Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Paediatrics

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Paediatrics is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in nursing paediatrics. The programme falls under the Health Sciences category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Paediatric Nursing Fundamentals and Nursing Process, Growth and Development, Paediatric Assessment and Physical Examination, Common Childhood Illnesses and Paediatric Diseases, Neonatal Nursing and NICU Care, Paediatric Nutrition and Malnutrition Management. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Paediatric Nutrition and Malnutrition Management, Growth and Development, Paediatric Nursing Fundamentals and Nursing Process, Child Protection and Safeguarding, Common Childhood Illnesses and Paediatric Diseases. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Neonatal Nursing, Child Health and Community Paediatrics, Paediatric Critical Care Nursing. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Paediatrics pursue careers as School Health Nurse, Paediatric Nurse / Child Health Nurse, Neonatal Nurse / NICU Nurse, Paediatric Nursing Educator / Lecturer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 364,000
Private, up to: Ksh 318,900
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 12 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Paediatric Nursing Fundamentals and Nursing Process
Growth and Development
Paediatric Assessment and Physical Examination
Common Childhood Illnesses and Paediatric Diseases
Neonatal Nursing and NICU Care
Paediatric Nutrition and Malnutrition Management
Paediatric Pharmacology and Medication Administration
Immunisation and School Health
Child Protection and Safeguarding
Research Methods and Evidence-Based Paediatric Nursing

Modules

10 in the programme

Paediatric Nursing Fundamentals and Nursing Process
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Paediatric nursing fundamentals, nursing theory, nursing process, assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, nursing documentation, family-centred care, therapeutic communication ...
Growth and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Growth and development, paediatric growth monitoring, developmental milestones, child development theories, Erikson, Piaget, Kohlberg, developmental assessment, DDST, and supporting growth and deve...
Paediatric Assessment and Physical Examination
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Paediatric assessment, paediatric history taking, physical examination, paediatric vital signs, temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure, pain assessment, paediatric pain scales, FLACC,...
Common Childhood Illnesses and Paediatric Diseases
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Common childhood illnesses, respiratory infections, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, asthma, gastrointestinal infections, diarrhoea, dehydration, ORS, malaria, measles, HIV in children, TB in children, an...
Neonatal Nursing and NICU Care
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Neonatal nursing, neonatal assessment, Apgar score, newborn examination, neonatal jaundice, phototherapy, neonatal sepsis, neonatal resuscitation, NRP, kangaroo mother care, KMC, NICU nursing, and ...
Paediatric Nutrition and Malnutrition Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Paediatric nutrition, breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, weaning foods, infant nutrition, child nutrition, malnutrition, PEM, marasmus, kwashiorkor, stunting, wasting, m...
Paediatric Pharmacology and Medication Administration
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Paediatric pharmacology, drug calculations, paediatric dosing, medication administration, paediatric medication safety, side effects, drug interactions, and supporting paediatric pharmacology.
Immunisation and School Health
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Immunisation, EPI, BCG, OPV, pentavalent, PCV, rotavirus, measles-rubella, vitamin A supplementation, deworming, school health, school health services, adolescent health, and supporting immunisatio...
Child Protection and Safeguarding
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Child protection, safeguarding, child abuse, child maltreatment, Kenya Children Act, child rights, mandatory reporting, child protection services, and supporting child protection and safeguarding.
Research Methods, Evidence-Based Paediatric Nursing and Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methods, biostatistics, research ethics, NACOSTI, scientific writing, KNMC regulations, evidence-based paediatric nursing, independent research project, and supporting research methods and...

Specialisations

Neonatal Nursing
Focuses on neonatal care, neonatal assessment, neonatal jaundice, neonatal sepsis, NRP, and NICU nursing.
Child Health and Community Paediatrics
Concentrates on community child health, school health, immunisation, nutrition, and child health promotion.
Paediatric Critical Care Nursing
Specialises in PICU nursing, critical care for children, paediatric trauma, and paediatric emergency care.
Paediatric Oncology Nursing
Focuses on childhood cancers, paediatric oncology, chemotherapy administration, and palliative care for children.
Child Protection and Safeguarding
Focuses on child protection, safeguarding, child abuse identification, and child protection services.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with morning lectures on paediatric nursing fundamentals, growth and development, or common childhood illnesses, followed by laboratory practicals, clinical rotations, or paediatric practicum at affiliated hospitals. Students conduct paediatric assessments, monitor growth and development, administer paediatric medications, provide child health education, support breastfeeding, manage childhood illnesses, and work on their research project. Clinical rotations at Mbagathi Hospital, KNH, MTRH, county hospitals, and health centres provide hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — child mortality and malnutrition challenges create strong demand for qualified paediatric nurses.
Direct impact — paediatric nurses directly save children's lives, support child development, and improve child health outcomes.
Diverse settings — graduates work at hospitals, NICU, PICU, schools, community health facilities, NGOs, and child protection services.

Against it

Emotional demands — working with sick children, child mortality, and child abuse can be emotionally challenging.
Specialised skills — paediatric nursing requires specialised knowledge of child development, paediatric pharmacology, and child-specific care.
Shift work — NICU and PICU nurses work night shifts, weekends, and on-call rotations for 24-hour child care.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public275k to 364k

275k at Kenyatta University364k at University of Nairobi

Private188k to 319k

188k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa319k at Mount Kenya University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

BScN track; base fees apply. KU 275,400; UoN 364,000. CUEA 188,200; MKU 318,900 KUCCPS.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans and KUCCPS placement. County bursaries, UNICEF sponsorships, and international paediatric nursing scholarships are available.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
KUCCPS Placement
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
PlacementKsh 0Kenyan
Kenyan students placed to public universities through KUCCPS receive government-subsidised tuition.
UNICEF Sponsorships
ScholarshipKsh 150,000
UNICEF may sponsor paediatric nursing students and child health workers.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Varies by county.
AMREF International University Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Health sciences students demonstrating financial need
Ministry of Health Kenya Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Healthcare workers sponsored by national or county governments

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Nursing, Paediatrics, or related fields from recognised institutions may be considered for upgrading. Relevant nursing or childcare experience is advantageous.

Biology or Biological Sciences
C+
Chemistry
C+
English or Kiswahili
C
Mathematics or Physics
C

How you are assessed

5 components

End of Semester Written Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations covering paediatric nursing fundamentals, growth and development, childhood illnesses, neonatal care, and immunisation.
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Cat20% of the mark
Assignments, tests, presentations, case studies, and paediatric nursing care plans throughout each semester.
Paediatric Nursing Practical Examinations
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of paediatric nursing competencies including paediatric assessment, growth monitoring, medication administration, and child care skills.
Clinical Rotation Assessment
Clinical10% of the mark
Assessment of clinical rotations at paediatric hospitals including patient care, documentation, and supervision evaluation.
Research Project
Research10% of the mark
Independent paediatric nursing research project, assessed through written report and presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Nursing and Midwifery Council (KNMC). Graduates must register with KNMC to practise. The Nursing Act governs nursing practice. The Kenya Children Act 2022 governs child protection.

Accredited by

Kenya Nursing and Midwifery Council
ProfessionalRequired
KNMC accredits nursing programmes, regulates nursing practice, and registers nurses. Graduates must register with KNMC to practise.
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

School Health Nurse
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 150,000
Provides school health services, immunisation, health education, and child health screening at schools.
Paediatric Nurse / Child Health Nurse
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 160,000
Provides specialised paediatric nursing care, manages childhood illnesses, supports child development, and administers paediatric medications at hospitals, health centres, or clinics registered with KNMC.
Neonatal Nurse / NICU Nurse
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 170,000
Provides neonatal care, manages neonatal complications, conducts neonatal resuscitation, and supports neonatal intensive care at NICU units in referral hospitals.
Paediatric Nursing Educator / Lecturer
Low demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 170,000
Teaches paediatric nursing at universities or nursing colleges, conducts research, and supervises student clinical rotations.
Paediatric ICU Nurse / PICU Nurse
Medium demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides critical care for critically ill children in PICU settings at referral hospitals.
Child Protection Nurse
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 160,000
Provides child protection services, identifies child abuse, supports safeguarding, and works with child protection services at hospitals or county governments.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as paediatric nurses and child health nurses. Paediatric nursing is in high demand driven by child health needs. Salaries range from KES 75,000 to 170,000 per month. Ministry of Health, county hospitals, paediatric hospitals, and NGOs offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Stethoscope
Medical equipmentPrimary
Primary diagnostic tool.
KenyaEMR
Health is
Electronic medical records.
Surgical Instruments
Medical equipmentPrimary
Surgical tools and equipment.
Laparoscopic Equipment
Medical equipment
Minimally invasive surgery systems.
PACS
Imaging systemPrimary
Picture Archiving and Communication System.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Paediatric nursing is just about looking after babies.
Paediatric nursing covers neonatal care, child health from birth to adolescence, paediatric diseases, developmental disorders, child protection, and family-centred care across all paediatric age groups.
Paediatric nurses only work in hospitals.
Paediatric nurses work at hospitals, paediatric wards, NICU, PICU, health centres, community health facilities, schools, NGOs, and child protection services.
There are limited career opportunities for paediatric nurses in Kenya.
Kenya's child mortality and malnutrition challenges create demand for paediatric nurses at hospitals, county governments, UNICEF, Save the Children, and other child-focused organisations.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.