Overview
Contemporary nursing practice is based upon sound theoretical foundations based in the life sciences, knowledge of interpersonal working, problem solving and ethical reasoning. The programme team, in partnership with colleagues from practice and service users, have been involved in the design of the course which will enable the student to become an informed, innovative, motivated, confident and above all competent practitioner able to respond to health care needs and meet the requirements for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
BSc (Hons) Child Health Nursing course enables students to gain a professional qualification and an Honours degree. The course is concerned with developing the knowledge and skills required to respond to health care needs of children and young people and their family/carer(s) in a variety of settings. This includes, for example, the assessment, measurement and monitoring of vital signs, communication skills, understanding of developmental psychology and all aspects of medicines management, as well as supporting and educating the child and family in managing their health and illness/disability. Students are also expected to develop the skills of independent learning, critical analysis, leadership, management and decision making.
All students are expected to comply with both the regulations that form UCS policy and the NMC (2010) Guidance on professional conduct for nursing and midwifery students – http://www.nmc-uk.org/Documents/Guidance/NMC-Guidance-on-professional-conduct-for-nursing-and-midwifery-students.PDF|
Why study this course?
This course offers students the opportunity to focus on the specific health needs of children, young people and their family/carer(s).The programme is equally concerned with promoting and safeguarding the health of children and young people and caring for them when they become unwell.
The nature of child health nursing means that students will be involved in working with the variety of children and young people who access the services provided by the health care system. This will range in both the age of the patient (from prematurity to 18 years) and for a variety of reasons, either short-term or long-term i.e. with physical, emotional, or mental health care needs.
All of the children and young people that Child Health Nurses work with will have individual and diverse needs and some may have a long term condition with complex needs. Therefore, the philosophy underpinning the course and the skills students develop are centred around family-centred care and working in partnership with children, young people and their family/carer(s).
In the branch programme UCS offers students the opportunity to study as a member of a small group which enables the development of a supportive environment for discussion of the many sensitive and emotional issues that arise as a result of caring for children and young people and their family/carer(s). The skills laboratory and the use of sophisticated computerised technology enable students to practice clinical skills in a safe environment.
Learning and Teaching Strategy
The course delivers a blended approach to teaching and learning, including lectures both at the Ipswich Waterfront Campus and at base sites in year 1. Other approaches to learning include; clinical skills teaching; use of a virtual learning environment; large group teaching; small group teaching and private study. A blended approach to teaching and learning continues in years 2 and 3 however; as the group of Child Health Nursing students is small all face-to-face teaching takes place at the Ipswich Waterfront Campus.
Base Site Locations and Clinical Placements
Base sites are used for clinical practice placements and some theoretical sessions in years 2 and 3:
East Suffolk/Ipswich
West Suffolk/Bury St Edmunds
Great Yarmouth
All clinical placements throughout the three years of the course are child focused. Each base site typically offers clinical placements in the following areas/or specialities:
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A children’s ward in an acute NHS Trust
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Neonatal Unit
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Emergency Department
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Children’s Community Nursing Team
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Children’s Hospice
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Health Visitor
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School Nurse
Practice Hours
When working in practice you complete a 37½ hour a week, this includes early shifts, late shifts, long days, weekends and night shifts depending on where you are placed.
Please note: You are expected to work on placement during the whole seven day week period. Shift hours vary according to where you are based. In the first year you will not be allocated to work any night shifts. During years 2 and 3 you will work a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 20 night shifts.
Assessment Strategy
At the end of each module and a semester placement(s) students will be subject to summative assessment. The criteria that are applied are defined by the outcomes of the module and/or the practice expectations – these include, and are plotted against, the requirements and expectations of the Nursing and Midwifery Council for the point of the programme.
Assessments in theory and practice include; project work, presentation, examination (written and practical), practice portfolios and essays.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of your course you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of places including community and hospital settings, education and research. With the increasing emphasis on nursing children and young people in the community the opportunities are continuing to grow for Child Health Nurses.
Content and Modules
There are two 22 week semesters in every year of the programme. Each semester consists of 50% practice and 50% theory.
Year 1 (Foundation Studies)
This year is concerned with learning the fundamentals of caring both theoretically and practically. All students enrolled on a nursing programme study together in year one.
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Name of Module
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Level
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Credits
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Semester
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Description
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Nursing Practice 1
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4
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40
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1 and 2
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Skill development allowing the student to contribute to the plan of care with generic and field specific skills.
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Introduction to Professional Studies
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4
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0
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1
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-
Induction to higher education three weeks at the start of semester 1
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Life Sciences
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4
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20
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1 and 2
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An examination of the foundations of physiology, related anatomy and psychology that are essential for care
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Fundamentals of Care
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4
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20
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1
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An exploration of the organisation of care and the essential cognitive skills required to engage in caring both in the student’s own field of care and in those of the other parts of the register.
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Contexts of Care.
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4
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20
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2
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A consideration of the current and anticipated range of care environments, including ethical, regulatory, scientific and technological and cultural influences.
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Interprofessional Learning (IPL): The Professional Person.
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4
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20
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1 and 2
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An examination of the person within the professional and intra/inter-personal processes required to engage with the self and others in a caring and compassionate way.
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BSc (Hons) In Child Health - Year 2 and 3
This includes Child Health specific learning to manage and lead the care firstly of individual patients and their family/carer(s) and then of small groups in a range of settings. As the cohort is small there is no base site teaching for the branch specific element of the programme in years 2 and 3.
BSc (Hons) In Child Health - Year 2
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Name of Module
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Level
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Credits
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Semester
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Description
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Nursing Practice 2.
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5
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40
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1 and 2
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Development of the skills and knowledge required to engage in the assessment, planning and implementation of care for individuals.
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Evidence Based Practice: Child Health Nursing
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5
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20
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1
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An exploration of the scope and nature of knowledge, its construction and application to the field of practice.
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Service User and the Professional Partnership
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5
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20
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1
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A care focussed, field of practice, service user orientated module designed to assist the student to develop the capacities required to be person and solution focussed in planning nursing interventions.
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Contemporary Practice in Child Health Nursing
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5
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20
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2
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An exploration of the specific theoretical, heuristic and experiential knowledge required within the field of practice.
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Research 4 Practice
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5
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20
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2
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An exploration of the social and cognitive constructions of research as applied to care practice. The module intends to arm the student with the knowledge and skills required to be properly research minded.
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Interprofessional Learning (IPL): The Service User
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5
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Notional Practice Credits
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1 and 2
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Credits notionally related to those awarded for practice. The student will use critical reflection, analysis of the service user journey and promotion of multi-agency working across health and social care teams to enhance the care that they provide to service users. The students will be able to reflect on appropriate and profession specific scenarios where interprofessional working is advocated.
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BSc (Hons) in Child Health Nursing - Year 3
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Name of Module
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Level
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Credits
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Semester
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Description
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Nursing Practice 3.
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6
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40
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1 and 2
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Development of the skills and knowledge required to manage, lead and innovate in the delivery of care of small numbers of persons in specific settings.
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Enhancing Care through Service Improvement: Child Health Nursing
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6
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20
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1 and 2
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A critical examination of the theoretical underpinning of practice in a variety of settings supported with the development of those cognitive and operational skills required to be an innovator of care.
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|
Dissertation
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6
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40
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1 and 2
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A module supporting the production of a piece of work designed to present a critical appreciation of advanced care.
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Interprofessional Learning (IPL): The Organisation
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6
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20
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1 and 2
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The module promotes multi-agency working across health and social care teams. Students will be encouraged to work as flexible practitioners and critical thinkers. Management of self is key to evaluating their role and the role of others within the interprofessional team.
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Further Information
NHS Bursaries
Students do not pay fees for these courses, and are entitled to apply for and NHS bursary. For details please visit http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students| or http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details/Default.aspx?Id=89|
Student testimonials
“Feedback from students completing the course on the aspects of the course they found beneficial included the following comments brilliant support and guidance from Child Branch lecturers, excellent and wide range of placement areas; interesting modules that are relevant to child health nursing; interesting lectures; the range of resources available; good computing facilities; helpful support from library staff.”
Suzy has completed the first year of the Dip HE Child Health Nursing programme:
“Studying Child Health Nursing in training to be a children’s nurse at University Campus Suffolk is an exciting, challenging and thoroughly rewarding commitment. Not only do you have the opportunity to learn the innovative theory behind providing evidence based child and family centred nursing, you are able to apply this to your own practise throughout your three years of training. Supported by fantastic lecturers and practise mentors that offer structured lectures and clinical placements to meet the needs of your nursing education, University Campus Suffolk offers the applicant an outstanding opportunity to establish and launch a positive and ever-changing future.”
Nazia (Mili) has completed the first year and has enrolled onto the BSc (Hons) Child Health Nursing programme:
“Having been on the course for over a year now, I can honestly say I have enjoyed all aspects of it. From learning about different aspects of care in theory to having placement on a children’s ward, and even practicing hospital bed making skills! I entered the course straight from sixth form and am very glad that I have found the right course and university for me.”
Recommended websites
Nursing and Midwifery Council: www.nmc-uk.org/|
The Nursing Standard: www.nursing-standard-journal.co.uk|
The Nursing Times: www.nursingtimes.net|
BBC Health news:www.bbc.co.uk/news/health/|
NHS Choices: www.nhs.uk|