Nursing (Children's)

Keele University

Do you want to make a positive difference to the lives of children, young people and their families? Would you like a career in a worthwhile profession that provides varied opportunities? Start your journey to becoming a qualified children’s nurse. You’ll learn key nursing theory and get hands-on practical experience in our superb clinical facilities and placement opportunities so you can develop the skills and confidence to care for children and young people with different health challenges.

You will develop a diverse skill set enabling you to provide excellent nursing care and support to children, young people and their families. Their care needs change as they grow and develop and as a children's nurse you will play an important role in managing their specific care requirements until they transition to adult health care services.

Our children's nursing curriculum is carefully designed to provide you with the theoretical knowledge required to be able to practice and communicate confidently and competently, whilst also giving you the opportunity to develop and refine your clinical skills in a safe environment before going onto clinical placement. Fundamental to this programme is assisting you to nurture strong partnerships with a child or young person and their family which is driven by effective communication and respect. You will develop the skills to enable children and young people to be meaningful participants in managing their own care.

Placements

We have strong partnerships with placement providers including NHS trusts, and the private and voluntary sectors. An important part of becoming a nurse is gaining real experience in diverse environments. Field placements provide a range of experiences to expand your professional values and nursing skills linking the theory you have learnt in the lectures with practice. This enhances your employability, increases your confidence, and fully develops your nursing expertise. 50% of your time is spent on clinical practice in different health care settings.

Foundation Year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

Your future career

95% of Keele students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

Children's nurses are in demand and there is a high graduate employability rate. Enhancing your skills for the world of work including CV writing and interview techniques are embedded into the course.

The experience you gain in hospital and community placements will help you develop the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes you will need for a career in children’s nursing.