What will I learn on this module?
You will gain a thorough understanding of the complexities of nursing children and young people. This module addresses the care needs of children and young people with additional needs, including those living with a chronic or life limiting illness. Undertaking this module will encourage you to explore the variety of roles performed by the children’s nurse in different settings and think critically about the knowledge needed to fulfil these roles. You will also examine complexities of multi-disciplinary team working within health and social care systems.
In a child and young person’s life there may be certain junctures that warrant deep understanding in order to provide high quality care therefore you will explore some of the more difficult concepts such as withdrawal of care, death and the process of dying. The role of the nurse in discharge planning and transition will be examined, this will provide you with knowledge and skills to support children and young people through this process. The module is delivered through many lenses; the experts by experience will be at the fore of this. The module will explore public health legislative frameworks and initiatives to instil this in the role of the children’s nurse.
The module requires you to demonstrate your growing skills in academic research, through the appraisal of contemporary literature relating to children and young people with complex care needs. The module explores the philosophical assumptions underpinning contemporary healthcare literature to select appropriate research findings to apply to current children’s nursing practice.
How will I learn on this module?
Throughout this module you will be engaged in a variety of learning and teaching approaches. The module will be delivered using a blend of web-based resources, and face-to-face in-class sessions underpinned by the ‘flipped classroom’ approach (Bergman & Sam’s, 2012). This approach will enable you to engage with technology enhanced learning via Blackboard Ultra, with the provision of links to the web-based resources via the University Library and other useful materials; and a combination of pre-recorded e-lecture videos and interactive e-learning packages. Flipping the classroom enables you to engage in both directed and self-directed study outside of formal teaching sessions as preparatory work for facilitated seminars. Engagement with this activity is essential for your active participation in the facilitated sessions.
These sessions will include individual work, group discussion and debate, where you will be encouraged to consider competing perspectives, share opinions, and develop a greater understanding of the complexity of children and young people’s nursing.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Contact with the module team is available in person, via telephone, and email. Support for your learning is also offered via a 24 hour IT Helpline, Student Support and Wellbeing Services via Ask4help and student portal, Skills Plus, the University Library’s collection of online learning materials to support the development of your academic skills.
You will also support each other via peer support, through engaging in discussion and debate to enhance your learning. Additional relevant materials, including the electronic reading list and other teaching and learning methods will be available via Blackboard Ultra/library services to enhance and support your learning. All support will be in line with any Student Accessibility Plans (SAPs).
The use of peer support is a vital component of developing critical discussion and generating ideas and will be utilised during this module.
There are useful study skills guides via the Northumbria University Library.
See the Developing your learning skills link: "Developing your Learning Skills" NU Lib Guides
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Develop an understanding of the complexities of care needs for certain groups of children and young people.
2. Critically analyse the impact of micro and macro systems in society on your chosen case study.
Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:
3. Critically evaluate the role of the nurse in providing care to children and young people with chronic or life limiting conditions.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Demonstrate understanding of the role of collaborative working in meeting the needs of children and young people and their families.
How will I be assessed?
Formative Assessment:
Working in small peer groups you will present your case study identifying the complexities of care. Using coaching methods you will engage in a purposeful conversation to elicit peer feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the content of your presentation (MLO,1)
Summative Assessment:
Your summative assessment will be a 2000-word essay based on a case study from your practice placement.
The assignment will be submitted electronically via Turnitin, and feedback given electronically(MLO’s 1, 2, 3 & 4)
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
In developing a deeper understanding of the complexities of providing nursing care to children and young people, you will develop an appreciation of the impact that specific conditions / events may have on the service user and their family. You will be better able to address the additional nursing needs of children and young people, including those with chronic or life limiting conditions. As part of this module, you will listen to the voices of the people and public who use health and care services to add another dimension to your knowledge base. Furthermore, the module will enable you to grow your existing skills in appraising research considering how this can be applied to practice for the benefit of the child or young person and their family.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 18 months Full Time
Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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