Nursing (Child)

A Brighton Children's Nursing degree prepares you for a rewarding career where you’ll deliver skilled, evidence-based care to children and young people, working in partnership with their parents, carers and families as part of a team of health and social care professionals.

The course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), ensuring your qualification meets national standards. Successful completion of our Nursing (Child) BSc(Hons) degree means you will be eligible to apply for registration with the NMC and practice as a nurse in the UK.

At Brighton, you’ll be part of a community that helps you grow, no matter what your background. The course is packed with opportunities to develop your children’s nursing skills and experience. You’ll spend 50% of your course in practice learning – on placement in healthcare and community settings, as well as our specialist nursing facilities. Our inclusive approach to learning will help you go further; we’ll make sure you play to your strengths and learn in ways that suit you best.

Brighton children's nursing graduates have built successful careers in hospitals and fields such as community children’s nursing, health visiting, school nursing and as nurse practitioners. 100% of graduates were in work or further study and 100% of working graduates were in highly skilled work as nursing professionals 15 months after their degree according to the Graduate Outcomes Survey.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

• Placements with NHS and non-NHS healthcare providers in both acute and community settings.

• Learn in our clinical skills and simulation suites, and practice independently in our nursing skills zone.

• You’ll share some modules with students on our adult and mental health nursing degrees, allowing you to benefit from interprofessional collaboration.

• Support throughout your degree from our student-run Nursing Society.

• 100% of our graduates are in work or further study 15 months after their degree and 100% of working graduates are in highly skilled work as nursing professionals – Graduate Outcomes Survey.

• Non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each academic year.

Brighton is less than an hour from central London and has been named one of the best cities on the planet and the third best city in the UK by Time Out.

Year 1
In the first year, you will begin to develop the essential skills to assess and plan care for children and young people, considering their physical, emotional, social and developmental needs. You’ll explore how human biology and child development relate to health and illness across the early years and adolescence, laying the scientific foundation for your nursing practice. Through clinical placements and university-based learning, you’ll start applying your knowledge in real healthcare settings, gaining the confidence and compassion needed to support children and their families from the very start of your nursing journey.

Core modules
Nursing Assessment in Partnership with People
Planning Nursing Care in Partnership with People
Human Biology for Nursing
Practice Learning for Nursing Year 1

Year 2
In the second year, you’ll deepen your understanding of child development and the transitions children and young people experience, both physically and emotionally. You will learn how to assess and plan complex care, promote health and prevent illness, and use evidence to improve the quality and safety of nursing practice. Through clinical placements you will continue to build your skills and confidence by working alongside multi-professional teams.

Core modules
Quality Improvement Using Evidence-based Nursing Practice
Nursing to Promote Health and Prevent Illness
Child Development and Transitions
Assessing and Planning Complex Care in Children's Nursing
Practice Learning for Children’s Nursing Year 2

Final year
In your final year, you’ll refine your clinical expertise and leadership skills so you’re ready to take on the responsibilities of a qualified children’s nurse. You’ll learn to carry out advanced assessments, lead effective teams and deliver compassionate care across a range of settings – including in complex and emotionally sensitive situations. With a focus on contemporary healthcare challenges, interprofessional collaboration and shaping the future of nursing, this year empowers you to graduate as a confident, reflective practitioner ready to make a lasting impact on the lives of children, young people and their families.

Core modules
Contemporary and Future Nursing Practice
Enhanced Physical Assessment of the Child and Young Person
Leading and Managing Nursing Care and Effective Teams
Children's Nursing in Context
Practice Learning for Children’s Nursing Year 3