Making the children’s nursing curriculum easier to connect

Updated Nov 06, 2026

A children's nursing curriculum review can show how taught topics, preparation and practice learning connect across the programme. Start with an intended learning outcome and trace where students encounter, practise and demonstrate it.

In our 2026 NSS open-text analysis, 44 of 229 classified children's nursing comments mentioned type and breadth of course content (19.2%). The topic’s average sentiment index was +20.5. See the children's nursing evidence brief and definitions of the measures.

Make progression visible

Map the relevant modules and activities in order. Explain what each stage adds and which earlier learning it assumes. Ask students where a connection became clear and where they needed more guidance.

Review the map with the academic and practice teams responsible for the programme's approved outcomes and professional requirements. Keep decisions about those requirements within the established process.

Connect preparation with practice learning

Read the preparation information beside the placement or practical activity. Check terminology, contacts and expected tasks for consistency. Identify who resolves a discrepancy between university and practice instructions.

Make the purpose of simulation, case discussion or another preparatory activity explicit within the learning sequence.

Check access to the required material

Confirm when resources become available and how students use them away from campus. Assign responsibility for current versions and links. The companion children's nursing resources review covers the student access journey.

Read assessment instructions with the relevant teaching materials. Explain how students will receive feedback and which next activity it can inform.

Use feedback to choose the response

Sort student examples into missing connections, repeated content, access problems and unclear assessment expectations. Discuss each with the team able to act, then record the decision and follow-up point.

The assessment pathway supports review of the task and criteria. Use the student-partnership pathway to explain students' role in considering curriculum changes.