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School of Nursing & Midwifery

4 Year Nursing Degree Programme (BSc Cur) Children's/General Integrated Degree Programme

NU4C05 The Adolescent and their Family / The Healthy Child (5 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of this module the student should be able to:

  • Identify and discuss the unique needs of adolescents in hospital and the community, and demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the relationship issues relating to this phase of the lifespan
  • Identify and discuss the relevant aspects of nursing assessment of persons with a disability and discuss the relevant aspects of individualized care planning and evaluation for persons with an enduring illness or disability
  • Discuss the principles of caring for a child with a disability and outline the range of services available for children in Ireland.
  • Identify and understand the importance the specialist care required by the critically ill child
  • Identify child abuse in its various forms, show understanding of the children’s nurses role and responsibilities in relation to both child abuse and protection in Ireland.

Module Learning Aims

The aim of this module is to examine a range of current issues relating to the care of adolescents and
related health problems in the adolescents phase of the lifespan.

The module will also explore the care required in relation to child protection issues, critical illness and
childhood disability issues.

  • Unit 1: Caring for adolescents
  • Unit 2: The critically ill child
  • Unit 3: Child protection
  • Unit 4: Childhood disability

Recommended Reading List

Essential Reading

  • Ball N, & Bindler R. (2008) Pediatric Nursing. Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey. Coleman J. & Hagell A. (2007) Adolescence, Risk and Resilience; Against the Odds. Wiley,
  • London.Coleman J., Hendry, L. B. and Kloep, M. (Eds) (2007) Adolescence and health. Wiley: Chichester.
  • Coleman V., Smith L. & Bradshaw M. (eds.) (2007) Children’s and Young Peoples Nursing in Practice; A Problem Based Learning Approach. Palgrave Macmillan, New York.
  • Corby B. (2006) Child Abuse Towards a Knowledge Base, 3rd Ed. Open University Press, New York.
  • Coyne I., Neill F. & Timmins F. (2010) Clinical Skills for Children’s Nursing. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  • Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2011) Children First; National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children.Goverment publications; Dublin.
  • Foley P., Roche J. & Tucker S. (2000) Children in Society: Contemporary Theory, Policy and Practice. Palgrave Macmillan, London.
  • Freake, H., Barley, V. and Kent, G. (2006) Adolescent’s views of helping professionals: A review of the literature. Journal of Adolescence 30,639-653.
  • Hester M., Preston C. & Harwin N. (2007) Making an Impact: Children and Domestic Violence, 2nd Edn. Jessica Kingsley, London.
  • H.S.E (2011) Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook.H.S.E. ; Kildare.
  • Hollyoak D. (2002) Discussing Child and Adolescent Nursing. APS Publishing, London.
  • Kilkelly U. & Donnelly M. (2006) The Child’s Right to be heard in the Healthcare Setting: Perspectives of Children, Parents and Health Professionals. The Stationery Office, Dublin.

* Additional readings will be given for each unit of learning.