 different European countries.

  You can experience a different health system, culture and life experience and gain an insight into the issues that are faced in an overseas nursing environment. This opportunity is available at a specifically negotiated time during your paediatric nursing course, usually within the second or third stage of study.

  Please note that you will have to meet the entire costs of this module yourself including flights, accommodation, food and travel within these countries where possible costs are kept to a minimum and financial help is available. The cost of the placement is dependent on the country you choose, it can range from approximately £500-800.

  The two weeks spent overseas for this module count as placement hours as agreed with the NMC.

  The University of Northampton is one of only three universities that offer this module as well as the 11 week Erasmus placement.

  In addition to the European placements, we also provide the opportunity to experience nursing on an international platform. Please ask at an Open day for further information.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time Children and Young People’s Nursing degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your children’s nursing course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• FAQs

  How will I develop my skills in nursing labs?

  The nursing skills labs, based at our Waterside campus, are used throughout the studies to enhance learning in the clinical settings. The Nursing Skills labs have a purpose-built clinical ward where students can learn and develop their clinical skills through practice-based, hands-on education. You will practise scenarios from a real-life hospital ward in a realistic, yet safe clinical environment.

  The fully interactive VR (Virtual Reality) system and mannequins allow children’s nursing students to ‘treat’ people in a variety of nursing settings, giving them ‘as close to real-life as possible’ training. This includes actual conversations with the characters in the scenario and gives clinical feedback that is matched to the student’s learning objectives.

  What are some of the extra curricular events and activities I can get involved in?

  Some of the activities you may be involved in while studying for a children’s nursing course include:

  • Wellbeing Wednesday
  • British Sign Language
  • Community Project
  • Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training
  • Changemaker Silver and Gold Award.

  How will I be taught?

  Our children’s nurse degree is split equally between practical placements and taught sessions on campus. Each module has specific time dedicated to face-to-face teaching and self-directed study.

  There is approximately 90 hours of face-to-face teaching in the first year of the nursing children and young people course, this is reduced each year allowing you to become more confident in your knowledge and to hone your study techniques. You will be required to complete preliminary work for your sessions, much of this work will be facilitated through our virtual learning environment (NILE).

  From September 2019 we are offering an exciting new curriculum based on The Nursing and Midwifery standards for education 2018. The curriculum is innovative utilising an active blend learning approach and an extensive range of support is always available. The curriculum also offers placement learning opportunities throughout Northamptonshire and beyond.

  How will I be assessed?

  You will be continuously assessed throughout this children’s nurse course to test your knowledge. Placements will also be assessed to ensure that you can effectively apply theory into practice within a healthcare environment.

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