Nursing - Children and Young People

Children and young people's nursing is a specialist branch of the nursing profession focused on the health and wellbeing of individuals from birth through to the age of sixteen, working in partnership with young people and their families across a wide range of healthcare and social settings. The role requires both the clinical skills of nursing and the specific knowledge and approach needed to care for younger patients, including an understanding of child development, family-centred care and the particular ethical and communication challenges of working with children who cannot always speak for themselves.

At Robert Gordon University, this three-year full-time programme prepares you to provide holistic care for children and young people across a variety of healthcare and social settings. You will develop the clinical knowledge and practical skills needed to work safely and effectively as a qualified nurse with children, young people and their families, building your practice through a combination of academic study and substantial clinical placement experience. The programme develops your ability to support health and wellbeing across the full developmental range, from neonates to adolescents, and prepares you for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Graduates from children and young people's nursing programmes are eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and can pursue careers in children's hospitals, paediatric wards, neonatal units, community children's nursing services, child and adolescent mental health services, school nursing and health visiting. Scotland's NHS boards provide a range of employment settings across urban and rural contexts. Career development can lead to specialist nursing roles, advanced clinical practice, management or education.

Postgraduate study in child health, specialist clinical practice or nursing education is well supported for those who want to develop their expertise further.