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It’s a well-stated opinion that you should “never work with animals or children”, but for many, working with young people is their dream job. If you’ve an interest in healthcare and medicine, and you’re passionate about children, then a children’s nursing degree may be perfect for you.
Of course, if you’re interested in this particular subject and want to see which careers you can pursue upon graduation, then there are a number of options...
1. Paediatric nurse
What you'll do... Paediatric nurses are responsible for a child’s medical requirements and work alongside their family and other healthcare professionals to ensure these needs are met. Paediatric nurses work in a number of different environments such as specialist paediatric wards, doctor’s surgeries, schools and within a community setting.
How it uses your degree... This is the job your degree was designed for and you'll use everything you learnt during your degree every day.
Why you'll love it... Because there is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a child who is sick and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing them fit, healthy and being cheeky again!
How much you might earn... Children's nurses pay usually comes in at Band 5. Pay in Band 5 starts at £28,407 and goes up to £34,581. But with experience you might be able to move up a band or two.
2. Social worker
What you'll do... Social workers take responsibility for supporting struggling families and ensure that children are well-cared for, and in some instances removing young people from potentially dangerous environments.
How it uses your degree... As part of your degree you'll not only learn about how to work with young people, but also gain an understanding of what children need in order to thrive physically and mentally.
Why you'll love it... Because you'll be making the lives of the most vulnerable children better and you'll be protecting them from harm.
How much you might earn... Social workers working for the NHS usually start on Band 6 of the NHS pay scale. Salaries in this band start at £35,392 and go up to £42,618.
3. Child psychologist/counsellor
What you'll do... Counsellors work in a confidential setting and aim to help young people -– often in difficult circumstances – make their own choices, allowing them to see things from fresh perspectives. Counselling services for young people are often provided through the NHS and children’s charities, although in some instances a counsellor may be attached to a local school.
How it uses your degree... During your degree you'll have learnt how to build relationships with young people and how to earn their trust. This is vital in such intimate situations as counselling sessions.
Why you'll love it... Not only will you be helping students get over their mental health issues, which is highly rewarding - you'll gain a fascinating insight into what makes people behave and think the way they do.
How much you might earn... According to PayScale, the average UK salary is £39,304, but you can expect to earn lower than this when you first start, and work up to it with experience.
4. Midwife
What you'll do... As well as delivering babies, midwifes also act in a pastoral capacity, ensuring the mother remains healthy throughout the pregnancy as well as supporting the family unit and taking responsibility for the baby’s health after birth.
How it uses your degree... It'll use both your medical knowledge and your skills in building relationships with people.
Why you'll love it... Having a baby is such a monumental life event for a woman (and her partner) and you'll get to play such a big role in that - which is highly rewarding.
How much you might earn... Midwives salaries are usually Band 5 on the NHS Payscale. Pay in Band 5 starts at £28,407 and goes up to £34,581.
5. Paramedic
What you'll do... You'll be on the frontline of accident and emergency care, providing immediate treatment to patients 'out in the field', so to speak. You'll also work closely with doctors and nurses upon arrival to hospital so that the patient gets the best care.
How it uses your degree... You'll use the medical knowledge you built up during your degree to perform actions such as administering drugs and monitoring and assessing a patients condition.
Why you'll love it... This is a fast-paced, exciting role where no two days - or even two hours - will be the same.
How much you might earn... Paramedic salaries are usually Band 5 on the NHS Payscale, starting at £28,407 and goes up to £34,581.
Next step:
- Search for a children's nursing degree course
