What can you do with a Child Nursing degree?

Calling all caring souls with a soft spot for little ones! Look no further if you've ever wondered how to turn your passion for children into a meaningful job. A child nursing degree is the key to unlocking a world of opportunities. Every pathway will give you a chance to make a difference in the lives of teeny tiny children. Consider yourself a light of hope, offering comfort to worried parents and delivering smiles to those in need.   

Continue reading and join us on this exciting journey as we discover the endless possibilities that exist in the field of child nursing. Prepare to begin a journey of kindness, care and delight in raising the next generation!   

What is Child Nursing?

Child nursing is an exciting and rewarding profession. It focuses on delivering special care to new-borns, kids and teens. It's a world where every day offers new challenges, rewards and chances. It allows you to make a difference in the lives of children.   

Child nurses are the hidden heroes of paediatric care. They work hard to guarantee the youngest patients' safety and growth. They differentiate themselves by combining medical skills, kindness and love for children.  And they perform various services such as primary care, health exams, giving medications and helping families during difficult times. They grow into trusted friends for children and parents as they offer physical care, emotional support and comfort.  

What defines child nursing is the unique knowledge and skills which are important to handle the challenges that come with caring for children. Paediatric diseases can be complex, requiring a solid understanding of child development, age-appropriate therapies and the ability to communicate with young patients.  

Child nurses are trained to match their method to each child's age and developmental stage. They make sure that they receive the most appropriate care. They are masters at building connections and putting children at ease. Lastly, they create a supportive environment for children that promotes healing and growth.   

How much do child nurses get paid?

Are you interested in the salary potential of child nurses in the United Kingdom?   

People in the UK respect child nurses for their unique skills and their commitment to giving excellent care to young patients. As a result, their pay mirrors the importance of their role in the healthcare system.  

In general, entry-level child nurses may expect to earn between £24,214 and £30,112 per year. Your income potential as a child nurse grows as you get more experience and skills. But it is important to remember that these numbers are only estimations. These may change based on the NHS pay scale, the commercial healthcare industry and any further certifications or specialisations you may earn.  

Furthermore, this field offers great career growth, which can lead to better income. As your experience and skills grow, you can take on leadership responsibilities. You may also be able to specialise in paediatric intensive care, surgery or mental health. Specialising in these fields will help you advance your career.   

Is Child Nursing a good degree?

Are you thinking of getting a child nursing degree? Prepare to learn many reasons why it is an excellent choice.  

First, child nursing is a noble and rewarding profession. By selecting this path, you will have the chance to make a difference in the lives of children. You will be able to offer them important healthcare and help at their most vulnerable times. The medical field respects and values a child nursing degree highly as it contains the information and skills you need to care for newborns, children and teens. With this degree, you become a valued asset in the healthcare system; one that hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities search for.  

The demand for children nurses is increasing because children need treatment that is specific to their unique needs. Medical professionals also understand the value of trained experts in this sector, so a child nursing degree prepares you for a job with other amazing professionals, opportunities and job security.  

Furthermore, this field promotes both personal and professional development. Engaging with children and their families gives you great communication and problem-solving skills. Your resilience, flexibility and capacity to perform under pressure will improve as well.   

Aside from personal growth, this field provides attractive salaries and benefits. You will get rewarded for your knowledge and effort and this will allow you to live a life of financial stability and comfort.  

Hands-on clinical assignments are common in child nursing degrees. These allow you to get practical experience under the guidance of licensed experts. These placements give great learning experiences and allow you to create a professional network, which opens doors to future job options.   

How many years is Child Nursing?   

In the United Kingdom, a child nursing degree takes three to four years to earn. In this degree, you will get the knowledge and skills needed to give special care to children. The length of your child nursing degree can also vary. The duration depends on the course, your study style (full-time or part-time) and any extra requirements or placements included in the course.  

During the first years of your child nursing degree, you'll learn about anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and nursing concepts. The focus will shift as you advance to paediatrics and then children's development, paediatric diseases and family-centred treatment.  

You can choose a postgraduate child nursing degree if you already have a related healthcare certification, like a nursing diploma. These courses build on your previous knowledge and are shorter in duration. They last only one to two years.  

It's important to remember that your degree is just the launching pad. After your degree, you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This will allow you to practise as a qualified children's nurse in the UK. This process involves fulfilling specific standards, such as passing the NMC-approved nursing test.    

What qualifications do you need to be a children's nurse? 

 A nursing degree focusing on paediatric care is needed to work as a children's nurse. This can be a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nursing or a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) in Nursing. To be eligible for a child nursing degree, you must meet specific academic requirements. A-levels or similar qualifications, with science-based subjects, are often valued. And some universities may ask for relevant job skills or healthcare experience in this regard. 

Also, personal traits like kindness, communication and love for children are also important. Graduates must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to practise as certified children's nurses. CPD (continuing professional development) also allows further learning and skill advancement. With these skills and characteristics, you'll be well-prepared to begin a satisfying profession of providing special care to children.   

What can you do with a Child Nursing degree?   

With a child nursing degree, you can pursue various career options; ones that focus on delivering specialised care to babies, children and adolescents. Let's look at some of the attractive options available to you: 

- Paediatric Nurse: Work as a frontline caretaker in hospitals, clinics or paediatric units. You will give critical medical care and help to children. You'll be responsible for providing therapies, monitoring their health and providing comfort to both the children and their families.

- Neonatal nurses: These practitioners are trained to care for new-born infants, especially ones who need specialised medical care. Your knowledge can help premature babies and those with medical difficulties to grow and develop healthily.

- School Nurse: Become a vital part of educational institutions. You will be safeguarding students' health and well-being. You'll manage medical emergencies, encourage preventative healthcare and help with a variety of health-related situations.

- Community Health Nurses: They play an essential role in community healthcare. Care and support to children and families are given in their homes or at local clinics. And their focus is on promoting health, avoiding illness and early intervention.

If none of these excites you, then why now contribute to paediatric healthcare by seeking positions in research or education to share information and drive innovation? You can also work in academic institutions, research centres or healthcare organisations.    

Can I become a midwife with a Child Nursing degree?   

A child nursing degree does not qualify you to be a midwife, but it can give a strong foundation for seeking a career in midwifery. To become a registered midwife in the UK, you must first finish a pre-registration midwifery course. A child nursing degree can improve your chances of getting hired as a midwife, along with a midwifery diploma. This will allow you to provide complete care to women and their families. Consider becoming a dual-qualified healthcare professional - one who can make a difference throughout all life stages.    

What can you do with a Child Nursing degree besides nursing?  

While a child nursing degree in the UK prepares you for a career in nursing. It also provides you with skills and knowledge used for various professions in the healthcare industry. Consider the following rewarding careers:     

- Healthcare educator 

- Paediatric pharmaceutical sales 

- Paediatric medical writing 

- Healthcare management 

- Children's health research 

- Telehealth and digital health 

- Children's health policy or administration 

With extra training and skills, you can make a big difference in kids’ health other than direct patient care.   

Conclusion: 

Do you have a strong desire to provide care to young patients? Look no further than Bolton University, where your path to a rewarding career will begin with #UniAsItShouldBe. A child nursing degree from Bolton University will give you the right wisdom, skills and practical experience you need to make a positive difference.   

A child nursing degree opens up a world of exciting and rewarding job opportunities. Your child nursing degree is the key that unlocks endless options. It gives you a chance to enhance the lives of children and their families, give direct care to young patients, or contribute to their well-being via teaching, research or leadership. Discover the exciting chances that await you and take the first step towards a rewarding career. Enrol in Bolton University today to make your passion a reality.  

To know more about our programs, contact us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call +44 1204 903142 to talk to a member of the team.