Children's nursing

Children's nurses care for sick children and young people from birth to 18 years old. You'll work in close partnership with children’s parents and carers, involving them in planning their child's care and treatment as well as educating them in the care of their child and supporting their emotional needs.

You'll learn about the illnesses and problems that can affect children such as asthma, diabetes and eczema. You'll study the physiology, psychology and normal emotional development of children and how illness can affect this development. Children’s nurses also care for children who are critically ill as a result of birth defects, or traumas such as accidents and injuries, and they care for children who are dying.

Communication skills will play a key part in your role as a child may be unable to clearly express what they feel or need, or describe their level of pain. You'll need to interpret behaviour and reactions and spot if a child's health deteriorates.

Career pathways

Children’s nurses work in hospitals, clinics, day centres and family homes. There are opportunities in dedicated children’s or young teenagers’ services in hospitals as well as specialist areas such as oncology, accident and emergency and intensive care. Children’s nurses also provide general and specialist services in children’s clinics in the community and can specialise in areas such as special educational needs and mental health, or palliative care in hospices for children with terminal illnesses.

“The most satisfying thing is seeing a child get better and go home. However, when the prognosis is not good you have to be able to cope emotionally with children not getting better. I think it also helps to be a bit childlike yourself so you can help the children have some fun. You are there to care for them and educate them but they want to see a cheerful face and someone who can make them feel happy.”

Student nurse