Degree Overview:

Overview The BSc Professional Nursing (Children and Young People) - Feb intake program at Queen's University Belfast is a three-year, full-time degree program designed to equip students with the essential knowledge, skills, and values necessary to become competent and compassionate practitioners in the field of Children & Young People's Nursing. The program integrates theory and practice, ensuring that students gain a deep understanding of child development, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and nursing care, alongside practical experience in clinical settings. Graduates will be prepared to work with infants, children, and young people across a range of care settings, providing holistic and family-centered care.

Objectives Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

Deliver safe and effective care which is child and young person centred, adhering to their physical, psychosocial, spiritual and cultural needs.
Safeguard the child and young person and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
Consider the child or young person as an active partner in their health care, promoting shared decision-making and offering relevant education and support.
Value the family as a partner in care, recognizing the importance of collaboration and communication with families and carers.
Become an active team member, working effectively with other healthcare professionals to provide seamless and comprehensive care.
Demonstrate leadership skills, taking initiative and managing the care of the child or young person with complex and high dependency needs.
Continuously reflect on their practice, identifying areas for improvement and seeking opportunities for professional development.

Program Description This program is structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of children's nursing, covering essential theoretical knowledge and equipping them with practical skills. The program emphasizes child-centered care, collaborative practice, and ethical decision-making. The first year of the program focuses on building a strong foundation in biosciences, pharmacology, and the principles of child health and development. Students will also be introduced to the core concepts of professional nursing, ethics, and communication. In the second year, students will delve deeper into their understanding of acute and chronic health conditions in children and young people, exploring the pathophysiology of these conditions and the latest evidence-based interventions. They will also gain experience in conducting assessments, planning care, and implementing interventions in a variety of clinical settings. The third year of the program focuses on leadership and professional development, equipping students with the necessary skills to manage the care of complex and high-dependency children and young people. They will also refine their communication and collaboration skills, preparing them to be effective team members in the healthcare setting. The program culminates with students undertaking a final year research project, allowing them to demonstrate their critical thinking and research skills.

Outline:

Program Content This program covers a broad range of topics relevant to the field of Children & Young People's Nursing, including:

Biosciences and Pharmacology: Anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, medication administration, and safe medication practices.
Child Health and Development: Stages of child development, common childhood illnesses, assessment techniques, and child psychology.
Professional Nursing: Fundamentals of nursing care, communication skills, ethical decision-making, and legal aspects of nursing practice.
Acute and Chronic Care: Management of acute and chronic health conditions, pain management, and rehabilitation strategies.
Leadership and Professional Development: Effective leadership skills, teamwork, conflict resolution, and change management.
Family-Centered Care: Understanding the role of the family in providing care, working collaboratively with families, and supporting their needs.
Evidence-Based Practice: Identifying, evaluating, and applying research evidence to improve patient care.

Course Schedule The program is organized into weekly modules, each covering a specific topic within the field of Children & Young People's Nursing. Each module is typically taught over a period of 3-4 weeks, with a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical sessions.

Year 1 Modules:

Public Health Perspectives
Professionalism in Nursing
Essential Life Science and Foundations of Pharmacology
Foundation of Children's and Young People's Nursing
Caring Communication in Nursing
Safe Medicate 1
Evidence Based Nursing 1

Year 2 Modules:

Safe Medicate 2 - Children and Young People
Working Interprofessionally to Improve Mental Wellbeing
Essential Pharmacology
Caring for the Child and Young Person with Long Term Needs
Caring for the Acutely Ill Child and Young Person
Applied Life Science
Evidence Based Nursing 2

Year 3 Modules:

Developing Leadership and Professionalism
Safe Medicate 3 - Children and Young People
Complex and High Dependency of Infants, Children and Young People
Applied Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
Supporting Infants, Children, Young People & Families with Effective Transitions Across Services
Inter-Professional Working
Evidence Based Nursing for Quality Improvement

Clinical Placements:

Students will undertake a minimum of 50% of their time in University learning the latest nursing theory and clinical skills, and 50% in practice placements across a range of healthcare settings. This ensures that students gain the necessary practical experience to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world situations.

Modules Description:

The detailed description of each individual module can be found on the Queen's University Belfast website: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/professional-nursing-children-young-people-msc/.

Assessment: This program utilizes a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning and ensure they are meeting the required learning outcomes. These methods include:

Written examinations to assess students' understanding of theoretical knowledge.
Coursework assignments to evaluate students' ability to apply theory to practice, demonstrate critical thinking skills, and conduct research.
Clinical assessments to observe students' clinical skills and decision-making abilities in the practice setting.
Presentations to allow students to showcase their communication skills and critical thinking abilities.
Reflective portfolios to track students' personal and professional development throughout the program.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

Lectures
Seminars
Workshops
Clinical placements
Individual study

Faculty:

The program is taught by a team of experienced and qualified academics and practitioners with expertise in children's nursing, research, education, and clinical practice.

Unique Approaches:

Integrated theory and practice: The program is designed to ensure that students develop a strong understanding of theory alongside practical skills, preparing them for the real-world demands of the nursing profession.
Clinical placements: Students will spend a significant portion of their time in clinical placements, gaining valuable experience in a variety of healthcare settings.
Research-informed teaching: The program is informed by the latest research findings in the field of children's nursing, ensuring that students are learning the most current and evidence-based practices.
Person-centered care: The program emphasizes the importance of providing care that is centered on the individual needs of the child or young person, ensuring that they are treated with respect and dignity.
Collaborative practice: Students will be encouraged to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to provide holistic and comprehensive care to their patients.

Careers: Graduates of this program will be eligible to register as a Children's Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and will be well-prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

Hospital nurse: Working in a variety of hospital settings, such as pediatric wards, neonatal intensive care units, and children's outpatient clinics.
Community nurse: Providing care to children and young people in their homes and communities.
School nurse: Providing care to students in schools and promoting health and well-being among the school population.
Specialist nurse: Specializing in a particular area of children's nursing, such as oncology, cardiology, or neurology.
Advanced practice nurse: Continuing their education to become a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist, taking on more complex roles within the healthcare system.

Other:

Program Duration: The program is full-time and takes three years to complete.
Program Start Date: The program starts in February each year.
Funding: The program is fully funded by the Department of Health for Home students, including full fees

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Northern Ireland (NI) 1
£0 / £7,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2
£0 / £7,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1
EU Other 3
International
No fee for commissioned students / £7,800 for non-commissioned students

Professional Nursing Children and Young People draft

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