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Children's Nursing MSc

Why choose this course?

This course provides you with theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to register as a children's nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Children's nurses provide care for children and young people from birth to 18 years of age across settings, for example hospital, home and hospice. The role of the children's nurse includes promoting health and minimising illness in collaboration with families. When providing nursing care for children, working with the family and consideration of their needs is essential.
Children's nurses work collaboratively with a range of professionals to meet the specific needs of children, young people and their families wherever they are cared for.

Within our state of the art simulation suites, our children's nursing students can further develop the skills required to care for children and families in a safe environment, which closely mimics a health care environment (hospital and home). Family role players are central to this learning experience.

You will have a diverse range of quality placements where you will develop your nursing skills under the supervision of supportive practitioners.

You will have the opportunity to take a national or international elective module at the end of your first year.

Our 2020 curriculum is currently being revised in line with the new NMC standards.

Government Bursary

Nursing students on courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back, subject to eligibility criteria.

Apply for this course
UCAS code Mode Duration Attendance Start date
B733 Full time 2 years Classroom based and clinical placements September 2020
Location Kingston Hill

Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • We are No. 1 for Nursing and Midwifery in London (Guardian University League Tables 2020).
  • Our award-winning simulation suite offers a wide range of realistic environments to learn in. These include hospital wards and community settings, with infant, child and young people manikins.
  • 100 per cent of students from this course are in employment or further study six months after graduating (DHLE 2016/17).

What you will study

The first year is divided into two parts. In part one you will undertake a bridging module introducing you to the foundations of nursing and healthcare. In part two you will look at the context of nursing within a variety of client groups within your specific field of nursing. General nursing topics are studied alongside subjects tailored to children's nursing.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Year 1 (part one and two)

Year 2 (part 3)

Core modules

Introduction to Nursing for Graduates

30 credits

This is a core module for all graduate students. It introduces you to nursing and enables you to develop skills and critical knowledge that will enable the application of safe delivery of care for an individual through person-centred care and the care model pathways.

Nursing Practice Part 1

30 credits

This module will be delivered in part one of the Masters nursing programme. The module prepares the novice student for their Practice Learning Opportunities in part one of the programme. The module focuses on the development of professional values and the delivery of safe, holistic compassionate care. It is a generic module where all fields of nursing are engaged with core essential skills as identified by the NMC Standards for Pre-Registration Nursing Education (NMC, 2010). The module is a bridge between theory and practice.

Nursing the Acutely Ill Child

30 credits

This module builds on previous child specific modules. The module will enable you to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the nursing care for children and young people with acute illness. The nursing care will be holistic in nature therefore covering not only physical aspects but also psychological, social and cultural. It will look at how care can be delivered in partnership with families and the multi-disciplinary team. The care discussed will be evidence-based and individualised for the child and family.

Nursing Practice Part 2

30 credits

This module will be delivered in part two of the programme. The module prepares you for your Practice Learning Opportunity (PLO). It focuses on professional values, the delivery of safe compassionate care in partnership with the client. It is a generic module where all fields of nursing are engaged with essential skills as identified by the Standards for Pre-Registration Nursing Education (NMC, 2010). The module is a bridge between theory and practice.

Contemporary Issues in Children's Nursing

30 credits

This module builds on previous child specific modules and will explore local, national and global perspectives on contemporary issues caring for children and young people. Within the module you will be facilitated to develop your knowledge, skills and attitudes pertinent to the enduring health care needs of children and young people in partnership with families across care settings.

Core modules

Complexities of Children's Nursing

30 credits

This module builds on previous child specific modules by ensuring an in depth examination of the needs of children and young people with complex health care issues/problems. Within the module, you will be enabled to develop your knowledge, skills and attitudes as you move towards caring for children and young people requiring complex, high dependency, critical and palliative care in partnership with families across care settings.

Transition to Professional Practice in Children's Nursing

30 credits

This capstone module will enable you to reflect upon your personal and professional growth. It will draw on evidence of learning and development compiled throughout the programme. It will foster the development and application of leadership, management and team working concepts required for clinical practice. This module will enable you to reflect on the skills necessary to facilitate the transition to a Registered Children's Nurse.

Nursing Practice Part 3

30 credits

This module prepares you for your practice learning opportunities (PLO) and final sign-off placement. The module focuses on professional values, the delivery of safe compassionate care and the assessment and management of patients with complex health care needs. The module aims to develop your clinical competence and confidence prior to registration. It is a generic module where all fields of nursing are engaged with essential skills as identified by the Standards for Pre-Registration Nursing Education (NMC, 2010). The module is a bridge between theory and practice.

Developing and Analysing Evidence-Based Practice

30 credits

This module is designed to enable you to further develop and consolidate your skills and knowledge regarding searching for, appraising, evaluating and applying evidence based practice to ensure a life-long focus on best care at all times for your particular patient/client group. The module will also enable you to systematically organise and make analytical and objective judgements on the reviewed evidence in your field-specific areas of practice.

 

The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

  • Normally a health or science-related at 2.2 or above completed in the last 5 years. Health and science-related degrees could include health studies, psychology, physiology, biology, social sciences, or related studies to the above.  
  • A minimum of 650 hours of health or social care related experience undertaken in the 12 months prior to your application. Applicants will be asked to complete an RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) claim form to demonstrate the achievement of 650 hours of recent experience. Successful achievement of this form, along with a testimony, are a condition for entry to the programme.
  • You must have at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above (or grade C or above for GCSEs taken before 2017), including English language and, maths (and a science subject is preferred), or equivalent qualifications, together with evidence of academic study, ideally within the last five years.

Additional requirements

The UCAS personal statement must include:

  • how you have researched the profession of nursing;
  • examples of how you have worked with vulnerable people or worked in teams where you have developed skills which may be relevant to nursing;
  • how you have gained insight into the course e.g. open days, speaking to other people;
  • and your personal qualities which you feel are related to nursing.

International

Non-native speakers who do not have the equivalent of GCSE English at grade 4 (formerly grade C) or an equivalent (e.g. Functional Skills Level 2 Literacy) require an Academic IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent overall and at least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7 in the reading, listening and speaking sections.

Interview and selection

  • All suitable applicants are required to attend an interview and selection day. 
  • Interviews will be undertaken by academic members of staff, service users and service-side colleagues using the multi-mini interview technique (MMIs). MMIs are value-based short structured interviews that assess some of the NHS key values and attributes required for the course and the nursing profession. These are similar in format to the OSCEs used to assess practice elements of the programme. Kingston and St George's were the first university to introduce MMIs for nursing, which have now been adopted widely across the country. Research has shown that the MMIs have a higher level of validity in the offer making process than traditional interview techniques. 
  • During the day, you will also have an informal assessment of your current digital literacy skills, which provides us with a baseline to develop your digital skills during the course.
  • Candidates called for interview will also be required to sit a literacy test in the form of an essay.
  • Admission is subject to occupational health screening and an Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check, including checks against the Adult and Child Workforce Barring Lists, if you are offered and accept a place on the course.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods include lectures, clinical skills sessions, seminars, tutorials, workshops, guided study, field trips and independent project work. Kingston University has well-equipped simulation suites where you can use clinical equipment and practise on mannequins and teaching models. In addition, simulated events related to children's nursing. Our academic staff and simulation and skills team have won both national and university awards for their innovative simulations.

This course is split into 50% theory and 50% clinical practice.

Guided independent study

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students

As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services. 

Your workload

Year 1 (part one and two)

Year 2 (part three)

Year 1 (part one and two)
  • Scheduled teaching: 178 hours
  • Guided independent study: 722 hours
  • Placement: 986 hours
Year 2 (part three)
  • Scheduled teaching: 158 hours
  • Guided independent study: 742 hours
  • Placement: 855 hours

Year 1

  • 9% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity
  • 52% of your time will be spent in a clinical placement
  • 38% of your time will be spent in guided independent study

Year 2

  • 9% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity
  • 49% of your time will be spent in a clinical placement
  • 42% of your time will be spent in guided independent study

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules

How you will be assessed

Assessment methods include academic skills assessed by; essays, exams, posters and reports and clinical skills assessed in our simulation suites and by practice supervisors or assessors in practice placements.

The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows:

Year one (part one and two):

  • 40% coursework
  • 40% practical exam
  • 20% written exam

Year two (part three):

  • 75% coursework
  • 25% practical exam

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Who teaches this course?

Our academic team of highly skilled nurses, lecturers and researchers are known for innovation in teaching and learning. Our award-winning simulation suites provide you with unrivalled opportunities to develop your skills in caring for patients and service users through highly realistic simulations and role play. You will also have opportunities to learn with and from other health and social care students.

Our team includes Professor Jayne Price, lead editor of Palliative Care for Children and Families, and editor of Essentials of Nursing Children and Young People.

The Children's Nursing Team recently published the Clinical Pocket Reference: Nursing Care of Children and Young People.

Our lecturers receive national and international awards for their excellence in learning and teaching.

Miss Karen Elliott

Miss Karen Elliott

Course Leader

Professor Jayne Price

Professor Jayne Price

Associate Professor and Team Leader

Mrs Lorna Ashbrooke

Mrs Lorna Ashbrooke

Ms Mary Brady

Ms Mary Brady

Kimberley Byrnes

Kimberley Byrnes

Mrs Karen Chandler

Mrs Karen Chandler

Mrs Zoe Clark

Mrs Zoe Clark

Mrs Elizabeth Crighton

Mrs Elizabeth Crighton

Mrs Kamalpreet Dhindsa

Mrs Kamalpreet Dhindsa

Mrs Karen Elcock

Mrs Karen Elcock

Ms Claire Emery

Ms Claire Emery

Mr Kevin Hannigan

Mr Kevin Hannigan

Mrs Francina Hyatt

Mrs Francina Hyatt

Miss Jessica Inch

Miss Jessica Inch

Dr Stephen McKeever

Dr Stephen McKeever

Mrs Sophie Newcombe

Mrs Sophie Newcombe

Mrs Sally Richardson

Mrs Sally Richardson

Course fees and funding

2020/21 fees

Home and European Union 2020/21

MSc full time: £9,250

Overseas (not EU) 2020/21

MSc full time £14,555

Funding

Full time students qualify for the same fee loan and living costs support as undergraduate students starting full-time higher education courses in 2019/20 by accessing loans from the Student Loans Company.

Visit our Fees and funding page to find out about the student funding options available to help you fund your postgraduate studies.

In addition, to support you while you are undertaking the clinical placement element of your studies, the government is providing non-repayable grants. The Learning Support Fund administered through the NHS Business Services Authority makes available: 

  • £1,000 Child Dependants' Allowance 

  • up to £3,000 for exceptional hardship 

  • reimbursement of additional travel and accommodation costs over normal daily travel to clinical placements. 

Information on NHS bursaries can be found on the NHS Business Services Authority website. 
 
Please note, you cannot apply for a pre-registration masters qualification in the same profession that you are already registered in, for example, if you hold a BSc Nursing in Adult Nursing, you are unable to complete an MSc Nursing in Mental Health. 

Discounts for Kingston University alumni

Kingston University is pleased to offer a 10 per cent discount on full-time and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees (including PGCE courses) to our alumni. Visit our Alumni discount page to find out more.

Government Student Grant

Nursing students on pre-registration courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back, subject to eligibility criteria. For more information please visit Health Careers and The Funding Clinic. 

Facilities

Kingston University's unique partnership with St George's, University of London (SGUL), means that health and social care students can access the combined resources of both Kingston University and SGUL.

As a student on this course, you will be based mainly at the Kingston Hill campus and will use the St George's campus for working in the anatomy laboratory.

Kingston University's Kingston Hill campus

Kingston University's Kingston Hill campus offers you modern facilities and include well-equipped laboratories where you can practise within a safe environment.

Our clinical skills laboratories house all the equipment needed to simulate clinical practice.

St George's, University of London campus

The St George's, University of London campus in Tooting is based alongside St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and offers you the specialist teaching environment of a medical school.

After you graduate

This course enables you to join as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Once qualified, you will have a range of employment opportunities in leading NHS and independent organisations. Staff development and continuing professional development programmes support and encourage life-long learning.

Continuing your professional development

Healthcare is constantly developing and advancing as the needs of the population change, more research evidence emerges and new technologies are created. Once you've qualified, it's important to keep up to date with current healthcare knowledge and practice. This will be required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and encouraged by your employer.

Today's NHS is going through a period of unprecedented change. Nurses are learning new skills and taking on more responsibility. The number of nurse-led specialist services is growing and nurses are playing a more active role in managing people's health and wellbeing, both in hospital and the community.

Specialist skills

There are many opportunities for nurses to advance their careers by developing specialist skills. These include clinical skills such as suturing, venepuncture, cannulation and prescribing, as well as running specialist nurse-led services in areas like diabetes drug and alcohol misuse and nurse-led services for older people.

New roles such as nurse practitioner and nurse consultant demand more advanced clinical and academic skills and provide further career development opportunities with salaries that reflect these specialist skills.

Teaching and mentoring

Qualified nurses play a major role in educating nursing students and training their own colleagues. Many find mentoring very rewarding and most will be involved in teaching and supervising students on practice placements. The lecturer practitioner role also allows nurses to combine an interest in teaching with hands-on practice.

Evidence-based practice

All modern nursing practice is evidence-based - which means applying clinical research findings to deliver the most suitable care to patients. Nurses are encouraged to reflect on their practice, undertake research, publish papers and speak at conferences and seminars. There are many examples of nurse-led research being used to change practice within clinical settings.

Management

Professional nurses today have management and leadership responsibilities and make a real contribution to changing the way services are organised and delivered.

Supporting your development

We offer a wide range of opportunities for continuing professional development and lifelong learning, including events and seminars, study days, short courses and qualifications at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Accreditation

This degree confers both an academic award and a professional qualification in nursing. On successful completion of the programme, you will be recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Council for professional registration.

Links with the health sector

You will undertake clinical practice in a variety of NHS and independent sector organisations so that you can experience the full range of nursing within your chosen branch programme. Clinical specialists lead a significant number of our theory sessions, with service users and carers providing extra input.

Academic staff also liaise closely with NHS and independent sector organisations over learning and teaching, assessment and research.

Our clinical partners include:

Current research in this subject

Current research in this subject

Many of our staff in the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education are research active, often in partnership with NHS trusts. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.

Research themes and programmes include:

  • Integrated and collaborative working and learning;
  • Implementation and Improvement;
  • Emergency, cardiovascular and critical care;
  • Psychological and Cognitive Conditions;
  • Education

Heritage 2 Health programme

Through our Heritage 2 Health programme, you will have the opportunity to work with professionals in the creative industries, helping to promote the best care for service users at heritage sites.

Postgraduate study
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