Children's Nursing

Children's nursing is the branch of nursing concerned with the care of children, young people, and their families from birth through to late adolescence. It is a profession that demands not only advanced clinical knowledge but the communication skills, emotional intelligence, and family-centred approach that paediatric care specifically requires. Children's nurses work in neonatal units, paediatric medical and surgical wards, community and outpatient settings, intensive care, and specialist services, caring for children with a vast range of conditions from minor acute illness to complex long-term disabilities and life-limiting conditions.

At Cumbria this three-year full-time degree strikes an equal balance between theory and practice, with half of your time spent in clinical placements and half in academic study on campus. This structure ensures that the theoretical knowledge you develop is continuously tested and applied in real clinical environments, building the competence and confidence that professional nursing practice requires. You will learn from an experienced academic team whose teaching is grounded in current evidence and research, informed by the narratives and perspectives of children and families.

Personal support from expert tutors is embedded throughout.

The degree leads to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a children's nurse, which is the requirement to practise in the UK.

Graduates work as registered children's nurses in NHS hospitals, community services, and specialist paediatric units, with career pathways leading to specialist roles in areas such as neonatal care, paediatric oncology, and community children's nursing. Advanced nurse practitioner, nurse consultant, and leadership roles are all accessible career destinations, and many nurses also pursue postgraduate study in specialist clinical areas or nursing education.