BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children's) with NMC Registration

Why study this subject?

Caring for one of the most important people in someone's life, their child, is a big responsibility, yet very fulfilling job. Children and young people need nurses who understand their particular needs and can work in partnership with them and their families.

No two days within this job are the same – paediatric nursing can take you from the intensive care of a new-born baby with breathing problems, to looking after a six-foot tall adolescent whose leg has been broken. It can also cover a range of settings, from the hospital to the child's own home.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

At Buckinghamshire New University, from your very first welcome, you’ll find yourself surrounded by friendly, like-minded students and staff – all passionate about nursing and healthcare.

We've been running nursing programmes for many years and students benefit from an excellent standard of teaching provided by staff from the University. Our lecturers maintain close links with practice, ensuring that the programme is always kept up to date.

You will receive personal tutoring and also be able to take part in our annual one-day inter-professional conference, focused on safeguarding. In addition, guest speakers regularly deliver sessions for students within the University to ensure we give a diverse range of views and experiences to our students.

At BNU, we recognise roles in this field are hands-on – that’s why you’ll take part in simulated learning experiences throughout the course using our specialised facilities available within our two campuses dedicated to nursing (Uxbridge and Aylesbury). This will enable you to recreate authentic scenarios and practise your skills in a safe environment.

Alongside your studies, you will take part in a range of clinical placements with our NHS partner hospitals and homes. We work with a range of partners across the region and our students are highly respected whilst out in practice. We consistently see a high rate of employability after completing the course, with 98% of our students either in employment or further study six months after graduating (HESA 2020). Many of our students are employed by the Trust that they worked with during their time at the University.

As a BNU student, you will automatically become a member of Bucks Students’ Union giving you access to a wide range of services that we offer for free as part of our exclusive Big Deal package – including joining the Nursing Society. We are the only university in the UK to offer our members free access to such a diverse and exciting range of activities, allowing them to experience new things, socialise with broader groups of people and boost their employability – all to enrich your university experience.

What facilities can I use?

We utilise state-of-the-art simulation facilities for learning, development and practicing of skills – our purpose-built wards include real equipment, just like you’d find in hospital.

Simulation is an important aspect of our nursing and healthcare programmes. You will regularly spend time in the simulation labs, taking part in realistic scenarios to practise a broad spectrum of technical skills in a safe and supportive environment. 

Both our Uxbridge and Aylesbury campuses offer these facilities to students. Between our Uxbridge and High Wycombe campuses we provide a free campus-link bus service, allowing you to be able to use everything our High Wycombe Campus has to offer too.

What will I study?

We believe in giving you the best chance for employment when you graduate, so our courses are carefully designed to ensure that you’re equipped with everything you need to start your career.

During your time on the programme, you will understand the theory behind diagnosis that can help you to make crucial decisions when looking after a patient. You will be able to lead changes in practice, improving the quality of delivery of care.

On placement, you’ll be able to put your theory into practice where you’ll be mentored in the art of patient care.

How will I be taught and assessed?

This programme integrates academic and practice learning underpinned by collaboration between practice partners and the University. It adopts a student-centred approach, enabling the development of the required knowledge, skills and professional values required to deliver compassionate, safe and effective nursing care.

Students spend approximately half of their programme learning in clinical practice and the other half with the University. We work closely with a number of NHS Trusts and independent care partners in the region to provide students with clinical placements – view the full list of partners we work with.

When you’re on campus, your academic study will be undertaken through varying modalities including seminars, lectures, simulation and virtual learning. Our team of experienced and dedicated lecturers have a collective wealth of knowledge from working in a number of areas, including:

• children's accident and emergency (including resuscitation and trauma)
• community nursing
• general paediatrics
• learning disabilities
• neonatal and paediatric intensive care
• operating theatres
• outpatients
• paediatric oncology
• safeguarding
• school nursing.

Across the three years, you will be assessed through a number of means:

• Year 1: Reflective assignment, presentation and exams.
• Year 2: Academic poster presentation, assignment and exams.
• Year 3: Literature review/work-based learning project, reflective assignment, OSCE and exams.

You are also required to complete the knowledge skills and behaviours included in the Practice Assessment Document in each year of practice.