(Hons) Nursing (Adult Health and Child Health) University of Plymouth

Overview

As well as preparing students for a clinical role, in a range of healthcare settings nationally or internationally, the (Hons) Nursing (Adult Health and Child Health) course from the University of Plymouth  is an excellent choice for those considering a career in research and nurse education, that is to say, it is a challenging option for those looking for a fast tracked career.

Careers 

Children's nursing

Children’s or paediatric nurses care for new-borns through to adolescents with acute or long-term illnesses. They are experts in interpreting children’s feelings, thoughts and behaviour to identify when a child’s health takes a turn for the worse. They support families and children during periods of great change and stress, by utilising scientific research to inform treatment.

Children’s nurses work with a wide range of conditions to help to improve a child’s health and their development into adulthood, where possible. These can be grouped into five main categories:

• Babies

Children’s nurses work with new-borns that can be very poorly and need urgent medical assistance in a neonatal unit. Some babies may need short-term intervention or long-term care. You’ll also work with bereaved parents.

• Children with eating disorders

You’ll work with children up to the age of 18 that may be suffering from an eating disorder or weight management issues.

• Minor ailments

Children’s nurses treat children with a range of minor conditions such as cuts, broken bones, bruises and many more.

• Serious conditions

You work with children who may be suffering from cancer, congenital disorders, burns, infections, inherited diseases, organ failures, rare conditions and many more. You may see children that are in hospital for months at a time, or those that are admitted on a frequent basis. Children’s nurses work with children in intensive care, who have come out from surgery, and those requiring end of life care.

• Developmental conditions

You’ll work with children that may have mental or physical developmental conditions that may impact their transition into adulthood. You may also work with children with learning difficulties or special needs.

Adult nursing

Adult nurses provide nursing care for adults of all ages with acute or long-term illness. They prioritise the needs of the patient, building trusting relationships to play a vital role in health promotion and disease prevention.

Adult nurses work closely with healthcare professionals, patients and their families, to support recovery using evidence-based practice.

Adult nurses work with a wide range of conditions to help to improve patient’s health and overall quality of life, where possible. These can be grouped into five main categories:

• Cardio respiratory

This relates to the action of both the heart and lungs. Some of the conditions you might work with in this category are: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, care after organ transplants, pneumonia and shortness of breath, asthma and cardiac arrests.

• Musculoskeletal

This relates to the muscles and the skeleton. Disorders that you might see frequently are fractures, people that have fallen, and persistent pain conditions.

• Neurological

This relates to the anatomy, functions and disorders of the nerves and nervous system. Some of these conditions include Multiple Sclerosis, stroke, and people with potential head or brain injuries.

• Long-term conditions

Adult nurses work on a number of specialist wards to help patients with long-term conditions related to cancer, gastroenterological, sexual health, ear, nose and throat, renal and many more. You may work with people that have physical and mental health conditions, and people with a range of learning difficulties.

• Physical problems

Some of the conditions adult nurses might treat or help patients with include burns or scalds, broken bones, spinal injuries, minor injuries, loss of consciousness, fits that are not stopping, sepsis, severe bleeding, severe allergic reactions, those recovering from surgery and many more.