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BSc (Hons)
Nursing
(Children's)
- Duration:
- Full-time - three years
- Start Dates:
- September and February
- Venue:
- Uxbridge Campus
- Cost:
- None
Overview
The BSc (Hons) Nursing course aims to produce competent and dynamic graduate Adult, Mental Health or Child nurses who are capable of undertaking nursing practice in a variety of clinical settings. The graduate will be able to design strategies for the collection and analysis of scholarly material relating to nursing care, and be able to identify nursing issues from a wide perspective which require changes in practice, and will ultimately lead this process.
Upon successful completion of the course, students are awarded the degree and are eligible to register as an Adult, Child or Mental Health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Nursing can lead to a range of challenging opportunities, whether this is within the NHS, private sector, armed forces or undertaking a research role. Nursing is about lifelong learning, and students will continue their education as they progress in their career, whether it’s continuing to postgraduate study or taking short clinical courses in specialist areas.
Structure
The course is run over three years and will consist of a mix of generic and field content in all years of study. This ensures that you interact with students from other fields right from the start of the course, to aid inter-professional learning. Each year will also include a combination of theory and self-directed study totalling 37.5 hours per week (including assessments/examinations) and 37.5 hours per week practice placements. Although the organisation of our clinical placements and academic study is split into distinct half year blocks, the time spent in practice will increases over the three years. Please note that during practice placement you should have the ability to follow a shift pattern covering 24 hours a day and seven days a week, this will include early shifts, 12 hour days, late shifts and nights. You will also need to ensure that you can meet necessary travel requirements.
Holidays
The duration of the course is 45 weeks allowing for a Christmas, Summer and Easter holiday.
Content
Nursing children can take you from the intensive care of a new-born baby with breathing problems to looking after a six foot tall adolescent whose leg has been broken in a football match and will cover a range of areas from hospital to the child’s own home. The reason you’re there as a child nurse is because children are not just mini adults; their bodies (and minds) work in different ways. The onset of symptoms can be sudden and extreme. Because children are still growing, the impact of the illness or injury on their development has to be taken into account and because they are young, they may be more scared or confused by what is happening to them. You will need to develop a good level of knowledge in child development and communication skills. Children and young people need nurses who understand their particular needs and can work in partnership with them and their families.
Modules available
Half the modules studied take place in the university. These cover subjects such as nursing, biological sciences, ethical issues, management, psychosocial factors and influencing care delivery in diverse settings. There will be a focus on acquiring clinical skills in a safe simulated skills laboratory, prior to practice in the clinical environment. In year three, a dissertation will be completed.
The rest of the modules take place in the practical areas and assist application of theory to practice and attainment of clinical competencies. Modules are normally awarded 30 academic credits.
Clinical practice
Teaching and learning
Throughout the course, a variety of teaching and learning methods are utilised. These include lectures, seminars, enquiry-based learning and small group work. Simulated practice teaching takes place in the fully equipped nursing skills laboratories at the Uxbridge Campus. Students are required to undertake self-directed learning. Each student is allocated an personal tutor who supports and advises the student throughout the course.
In the clinical areas, students each have a mentor/assessor who is a member of the clinical staff, and who will supervise and support them. Faculty staff act as link lecturers and provide additional support in the practice areas.
Assessment
This is a modular based course that has a mix of semester and year long modules. Throughout the course a variety of assessment methods are utilised including essays, final year extended project, observed structural clinical examinations (OSCE’s), personal portfolio, seminar presentations, unseen/seen examinations. In addition students are assessed in each area of clinical practice undertaken.
Entry requirements
Entry criteria
UCAS Tariff score between 200 – 240. This score can be achieved from passes in two 6 unit GCE A-Levels/AVCEs or from a pass in a 12-unit AVCE. Although not a requirement, preferred A-Level subjects are Health and Social Care, Biology, Psychology, Sociology, Chemistry, Physics and Physical Education.
All students require GCSE English and Maths at Grade C or above (or equivalent). Alternatively appropriate functional skills at level 2 (Maths, English, ICT) will be required. GCSE Science at Grade C or above is also desirable.
An IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent for non native English speaking applicants is normally required.
Mature students without formal qualifications are welcome to apply. We advise you to contact us to discuss your application.
All applicants should be able to demonstrate evidence of study within the last five years
AND
meet residency criteria, which can be found here: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students.aspx
Do I need nursing experience?
Prior experience in health care is not essential but can be advantageous. Applicants will be encourages to gain experience in a care setting prior to undertaking the programme.
Preparatory courses
If you find, after reading the booklet and checking the course entry requirements, that you do not possess the academic qualifications required, then you may consider undertaking an Access to Higher Education course in either Health and Social Care or Nursing, or an NVQ in Health and Social Care. We can advise you as to which Further Education Colleges in your area provide these courses. They are normally one year full-time or two years part-time, and give you excellent preparation for Higher Education at Bucks New University.
Criminal Conviction Declarations
As part of your application you will be required to declare any criminal convictions that are not regarded as spent under the Rehabilitation of the Offenders Act (1974). However as this course leads to a professional nursing registration you must also declare spent convictions.
Offers are conditional upon satisfactory health and fitness to practice screening, references, and a successful Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance
How to make an application
Applications should be made through UCAS (University and College Admissions Service), this is the central organisation in the UK through which applications are processed for entry to higher education.
For more information about UCAS and making an online application, you can visit their website at ucas.com or alternatively phone them on 0870 112 2211.
Institution code: B94
Nursing (Children’s) UCAS code: B731
Buckinghamshire New University has a unique institute and course number which you will need to quote on your application form in order that your application is sent to us.
When you have decided that you meet the eligibility requirements for the course to which you are applying and you have sent back your completed application form, UCAS will forward it to us. We will then consider whether we wish to invite you for interview.
Students funded by the NHS or other employer
If the cost of your course is being funded by your employer, please contact your education lead or manager for guidance as to how they would prefer you to make an application.
Additional Information
- Pre-registration_Nursing_Article (671.2 KB)