Nursing (Children's) - BSc(Hons)

The course places a strong emphasis on the development of your professional values, behaviours and the interpersonal skills required to work effectively with other professionals in health, social care and education. Children's Nursing students need to develop knowledge and expertise across a range of topics relating to children and young people's health and welfare, including biological, sociological and psychological sciences, policy, research, law and ethics. These topics are fully integrated within the modules studied.

Year one

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Communication in a Diverse World
• Appreciating Evidence for Practice
• Physiology and Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
• Understanding Children's Lives
• Participation in the Practice of Children's Nursing

Year two

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Delivering Safe and Compassionate Care
• Service Improvement - a Collaborative Approach
• Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing and Midwifery
• Implementing Children's Nursing Practice

Final Year

You will study the following compulsory modules:

• Leadership in Children's Nursing
• Managing Children's Nursing Practice
• Nursing and Midwifery Dissertation

Plus one of the following optional modules:

• End of Life Care
• Public Health and Health Promotion for Professional Practice
• Nursing in a Diverse World
• Evidencing in Work-Based Learning
• Family and Carer Work for Serious Mental Illness
• Motivational Interviewing
• Principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Mental Health and Well-being of Children and Young People
• Person-Centred Care with People with Dementia

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

The theoretical component of the course is run on a modular basis and delivered full-time between the hours of 09:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday except bank holidays. The practical component of the course equates to 37.5 hours a week and is based on shift work, including nights and weekends from the outset. Term-times are longer than other UWE Bristol courses and you will undertake 40 weeks of study during each academic year.

The following key principles underpin the practice facing philosophy of the children's nursing programme.

• Case and enquiry based learning.
• Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL), simulation and clinical skills.
• An integrated approach to theory and practice.

We will expect you to take a great deal of the responsibility for your own learning, and some of the modules may be partly taught using distance learning and self directed materials. You will acquire skills in self-directed and independent study, research and the key skills required for any workplace activity. The course will provide an excellent preparation for future professional development, enabling you to transfer skills across a range of professional entities.

Teaching and learning methods range from lectures, seminars and student-led presentations, to child and family-centred case studies. Support for studying will be provided by academic staff and during practice placements by qualified nursing staff.

For more details, see our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Study themes running through the course include:

• Children's Nursing theory and practice.
• Nursing management and leadership.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Development of professional practice.
• Bio-psychosocial development of the individual across the lifespan.
• Sociology of health, wellness and illness.
• Health care systems.
• Interprofessional working.

A number of these themes will be developed and taught alongside other health and social care student groups.

Computer skills are vital for your academic studies and future employment. At UWE Bristol, computing will be an integral part of your course. Many lecturers make lecture notes and materials available online and some modules will require you to use information technology (IT) to help you undertake and present your work. IT facilities will be available to you on all campuses. At the main Frenchay Campus, there is a 24 hour access to computing facilities, and the Department will offer help and support throughout your course.

Before starting the course you may find it helpful to familiarise yourself with some core IT skills:

• Basic word processing.
• Storing and retrieving files.
• Communicating via email.
• Searching the web for information, such as online shopping, booking a holiday and homework.

There is also a range of information and resources including interactive exercises to support study skills on the Department of Nursing and Midwifery website.

A variety of methods will be used to assess your academic learning throughout the course. These will include essays, case studies and project/portfolio work, as well as timed, known topic examinations and continuous assessment of clinical practice. At the end of year three, you will receive a grade for your clinical practice, which will contribute to your overall degree classification.

For more details, see our full glossary of assessment terms.