Not sure if I should do Children's nursing or Adult/Child dual award at Derby uni?

I am currently accepted onto the Adult and child dual award course, which is four years. This course is 2 years adult, and then 2 years children's. My dilemma is that I am really interested in Children's nursing, I don't see myself enjoying/being as passionate about being an adult nurse as much.

The reason I am on the dual award nursing course is because I don't want to restrict myself after completing the degree. I know that child nursing doesn't offer as many opportunities as adult nursing, and when I've googled jobs online there are so many adult nursing jobs available in contrast to child nurse jobs. I'm afraid that I will end up struggling for a job after completing the degree. So I feel as though if I do the dual award I can be an adult nurse until I find a job in children's nursing.

So my question is, is it worth doing the dual award degree? Is there anyone working in paediatrics who has done this degree? Is it worth the extra year to become qualified in both fields? I would also love if anyone who has completed this degree to tell me their experience and how they are doing now? :smile:

Reply 1

L.D.S

I think it would be a good option to have a duel registration.

Reply 2

Rainbow_Lexx

Original post by lolastoney

I am currently accepted onto the Adult and child dual award course, which is four years. This course is 2 years adult, and then 2 years children's. My dilemma is that I am really interested in Children's nursing, I don't see myself enjoying/being as passionate about being an adult nurse as much.
The reason I am on the dual award nursing course is because I don't want to restrict myself after completing the degree. I know that child nursing doesn't offer as many opportunities as adult nursing, and when I've googled jobs online there are so many adult nursing jobs available in contrast to child nurse jobs. I'm afraid that I will end up struggling for a job after completing the degree. So I feel as though if I do the dual award I can be an adult nurse until I find a job in children's nursing.
So my question is, is it worth doing the dual award degree? Is there anyone working in paediatrics who has done this degree? Is it worth the extra year to become qualified in both fields? I would also love if anyone who has completed this degree to tell me their experience and how they are doing now? :smile:

Heyy, I'm a Year 13 student and I have the EXACT same dilemma, and looking for answers brought me here😂 I really hope it's going well for you so far, and I would love to find out more as the course progresses to see if it's worth it. I'm so indecisive to the point that I still haven't completed my personal statement so any advice on that would also be fab!

I do know that the required placement hours is double that for singal field reg but you do have to complete a certain amount of hours in both fields post grad so that you can renew your dual reg every 3 years.

Reply 3

Rainbow_Lexx

Also, did you apply directly to the uni using a PS catered to dual field or did you pick it as one of your 4 UCAS options and applied to the same course /single field child nursing elsewhere?

Reply 4

emiliab5653

Original post by Rainbow_Lexx

Also, did you apply directly to the uni using a PS catered to dual field or did you pick it as one of your 4 UCAS options and applied to the same course /single field child nursing elsewhere?

Hi I can add something to this depending on the University’s they want specific personal statements catered to what you’re applying for. As an example if you do one catered to both and you applied for Children’s at Leeds they wouldn’t even look at it and straight away reject it so depending on what Universities you’re looking at I’d ask around at open days as it depends on how many places a course has and how how competitive the course is!!

Reply 5

WrexhamUniReps

Official Rep

Original post by lolastoney

I am currently accepted onto the Adult and child dual award course, which is four years. This course is 2 years adult, and then 2 years children's. My dilemma is that I am really interested in Children's nursing, I don't see myself enjoying/being as passionate about being an adult nurse as much.
The reason I am on the dual award nursing course is because I don't want to restrict myself after completing the degree. I know that child nursing doesn't offer as many opportunities as adult nursing, and when I've googled jobs online there are so many adult nursing jobs available in contrast to child nurse jobs. I'm afraid that I will end up struggling for a job after completing the degree. So I feel as though if I do the dual award I can be an adult nurse until I find a job in children's nursing.
So my question is, is it worth doing the dual award degree? Is there anyone working in paediatrics who has done this degree? Is it worth the extra year to become qualified in both fields? I would also love if anyone who has completed this degree to tell me their experience and how they are doing now? :smile:

Hi,

I'm currently a 2nd year childrens nurse at Wrexham University, through my experiences so far I have found the course has been amazing.On the university side of things, you will find that you need to complete 2300 hours of both theory and placement hours respectfully. This flies by - especially on placements!

In terms of day-to-day responsibilities this will vary from each university and placement area alongside your year of practice. For example, last year I completed observations, documentation, attended with staff to A&E, and went to watch an operation in theatre. All of these have been amazing experiences and allowed for a professional relationship to be built with the patients and their families. It's amazing to be a part of a childs journey through their time in hospital or in the community.

Whilst there are emotional times I found that the universities and the local healthboards support teams have been amazing. Additionally, by having de-stresses such as arts and crafts as well as playing games I have been able to relax following stressful shifts, which hopefully you'll be able to do to!

Please see the following link for more information on applying and an in-sight into a day in the life as a childrens nurse on placement here at Wrexham University 🙂https://wrexham.ac.uk/blog/categories/student-blogs/

Feel free to ask any more questions you may have and good luck out there!

Shannon - Bsc Childrens Nurse - WrexhamUniReps 🙂