Nursing - Child

Children's nursing is a specialist branch of professional nursing concerned with the care of infants, children, and young people up to early adulthood. It recognises that children have distinct physiological and developmental characteristics and require care that is sensitive to their developmental stage, their family context, and their growing capacity to participate in decisions about their own health. Effective children's nursing involves close partnership with parents and carers, who are essential to the wellbeing of child patients, and it demands both technical clinical skill and the communication abilities to work compassionately with children and families who may be frightened or distressed.

At Birmingham City University, this three-year, full-time degree with a January intake leads to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the children's nursing field. The programme is designed to support you in gaining the knowledge and skills to deliver professional and compassionate family-centred care. You will develop your understanding of child development, paediatric physiology and pharmacology, safeguarding, clinical assessment, and the range of conditions encountered in children's nursing, and you will build clinical competence through supervised placements across hospital and community paediatric settings.

A typical entry tariff of 152 points reflects the strong academic and professional standards expected of students entering this regulated programme.

Qualifying as a children's nurse opens a career in a valued and in-demand branch of healthcare. Graduates work in NHS children's wards, neonatal units, paediatric intensive care, community children's nursing, school nursing, and specialist paediatric services. Many pursue postgraduate study or professional development to move into advanced practice, specialist clinical roles, or leadership positions in children's health.