Philosophy of the Programme

This is a full time, on campus programme which addresses a deficiency in top level pediatric nursing practice. It builds on knowledge and skills acquired during the undergraduate training, to make the graduates a better and more Proficient Evidence Based Clinical Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs). The masters in pediatric nursing builds Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) who are charged to assess, diagnose, and treat infants, children, and adolescents in all care settings. The PNPs uses evidence-based practice guidelines, research, and the best available evidence to determine treatment plans for children.

Objective of the Degree Programme.

The aims of the curriculum are to:

• extend the knowledge and skills of nurses in the assessment and promotion of health and the care of sick children within the context of the family, across a range of clinical and community settings;
• provide an advanced educational experience which will develop the student’s intellectual and imaginative abilities in order to facilitate the development of independent judgement and problem-solving skills;
•  develop the student’s ability to respond to changing needs in children’s nursing in an analytical way;
• develop the student’s critical awareness of relevant research findings and facilitate integration of these findings into children’s nursing practice; and
• provide leadership which is appropriate in the context of children’s nursing and which is underpinned by knowledge and understanding of relevant nursing and social theories and conceptual frameworks.

Skills to be acquired

The skills acquired in the programme will enable the graduates to:

• Develop a range of pediatric nursing skills and improve their personal, professional and academic knowledge
• Improve on their clinical pediatric skills and pediatric client care practices
• Facilitate the development and self-evaluation of own pediatric nursing practice and performance through reflective practice.
• To view and treat the pediatric patient in a holistic manner. 

Programme Outcomes:

The competencies or learning outcomes of the course have been developed to demonstrate achievement of both theoretical and clinical learning in the following areas:
– Specialist clinical practice
– Care and programme management
– Clinical practice leadership
– Clinical practice development.

– Underpinning knowledge will be delivered in the theoretical component of the course and the students will be expected to integrate and apply this knowledge in children’s nursing practice.
On successful completion of the course, the student will be competent to:
 – assess the health and development of children in the age group 0–17 years;
 – identify factors which contribute to or inhibit health in childhood, including the effects of the family and of the wider environment;
– recognize the signs of acute and chronic illness in childhood and the significance of these to health in later life;
– assess, plan, implement and evaluate care formulated from decisions based on ethical
principles and up-to-date evidence/research;
– illustrate safe and effective practice in the administration and disposal of drugs used in the
care of the sick child;
 – communicate with the child and family in ways which are appropriate, i.e. taking specific account of their age, ability, language and culture, and of the context of the situation, e.g. the degree of anxiety and stress;
– demonstrate empathy with the child’s and family’s situation and promote coping and
adaptation whenever possible;
 – systematic, accurate and timely completion of nursing documentation;
 – protect the rights of children as stipulated within the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child (United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF 2000) and their rights as
patients according to their national legislation;
– promote the participation of children in all decisions affecting them, according to their age
and ability;
– empower the child’s family to share in decision-making about their child’s care and to take
responsibility for their health;

– analyse management and leadership theories and demonstrate their application in professional practice;
 – analyse professional and legal issues in children’s nursing and apply these to clinical practice.

Employment Opportunities

The pediatric nurse practitioner are highly competent to work in various clinical settings. In this light, they can create their own pediatric care practices and act as employers and / or they can be employed as pediatric nurse by health institutions at all levels. They are also competent to teach in undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants for the Master of Science (MSc) in Pediatric Nursing must have obtained their undergraduate degree in nursing science, midwifery or its equivalence, with a minimum of two years of clinical work experience.

Graduation Requirements

For successful completion a student is expected to cover a total of 138 credits with a minimum of 80% attendance at lectures and internships.

Comprehensive exam

A comprehension exam is required before the fourth semester of the program exposing the student to all the teaching units covered during the cycle. This exam is the condition for the student to complete his training. He may be given a chance to catch up.

Duration of studies:      2 years

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