You can do a degree in children's nursing approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. You might be able to study another area of nursing alongside children's nursing on some degree courses. 

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.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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

You might be able to apply for a Registered Nurse Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, if you work in a healthcare setting like a hospital.

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.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

You might find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary experience in healthcare before you apply for nurse training. It might also be useful to have experience working with children or young people. 

You'll need:

• knowledge of medicine
• knowledge of psychology
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• leadership skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• customer service skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

In this role you could:

• work with doctors to assess what a child needs if they are ill, injured or have a disability
• decide what level of nursing care is required 
• give injections and medication, treat wounds and use medical equipment
• observe and interpret a child's behaviour to monitor how well their treatment is working
• support parents and carers who have a child in hospital
• advise parents and carers on how to give ongoing care at home

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.