BSc (Hons) Children's Nursing

Aim of the Module This module builds on first-year learning to develop clinical skills and decision-making through simulation-based practice. Using realistic scenarios, you will strengthen your ability to apply theory to practice, deliver safe and compassionate care, and work effectively within teams. Structured feedback and reflection support critical thinking, professional behaviours, and confidence. What Will I Cover in This Module? Recognition and Response to Change Identification of physical, emotional, and cognitive deterioration in children and young people, including pain, anxiety, and behavioural change. Use of structured tools such as paediatric early warning scores and SBARD, while maintaining safety, dignity, and therapeutic engagement with children and families. Clinical Reasoning and Decision-Making Paediatric assessment and prioritisation frameworks, care planning for acute and long-term conditions, and evaluation of care using family-centred and developmentally appropriate approaches. Digital documentation, decision-support systems, reflective practice, and safeguarding awareness support clinical judgement. Professional Accountability and Ethical Practice Professional boundaries, consent and assent, safeguarding and child protection, parental responsibility, and best-interest decision-making. Emphasis on therapeutic relationships, interprofessional collaboration, advocacy, and rights-based child healthcare. Child Health Policy, Law, and Standards Key legislation including the Children Act (1989, 2004), Mental Capacity Act (2005) for 16–17-year-olds, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, alongside legal responsibilities and safeguarding governance. Simulation-Based Learning and Reflective Practice Simulation scenarios addressing deterioration, safeguarding dilemmas, developmental delay, and communication challenges, supported by debriefing, peer feedback, and self-assessment.

Aim of the module   In this module, you will explore the legal, ethical, and professional standards that guide nursing care for children and young people. You will learn how these principles shape decisions about consent, capacity, and safeguarding, and reflect on your own values and accountability. The module also highlights ethical challenges in paediatric care and the importance of child- and family-centred approaches, while supporting you to develop advocacy and digital skills for safe care that promotes dignity. What will I cover in this module?  Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: You will cover the following topic areas: Children’s Act, parental responsibility, Gillick competence/Fraser Guidelines consent and capacity in children and young people Ethical Principles: You will cover the following topic areas: Best interests, autonomy, justice, ethical dilemmas in paediatric care (i.e. Sexual health) Professional Identity: You will cover the following topic areas: Therapeutic relationships with children and families reflective practice, boundaries Safeguarding and Advocacy: You will cover the following topic areas: Child protection procedures, multi-agency working, voice of the child Clinical decision making in partnership with others Working with individuals, families and communities to reduce health inequalities Digital Literacy: You will cover the following topic areas: Secure documentation, digital consent tools, safeguarding alerts, telehealth in paediatrics

Aim of the module  This optional module will give you the opportunity to explore the complexities of long-term conditions and develop the knowledge, critical thinking, and professional values that underpin holistic, person-centred nursing care. You’ll engage with real-world challenges such as co-morbidities, diagnostic overshadowing, and health inequalities, while discovering how evidence-based strategies and innovative approaches are driving improvement in care delivery for long term conditions. Through a focus on collaboration and inclusivity, you’ll learn how to support individuals, families, and communities to live well and maintain quality of life when facing long-term health challenges. What will I cover in this module?  Understanding Long-Term Conditions Definitions, prevalence, and impact on individuals, families, and communities Diagnostic overshadowing and co-morbidities Holistic Care Approaches Physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs Health promotion and self-management strategies Evidence-Based Practice Current guidelines and best practice frameworks Integration of research into care planning Adopting innovations in care delivery across different settings (i.e. tele-health; virtual wards) Person-Centred Care Empowerment, shared decision-making, and advocacy Cultural competence and inclusivity Collaborative Working Role of multidisciplinary teams Communication strategies and partnership working Ethical and Professional Considerations Autonomy, dignity, and safeguarding Professional accountability and NMC standards

Aim of the module  This optional module supports you in developing a thoughtful and critical understanding of the principles and frameworks that guide palliative and end-of-life care. You will examine key theories and evidence-based approaches to symptom management, communication, and collaborative working across care settings. The module encourages you to consider cultural sensitivities and diverse perspectives to ensure care that is compassionate, inclusive, and ethically grounded for individuals and families during life-limiting illness. You will also explore how innovation and continuous improvement can enhance practice and contribute to the delivery of high-quality palliative and end-of-life care. What will I cover in this module?  Theoretical Foundations: Palliative care principles, holistic care models, ethical frameworks. Evidence-Based Practice: NICE guidelines, symptom control, psychosocial and spiritual support. Cultural and Diversity Considerations Cultural competence in palliative care Addressing health inequalities and barriers to access Supporting diverse spiritual and religious needs Professional, Legal, and Policy Frameworks NMC Code, consent, advanced care planning, DNACPR decisions Mental Capacity Act, advance directives, legal documentation National and local policy frameworks for end-of-life care Communication: Breaking bad news, shared decision-making, cultural sensitivity. Collaboration: MDT roles, interprofessional working, coordination of services. Reflection & Resilience: Compassion fatigue, self-care, professional accountability.

Aim of the module  In this optional module, you will develop your understanding of vulnerability and safeguarding and learn how to apply evidence-based approaches to protect vulnerable people in complex safeguarding situations. You will explore risk assessment principles, legal and professional responsibilities, and strategies for delivering safe, person and family centred care. The module will also introduce innovative and improvement-focused approaches to safeguarding, helping you to gain confidence and think creatively about solutions to enhance safe and effective nursing care in different health and social care settings. What will I cover in this module?  Foundations of Safeguarding Definitions and principles of safeguarding Understanding vulnerability: factors that increase risk (age, disability, mental health, social determinants). Historical context and lessons learned from previous safeguarding failures Legal and Professional Frameworks Key UK legislation Professional codes of conduct and accountability (NMC Code). Confidentiality, consent, and lawful information-sharing protocols. Risk Assessment and Management Principles of risk assessment: identifying and mitigating risks. Balancing autonomy and protection: ethical dilemmas in safeguarding decisions. Evidence-Based Approaches Guidelines and research to inform safeguarding practice. Critical appraisal of safeguarding interventions. Person-Centred and Inclusive Care Strategies for ensuring dignity, respect, and cultural sensitivity. Advocacy: empowering individuals and supporting voice and choice. Multidisciplinary Collaboration Communication and escalation pathways Innovation and Improvement in Safeguarding Digital tools and technology for safeguarding (alerts, data analytics). Creative problem-solving for complex safeguarding challenges.

Aim of the module  This optional module aims to inspire you to think critically and creatively about how healthcare innovation and improvement can transform out-of-hospital emergency care. You will explore contemporary approaches, frameworks, and technologies that shape safe, person-centred practice, while developing the confidence to apply evidence-based strategies and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams. The module encourages you to challenge assumptions, embrace change, and build resilience as you prepare to deliver compassionate, inclusive care in dynamic and unpredictable environments. What will I cover in this module?  Foundations of Out-of-Hospital Emergency Care Scope and principles of emergency care outside hospital settings Legal, ethical, and professional frameworks (NMC standards, consent, safeguarding) Assessment and Decision-Making Rapid assessment and triage in community and pre-hospital environments Risk management and prioritisation Evidence-Based Interventions Stabilization techniques and immediate care strategies Managing acute episodes in chronic conditions Communication and Collaboration Working with multidisciplinary teams Effective handover and documentation Person-Centred and Holistic Care Supporting children, adults, families, and communities during emergencies Cultural competence and inclusivity in crisis situations Professional Values and Resilience Ethical dilemmas in emergency contexts Maintaining professionalism under pressure Safety in lone working Technology and Innovation Monitoring in emergency care Use of emergency equipment and digital tools

Aim of the module   This optional module helps you develop an understanding of clinical supervision and coaching as essential tools for your professional development and for delivering safe, high-quality care. You will explore how clinical supervision supports accountability, learning, and resilience in practice, and how coaching techniques can empower you to improve patient outcomes. The module introduces theoretical frameworks, evidence-based approaches, and ethical considerations to ensure your supervision and coaching strategies foster innovation and continuous improvement for quality and excellence in nursing care. What will I cover in this module?  Theoretical Foundations: Models of clinical supervision (e.g., Proctor’s Model) and coaching frameworks relevant to nursing and MDT practice. Impact on Patient Care: How clinical supervision and coaching improve safety, quality, and person-centred outcomes. Evidence-Based Practice: Research supporting clinical supervision and coaching for team effectiveness and patient experience. Ethical and Professional Considerations: Confidentiality, boundaries, and accountability in supervisory relationships Communication Skills: Giving and receiving feedback, reflective dialogue, and supporting learning across MDTs. Collaborative Practice: Engaging MDT members in supervision and coaching to enhance integrated care. Resilience and Wellbeing: Using clinical supervision to manage stress, moral distress, and promote self-care. Link to Quality Improvement: How clinical supervision supports clinical governance and continuous improvement in patient care.

Aim of the module : This optional module enables you to critically understand the complexities of addiction, covering substance-related addictions (such as alcohol, drugs, and medication); and behavioural addictions (such as gambling, gaming, hoarding and digital dependency), and their impact on children, adults, families, and communities. You will explore theoretical frameworks, evidence-based interventions, and ethical considerations to deliver person and family centred care aligned with NMC standards, while fostering innovation and improvement in nursing practice. What will I cover in this module?  Types of Addiction: Substance-related: alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, prescription medication misuse. Behavioural addictions: gambling, gaming, internet use, shopping, hoarding. Theoretical Models: Biopsychosocial model, disease model, harm reduction approach, recovery-oriented practice. Impact of Addiction: Physical health consequences, mental health comorbidities, social and economic effects on families and communities. Perinatal effects of addiction, including foetal and infant development. Evidence-Based Interventions: Motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioural strategies, relapse prevention, harm reduction techniques. Core Nursing Interventions and Professional Practice: Screening and assessment. Health education and promoting self-management. Supporting detoxification and medication-assisted treatment. Advocacy and reducing stigma in care delivery. Coordinating care and referrals to specialist services. Managing personal biases, emotional resilience, and professional boundaries. Ethical and Legal Considerations: Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, consent, confidentiality. Communication Skills: Building trust, managing disclosure, supporting families. MDT Collaboration: Working with mental health teams, social services, voluntary sector, and addition specialists.

Aim of the module   This optional module aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the health concerns that shape care on a global scale. It will enable you to examine major public health challenges and their impact on individuals, families, and communities, including health inequalities, social determinants, and the global burden of disease. Ethical decision-making will underpin the module, preparing you to deliver compassionate, inclusive, and accountable care in diverse global contexts. What will I cover in this module?  Global Health Frameworks and Policy: WHO strategies, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Universal Health Coverage and relevance to nursing practice. Determinants of Health: Social, economic, environmental, and political factors influencing health outcomes globally. Global Burden of Disease: Communicable diseases (HIV, TB, malaria), Non-communicable diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease), Emerging health threats (pandemics, antimicrobial resistance). Health Inequalities and Equity: Impact on individuals, families, and communities; strategies to reduce disparities in access and outcomes. Nurse’s Role in Global Health: Delivering culturally competent, person-centred care in diverse settings. Health education and promotion for disease prevention and lifestyle change. Vaccination programs and outbreak response. Advocating for vulnerable populations and addressing health literacy. Evidence-Based Interventions: Screening, Early detection, Community-based care models. Ethical and Legal Considerations: Human rights, consent, and safeguarding in global health contexts. Communication and Collaboration: Working across cultures and languages; Understanding personal biases, Cultural humility, Professional accountability in global health nursing. MDT and interagency partnerships in global health initiatives.

Aim of the module  In this optional module, you will explore innovative and evidence-based approaches to improving care for individuals experiencing traumatic loss and bereavement. You will critically engage with models of grief and bereavement, examine the psychological impact of trauma and consider how these insights can drive improvements in practice. You will learn to navigate complex contexts such as sudden death, suicide, perinatal loss, and disaster-related bereavement, while developing cultural competence to support diverse mourning practices. Through this, you will discover how innovation can enhance person-centred care and ethical decision-making. What will I cover in this module?  Theoretical Foundations Models of grief and bereavement Psychological Impact: Trauma responses, PTSD, complicated grief, and mental health implications. Traumatic Loss Contexts: Sudden death, suicide, homicide, perinatal loss, young sibling or parental loss; disaster-related bereavement. Cultural and Spiritual Dimensions: Diverse mourning practices, cultural competence in bereavement care. Evidence-Based Interventions: Crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, referral pathways for specialist support. Communication Skills: Breaking bad news, supporting families, managing emotional distress. MDT Collaboration: MDT roles in bereavement care and referral pathways Reflective Practice (self-care): Managing emotional impact, and self-care, resilience strategies, supervision for staff wellbeing.

Aim of the module: This module enables final‑year student nurses to consolidate and refine clinical skills through simulation and skills bootcamps in preparation for professional practice. You will engage in realistic scenarios of increasing complexity reflecting the responsibilities and expectations of nursing care across settings. Simulation and bootcamps offer a safe environment to practise assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care. The module strengthens clinical judgement, communication, advocacy, and leadership, building confidence, autonomy, and readiness for independent decision‑making and transition to NMC‑registered practice. What will I cover in this module? Advanced Paediatric Assessment and Pathophysiology Interpretation of complex presentations in infants, children, and young people; application of advanced knowledge of respiratory, neurological, congenital, acute, and long‑term conditions; recognition of deterioration, trauma, and mental health vulnerability; use of PEWS, SBAR, and developmentally appropriate assessment tools. Clinical Reasoning and Family‑Centred Care Prioritisation and planning in acute, emergency, community, and long‑term paediatric care; evaluation using family‑centred and evidence‑based approaches; use of digital documentation and child‑specific decision‑support tools; reflective practice to support safeguarding and ethical decision‑making. Leadership, Professional Identity, and Advocacy Leading care within multidisciplinary paediatric teams; delegation, prioritisation, and communication in planned and emergency care; coordinating care with families and allied professionals; providing feedback and appropriate challenge; managing ethical dilemmas (e.g. consent, safeguarding, parental conflict); reflection on resilience and readiness for registration; upholding professional boundaries; promoting inclusive, equitable care and addressing health inequalities using lived experience in simulated case studies.

Aim of the module This module develops the knowledge, skills and professional values needed to lead with integrity in children’s nursing. You will explore leadership theories, health policy and evidence‑based practice, alongside ethical decision‑making and strategies to influence positive change. Emphasis is placed on integrity, accountability and person‑centred leadership to support safe, effective care and improve quality and patient safety within interprofessional teams. What will I cover in this module? Leadership Theory and Strategy in Children’s Nursing You will examine classical and contemporary leadership models, including transformational, authentic and systems leadership, applied to child health settings. The module explores strategic thinking, influence across acute, community and school‑based services, and the distinction between leadership and management roles in children’s nursing. Ethical Leadership in Children’s Nursing Content focuses on values‑based leadership, moral courage and ethical decision‑making in child and family‑centred care. You will develop reflective practice and emotional intelligence, and explore ethical challenges related to consent, best interests and advocacy for children and young people. Policy, Power and Influence in Children’s Health Services You will explore child health policy within the NHS, public health and safeguarding frameworks, organisational culture and systems thinking. The module also addresses finance, resource allocation, safe staffing, and leading for equity, inclusion and children’s rights in healthcare. Collaboration, Communication, Change and Innovation You will develop skills in interprofessional leadership, team dynamics, conflict resolution and developmentally appropriate communication. The module includes quality improvement, service transformation, digital innovation and building resilience in emotionally demanding children’s health environments.

Aim of the module This module prepares you for autonomous professional practice as a Registered Children’s nurse. It focuses on leadership, complex decision-making, facilitating learning of others and advancing clinical skills. You will demonstrate proficiency in coordinating care, managing risk, and leading quality improvement initiatives, ensuring readiness for registration and transition to practice. What will I cover in the module? This is a practice module comprising placement learning. Your practice will be continuously assessed using the Practice Assessment Document (EPAD), through which you will demonstrate consistent achievement of NMC‑defined proficiencies, effective communication, professional judgement, responsibility and autonomy appropriate to entry to the profession. Successful reflection, feedback, and assessment processes will support your progression through Part Three, culminating in readiness for professional practice and entry to the register.