Children's nurse
Children's nurses care for babies, children and young people recovering from illness, injury and other health issues.
- Potential salary
- £32,000 starter to £48,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 37 to 40. Working pattern: evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts.
- Career area
- Health and care
- Where they might work
- You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a hospice, at a children's care home, at a GP practice or at a health centre. Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding. You may need to wear a uniform.
- A typical task
- care for children and young people who are ill, injured or have a disability
- Subjects that may help
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- Typical route
- You can do a degree in children's nursing approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
- Interest area used here
- Helping and teaching
What you might do
- care for children and young people who are ill, injured or have a disability
- work with doctors to assess a child's needs and draw up care plans
- administer drugs, treat wounds and set up drips
- observe and interpret a child's behaviour during treatment
- monitor patient progress and update medical records
- support parents and carers who have a child in hospital
More tasks (2)
- advise parents and carers on how to give ongoing care at home
- work closely with the healthcare team, like play therapists and support staff
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- knowledge of psychology
- excellent verbal communication skills
- active listening skills
- the ability to understand people’s reactions
- the ability to use your initiative
- leadership skills
More skills
- the ability to work well with others
- to be flexible and open to change
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Routes into this career
University route
- You can do a degree in children's nursing approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
- You might be able to get extra student financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.
- You may be able to do an extended degree that combines children's nursing with another nursing branch. You'll need to check that this type of course is recognised by the NMC.
- You might be able to join the second year of a nursing degree if you already have a degree in: a health-related subject; psychology; life sciences; social work.
- Full-time courses usually take 3 years.
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Children's nursing
Direct qualifying route. The degree needs to be approved for children's nursing.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could apply to do a Registered Nurse Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, if you work in a healthcare setting, like a hospital or clinic.
- The degree apprenticeship takes around 4 years and is a mix of academic study and on-the-job training.
- You'll need the support of your employer to do a degree apprenticeship.
- You could work as an assistant practitioner or nursing associate and study for a shortened nursing degree to qualify as a registered children's nurse.
Other routes
- You can volunteer with a charity that works with children and young people to get some experience.
- Volunteering in the NHS is also a good way to get work experience in healthcare. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.
- You can find further opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do it.
- If you're already a registered nurse, for example in adult nursing, you may be able to complete a conversion course to become a children's nurse. Courses normally take between 1 and 2 years.
Career progression
- With experience, you could: specialise in an area like cancer care, neonatal nursing or intensive care; supervise a team of nurses by becoming a clinical team leader or ward manager; work towards a management role like matron or director of nursing; train as a health visitor, school nurse or practice nurse; become an advanced nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or nurse consultant, if you have a postgraduate qualification; work in research and training.
Registration and requirements
you'll need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
pass enhanced background checks
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 2 or 3 A levels, including a science, or a level 3 diploma or access to higher education in health, science or nursing
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship