The announcement by the University of Nottingham to suspend, with a view to permanently close, its Children’s nursing course is a deeply concerning development, not only for the local workforce but for the future of children’s nursing across the UK.
At a time when demand for skilled paediatric nurses continues to rise, removing one of the established pathways into the profession risks creating avoidable gaps in care, diminishing patient safety, and undermining the confidence of both current and future nurses.
Specialist branches in nursing exist for a reason. Children are not “small adults” and babies, children, and young people – particularly those with complex, chronic, or life-limiting conditions – require care that is rooted in specialist knowledge.
Children’s nurses are trained to understand paediatric anatomy and physiology, developmental stages, family-centred care, and the unique psychosocial needs of younger patients. This expertise directly protects patient safety. Without specialist routes, we risk diluting this vital skill set, leaving generalist practitioners to shoulder responsibilities they may not be adequately prepared for. That, in turn, places unnecessary stress on staff, erodes professional confidence, and increases the likelihood of burnout.
The decision also sends a harmful signal about the perceived value of children’s nursing and therefore the care of babies, children, and young people. Not protecting the specialist training required for this vital group of society sends a message that babies, children, and young people are simply not important, and their needs not prioritised. It also undermines the intellectual, ethical, and clinical complexity of nursing practice, and risks reducing a highly skilled profession into something narrower, less autonomous, and ultimately less respected through implying that advanced paediatric expertise is optional rather than essential.
This decision threatens the long-term sustainability of the children’s nursing workforce. Removing local training opportunities makes the profession less accessible to students who cannot relocate, and it exacerbates national shortages that are already impacting nurse to patient ratios, and continuity of care. Once specialist programmes disappear, they are difficult to rebuild – losing faculty expertise, practice partnerships, and placement capacity that take years to establish.
If we want a health system that is safe, resilient, and grounded in evidence-based practice, we must protect and expand specialist nursing education, not diminish it. The decision made by the University of Nottingham should serve as a rallying point for the sector. Babies, children, and young people deserve care delivered by nurses with the confidence, competence, and specialist preparation their needs demand.
Dr Katie Gallagher, Chair of the Neonatal Nurses Association
I’m Lora Alexander, one of the Quality Improvement coaches in a busy Level 3 NICU. QI is all about understanding problems, thinking of solutions, implementing ideas and analysing the results. 
My name is Adedoyin Yissau, also known as Dee. I am the Education and Workforce Lead for the London Operational Delivery Network. I came into post as a Network Educator in 2019 and have since developed nursing education region wide, with the current focus on developing a nursing career pathway for London.
Neonatal Network Nurse Educator
My name is Dr. Julia Petty, and I am a nurse lecturer specialising in children’s nursing with a particular interest in neonatal care. My nursing career in paediatric and neonatal clinical nursing practice began after a BSc Hons degree in Psychology at Warwick University, when I moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. Here, I trained in children’s and adult nursing before working there for many years in children’s and neonatal surgical care. I then gained my neonatal nursing qualification at St George’s NHS Trust London and worked at the Whittington NHS Trust NICU before moving back to Great Ormond Street for a senior education role on NICU where I worked until 2001. I then worked as Senior Lecturer at City University, London for 12 years leading the neonatal nursing education portfolio. I studied for a MSc, a PGCE and MA in academic practice during this time, In 2013, I moved to the University of Hertfordshire where my role is Associate Professor (learning and teaching) and Senior lecturer child nursing. I teach on the BSc Hons nursing and master’s degree programmes including leadership of modules, face-to-face/online teaching, assessing and supervision of students at all levels up to doctorate level. I am also research active and have completed a Doctorate in Education. As a nurse, educator and post-doctorate researcher, my interests focus on parents’ premature birth experiences, supporting parents in the transition home from NICU, exploring communication needs of neonates and their carers and studying the educational value of digital storytelling. This combination and variety of roles enriches my working life and brings together my experience as a child / neonatal nurse, educator and researcher. My role and related activities enable me to engage in both education and research while supporting students on their nursing career and education pathway, which is a privilege to be part of.
Hello my name is Claire Richards and I’m the Lead Nurse for the Wales Maternity and Neonatal Strategic Network. This covers nursing leadership but also Neonatal transport. I also have a clinical honorary contract in one Health Board.
Hello, my name is Kim Edwards, and I am a Neonatal Nurse. I am currently the Lead Nurse and Workforce, Education Lead for the Thames Valley and Wessex Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (ODN)
Hello, my name is Jean and I am a registered children’s nurse with 27 years experience. I qualified with a DipHE after struggling academically due to dyslexia. Over my career I have worked mainly in PICU, NICU and children’s cardiac critical care. I am dual qualified in speciality (QIS) for both Neonatal and Paediatrics. The QIS program is a post graduate modular course completed at level 6/7. To be considered QIS you must successfully complete 4 separate modules, each have an academic and practical component. Only on completion of the QIS course can you apply for a band 6 role. In addition to the above qualifications it is expected you would have several years proven experience in speciality at Band 6 and 7 prior to applying for a Matron’s role.
My name is Lisa Baker, I’m a Ward Manager on a Level 2 Special Care Baby Unit in South Wales and I’ve been in this role since 2020. 
Hello, my name is Wesell, and I am currently a trainee Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ANNP) at Great Western Hospital, which is a Local Neonatal Unit (LNU). Prior to this, I gained substantial experience in a tertiary neonatal unit where I completed my QIS course at master’s level. This course, alongside my role as a senior nurse, provided me with the expertise required to develop my career further in neonatal care.
My name is Hannah Wells, and I am a Neonatal Surgical Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).
Hi, I am Amanda and work as the Neonatal Infant Feeding Coordinator for a NICU and a SCBU within one service. While the role is not standardised, many neonatal units now have dedicated posts.
Hello, my name is Daniela Machado, and I am proud to be a Developmental Care Specialist/Lead Nurse and a sister/charge nurse, working across two different trusts. I am originally from Porto, Portugal, and have spent 14 years building my nursing career in the UK. My role involves applying and advancing neuroprotective/developmental care practices for our preterm and neonatal patients/families.
Hello! I am Renjita Raju , a Neonatal Junior Sister working in London. After completing my BSc nursing degree in India, I moved to UK, and completed NMC OSCE to get registered and QIS course to become specialised in neonatal care. I recently qualified as an NLS instructor with the support from NNA scholarship programme. My role involves caring for premature and critically ill newborns, ensuring their safety and health with a highly collaborative multidisciplinary team. I also teach in NLS courses as an instructor following my passion in neonatal resuscitation. I love witnessing infants grow stronger each day and supporting their families through this journey. I’m grateful for the opportunity to provide meaningful compassionate care to the tiniest, most vulnerable patients. 