Essentials of Nursing Critically Sick Children

About the course

This course aims to introduce nurses working with critically sick children to essential knowledge and skills. An assessment of clinical skills competence in the participants clinical setting is recommended.

The course is run by the Harry Crossley Children’s Nursing Development Unit in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Cape Town.

Course Content

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Articulate their role, within the complex system and environments in which critically sick children are nursed to ensure safe and efficient care for best possible outcomes.
2. Explain the anatomical, physiological, and developmental differences across the age-span of a critically sick child and how this impacts their response to illness and the required nature of care.
3. More confidently provide safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care to critically sick children, using the Regul8 Framework as a guide.
4. Recognise and utilise the important supportive role and resource of the principal caregiver and family in the pathway of a critically sick child.

A digital certificate will be issued to participants who have completed and submitted all learning activities and assignments to an adequate standard.

Registration

Entry Requirements: Registered Nurses (Professional and Enrolled).You must be currently, either regularly or occasionally, working with sick newborns. You may work at any level of health facility; you do not need to work in a neonatal high or intensive care or neonatal specific ward.

Please note that places on the course are limited. Apply early as places are allocated on a “first come, first served” basis.

Last date for applications: Friday 26 September 2025

N.B. If offered a place, FULL payment is required within 4 weeks. Failure to make payment within this time will result in loss of your place on the course. Limited Children’s Nursing Development Unit (non-SA) bursaries available.

For more information contact cndu@uct.ac.za or visit their website.

Register Online

More Information

Essentials of Nursing Critically Sick Children