Adult Nursing or Children’s Nursing

What is it about adult nursing that is now so appealing?
You can do adult nursing and then later go into children's nursing, but the other way around is quite difficult.
I would encourage every prospective student nurse to go with the field they genuinely want to go into - you're not going to do very well in a field you don't want to do, or care for a particular group when you're not that interested.
If it's children's nursing you're really interested in, please do that.
There are definitely opportunities within children's nursing, although some of them are more centralised to specialist children's hospitals (Alder Hey, GOSH, places like that) rather than at general hospitals but the opportunities are definitely there.

Reply 2

OP

I heard that there are more opportunities with adult nursing and the offers I received for adult nursing is close to where I live which means I get a bursary. Whereas the children’s offer is in Dundee and I don’t get a bursary I would have to go through student finance and may still have to work (which I don’t mind with it’s just the debt at the end). However, it is a children’s nursing degree and that’s what I wanted at beginning.

I really do think that my opinion has changed solely because I actually received adult offers when I didn’t think I would be capable of getting any offers in the first place.

Reply 3

Emily_B

There are more adults in the world than children, therefore more adults requiring healthcare, therefore more adult nurses than children's nurses. This makes it no more difficult to progress within adult nursing field than children's - there is just a wider scope of practice. However, you won't progress or be able to make use of any opportunities in a field you're not interested in.
The cost of paying back student loan currently works out at about £70 a month - I'm a nurse and can promise you financially it's nothing to worry about, what I get after deductions is more than enough. Besides, student loan gets wiped off after so long if you don't pay it back anyway... and it doesn't affect credit score etc.

If it's children's nursing you really want to do, please do it. You're unlikely to get any benefit from doing adult nursing when you're not as interested.

Reply 4

OP

Original post by Emily_B

There are more adults in the world than children, therefore more adults requiring healthcare, therefore more adult nurses than children's nurses. This makes it no more difficult to progress within adult nursing field than children's - there is just a wider scope of practice. However, you won't progress or be able to make use of any opportunities in a field you're not interested in.
The cost of paying back student loan currently works out at about £70 a month - I'm a nurse and can promise you financially it's nothing to worry about, what I get after deductions is more than enough. Besides, student loan gets wiped off after so long if you don't pay it back anyway... and it doesn't affect credit score etc.

If it's children's nursing you really want to do, please do it. You're unlikely to get any benefit from doing adult nursing when you're not as interested.

Honestly can’t thank you enough. Think I’ll go with my heart and do children’s nursing. Was just really scared about the financial side of things but I have looked more into it and I can do it for sure away from home. Thank you for your help!

Reply 5

RG250

Original post by K3lly_C

Hiya, I have offers for both Children and Adult Nursing in September 2021. I applied initially to do Children’s Nursing, however since I have received adult offers (incase I didn’t get into children’s) I am now considering adults. Can anyone give me any advice on which course would be better or anything regarding this topic please?!

I'm currently doing this course right now!! Although I choose childcare cause I love children but I guess both could be good! I'm glad I picked childcare though

Reply 6

OP

Original post by RG250

I'm currently doing this course right now!! Although I choose childcare cause I love children but I guess both could be good! I'm glad I picked childcare though

That’s Brilliant!! How you finding it at the minute especially with everything going on??

Reply 7

Emily_B

Original post by K3lly_C

Honestly can’t thank you enough. Think I’ll go with my heart and do children’s nursing. Was just really scared about the financial side of things but I have looked more into it and I can do it for sure away from home. Thank you for your help!

You're welcome!
I'd recommend looking into bank HCA roles to get part time work that fits around your studies to help with funding - I tended to do at least a half day a week during theory time & sometimes more depending on what else was going on with uni, just to keep a bit of extra money coming in.

Reply 8

RG250

Original post by K3lly_C

That’s Brilliant!! How you finding it at the minute especially with everything going on??

To be honest not much has changed at work! You just have to social distance and wear masks when talking to the parents other than that it's been quite normal but I'm enjoying it :smile:

the kids keep me going!

Reply 9

OP