This blended learning apprenticeship course has been designed to provide a flexible way to study whilst being employed in child healthcare services. During this apprenticeship you’ll get the opportunity to develop the vital skills, values and confidence you need to care for children, young people and their families whatever their circumstances, including those with acute illness, long-term conditions or those who need help to maintain their health.

• You’ll have the opportunity to study to become a nurse in a flexible way, that fits around work and life.
• You’ll develop and practise your clinical skills in a safe environment in our fully-equipped simulated children’s ward using our patient simulators.
• Clinical placements provide opportunities for you to put what you’ve learnt into practice in a variety of acute settings including children's wards, accident and emergency departments and neonatal intensive care.
• Opportunities are available to work with specialist nurses in a range of community settings including GP surgeries, health centres, children's hospices, as well as mainstream and specialist schools.
• You’ll have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.

The course is mainly delivered through digital technologies and also involves practical, hands-on experience. Although the theoretical component is predominantly delivered online, you’ll attend the campus in Huddersfield (or similar venue close to your home) for a maximum total of four one-week blocks for simulation and skills training. You’ll do this in each year of the course, providing the opportunity for you to practise skills in a safe and controlled environment. You’ll also undertake practice placements across the NHS and healthcare organisations in a setting close to home.

In line with the apprenticeship model, the course is designed to support a training in practice approach. Whilst undertaking the course you’ll remain employed by your host organisation and may spend 20% of your time in your current workplace. The remaining 80% will be spent at the University undertaking theory work and clinical placements. The course culminates in an End Point Assessment (EPA) which is independently assessed outside of the Higher Education Institution (Skills Funding Agency, 2018). The course is designed to be progressively demanding and once qualified you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and work as a Registered Nurse for Children.

Placements

 with any required help and advice. In order to provide you with the broadest professional experience possible, practice experiences are generally offered across West Yorkshire and occasionally beyond, covering 24 hour care including evening, weekend and nights.

Whilst on placement you'll be supported by trained supervisors and assessors, as well as by members of the academic team who will meet with you and your practice support team every 12 weeks.

Please note that you'll be required to travel to and during your placements.

Your Career

Possible career opportunities include working in local and national hospitals, the community and children’s hospices. Child nurses also work in neonatal and paediatric intensive care areas, children’s community nursing teams and in regional children’s specialist centres.

After qualification there is also an extensive range of further professional development opportunities available, which may lead to possible careers as a health visitor or school nurse, as well as nurse specialist roles.