Children and Young People's Nursing
Children and young people's nursing is a profession built on a commitment to the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable members of society, from newborns and infants through to young adults. It requires a distinctive blend of clinical knowledge, technical skill, emotional intelligence and the ability to communicate effectively with children at different developmental stages and with their families. The discipline draws on paediatric medicine, developmental psychology, safeguarding principles and family-centred care, and it demands practitioners who can adapt quickly to rapidly changing clinical situations.
At the University of Northampton, this three-year full-time programme is registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and leads to qualification as a registered nurse in the children and young people's field. You will study anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, child development and nursing assessment alongside the legal, ethical and safeguarding frameworks that govern practice with children. Clinical placements form a substantial part of the programme, giving you experience across a range of settings including hospital wards, community services and specialist paediatric units.
You will develop your clinical skills progressively, supported by academic study that deepens your understanding of the evidence base underpinning nursing practice.
On qualifying, graduates are eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and enter practice as registered children's nurses. Employment opportunities exist across the NHS in children's wards, neonatal units, paediatric intensive care, community nursing, school nursing and specialist nursing roles. Many nurses progress into senior clinical roles, specialist nursing practice, nursing education or advanced clinical practice over the course of their careers.
Postgraduate study leading to advanced nurse practitioner status or entry into research is also a pathway for those who wish to develop their practice or academic knowledge further.