Nursing

Children's nursing is one of the most distinctive and rewarding branches of the nursing profession, focused on the care of children and young people from birth through adolescence. Children are not small adults; they have their own physiological and developmental characteristics, their own patterns of illness and recovery, and they need care that is adapted to their stage of development, their family context, and their growing ability to participate in decisions about their own health. Effective children's nursing also involves close partnership with parents and carers, who are central to the wellbeing of child patients and who need support, information, and reassurance in their own right.

At the University of Bradford, this three-year, full-time degree leads to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the children's field of nursing. You will develop knowledge of child development, paediatric physiology and pharmacology, family-centred care, safeguarding, and the range of conditions that children's nurses encounter across different settings. Clinical placements are central to the programme, giving you supervised experience in neonatal units, health visiting, school nursing, surgical and medical wards, and specialist paediatric services.

Former students have noted the quality and variety of placements and the strength of the support provided throughout clinical experience. A typical entry tariff of 136 points reflects the academic and professional standards expected of students entering this regulated programme.

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