Pediatric Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Bachelor
L/SNT1 - Nursing and midwifery
The Bachelor's degree programme in Pediatric Nursing (degree class L/SNT1 - Nursing and midwifery) has a three-year duration.
The programme is worth 180 university credits (CFU/ECTS) and aims to train students to become fully-fledged pediatric nurses, by providing them with the required technical and scientific knowledge.
The study plan complies with the learning standards established by European Union legislation for the nursing profession, and includes both theoretical and practical classes as well as clinical training. Indeed, clinical training is a critical part of the study programme: internships are coordinated by top professors in the field, and student interns are supervised by professional tutors for the duration of their placement.
The Bachelor?s degree programme in Pediatric Nursing of the University of Milan has been recognised by the Italian National Committee for UNICEF as a breastfeeding-friendly university programme (Corso di Laurea Amico dell'Allattamento) for the period 2017-2020.
In compliance with the EU standards mentioned above, graduates in Pediatric Nursing are expected to acquire the following knowledge and skills:
- the scientific, theoretical and practical knowledge needed to practise as a nurse, as provided for by EU Directives 89/48/EEC and 2005/36/EC;
- a solid grounding in core subjects, encompassing biological and hereditary phenomena, the functioning of organs and apparatuses, and psychological, social and environmental factors, with a view to applying this knowledge on the job;
- professional autonomy in providing all-round (i.e. technical, relational and educational) nursing care to pediatric patients, and in a variety of settings (preventive and palliative care, rehabilitation, protection of individual and collective health), in compliance with the laws governing the nursing profession and the relevant code of ethics;
- methodological skills for developing goal-based care plans, by applying the nursing process to pediatric patients;
- knowledge of the fundamentals of nursing, the conceptual models of nursing care, the evolution of the nursing profession and the related bioethical, deontological and medico-legal principles;
- the ability to contribute, within the limits of their own role, to identifying and meeting the health needs of pediatric patients (i.e. newborns, children and adolescents) in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care settings, by adopting tailored measures to support patients and their families, and by collaborating with other social and healthcare workers;
- the ability to interact with young patients and their family members in a way that is appropriate to their age and takes into account their status, as well as their cultural, religious and ethnic background;
- knowledge, skills and experience to be able to ensure the correct administration of prescribed treatments and medications;
- knowledge of nursing research methodologies, the organisation of nursing services, and professional liability issues;
- the ability to immediately intervene in the case of clinical emergencies, by providing the necessary first-aid measures within the limits of their own role, in order to ensure survival and the best possible assistance;
- knowledge of the main actions to be taken in the event of a catastrophe;
- the ability to take ownership of their own professional development through lifelong learning;
- the ability to avail themselves of the collaboration of support staff, if necessary, and to participate in their training;
- proficiency in one language of the European Union besides Italian.
Graduates in Pediatric Nursing are also expected to have knowledge of the following:
- the fundamental notions needed to identify the physical, psychological and socio-cultural needs of pediatric patients in terms of nursing care (in both straightforward and complex situations), to define nursing goals, and to implement and evaluate evidence-based pediatric nursing interventions, by applying the nursing process and its conceptual models;
- the fundamental notions needed to develop an integrated care approach that takes into account the patient's age group, values and cultural and religious background, and critically evaluates the clinical, relational, educational, social and ethical aspects of pediatric nursing in prevention, assistance, rehabilitation and palliative care settings, with a view to restoring the patient's wellbeing, to the extent possible;
- the theoretical and methodological basics of physics, statistics and computer science, as necessary to identify, understand and interpret biomedical phenomena;
- the fundamentals of biological organisation and the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of life processes and their metabolic correlates;
- the structural organisation of the human body and the mechanisms that govern embryonic development and organ differentiation;
- the main morphological features of human systems, apparatuses, organs, tissues, cells and subcellular structures, as well as their morpho-functional correlates;
- the different human organs and how they form dynamically functioning systems or apparatuses, as well as the general mechanisms that control bodily functions in physiological conditions;
- the dynamics of individual and group behaviour, and the basic principles of behavioural analysis in children;
- the causes of diseases in childhood and the main pathogenetic and pathophysiological mechanisms;
- the most common diseases in childhood (considered in the broader context of human pathology) and the related medical, surgical and pharmaceutical treatment options;
- the main diagnostic methods in pediatrics, the provisions on radiation protection and the use of radiations laid down by EU directives (Italian Legislative Decree no. 187 of 26 May 2000), and the guiding principles for using biomedical technologies;
- rules and principles concerning hospital hygiene and infection prevention and control in hospital and community settings;
- tools and methodologies for reviewing and assessing the quality of care.
The programme is worth 180 university credits (CFU/ECTS) and aims to train students to become fully-fledged pediatric nurses, by providing them with the required technical and scientific knowledge.
The study plan complies with the learning standards established by European Union legislation for the nursing profession, and includes both theoretical and practical classes as well as clinical training. Indeed, clinical training is a critical part of the study programme: internships are coordinated by top professors in the field, and student interns are supervised by professional tutors for the duration of their placement.
The Bachelor?s degree programme in Pediatric Nursing of the University of Milan has been recognised by the Italian National Committee for UNICEF as a breastfeeding-friendly university programme (Corso di Laurea Amico dell'Allattamento) for the period 2017-2020.
In compliance with the EU standards mentioned above, graduates in Pediatric Nursing are expected to acquire the following knowledge and skills:
- the scientific, theoretical and practical knowledge needed to practise as a nurse, as provided for by EU Directives 89/48/EEC and 2005/36/EC;
- a solid grounding in core subjects, encompassing biological and hereditary phenomena, the functioning of organs and apparatuses, and psychological, social and environmental factors, with a view to applying this knowledge on the job;
- professional autonomy in providing all-round (i.e. technical, relational and educational) nursing care to pediatric patients, and in a variety of settings (preventive and palliative care, rehabilitation, protection of individual and collective health), in compliance with the laws governing the nursing profession and the relevant code of ethics;
- methodological skills for developing goal-based care plans, by applying the nursing process to pediatric patients;
- knowledge of the fundamentals of nursing, the conceptual models of nursing care, the evolution of the nursing profession and the related bioethical, deontological and medico-legal principles;
- the ability to contribute, within the limits of their own role, to identifying and meeting the health needs of pediatric patients (i.e. newborns, children and adolescents) in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care settings, by adopting tailored measures to support patients and their families, and by collaborating with other social and healthcare workers;
- the ability to interact with young patients and their family members in a way that is appropriate to their age and takes into account their status, as well as their cultural, religious and ethnic background;
- knowledge, skills and experience to be able to ensure the correct administration of prescribed treatments and medications;
- knowledge of nursing research methodologies, the organisation of nursing services, and professional liability issues;
- the ability to immediately intervene in the case of clinical emergencies, by providing the necessary first-aid measures within the limits of their own role, in order to ensure survival and the best possible assistance;
- knowledge of the main actions to be taken in the event of a catastrophe;
- the ability to take ownership of their own professional development through lifelong learning;
- the ability to avail themselves of the collaboration of support staff, if necessary, and to participate in their training;
- proficiency in one language of the European Union besides Italian.
Graduates in Pediatric Nursing are also expected to have knowledge of the following:
- the fundamental notions needed to identify the physical, psychological and socio-cultural needs of pediatric patients in terms of nursing care (in both straightforward and complex situations), to define nursing goals, and to implement and evaluate evidence-based pediatric nursing interventions, by applying the nursing process and its conceptual models;
- the fundamental notions needed to develop an integrated care approach that takes into account the patient's age group, values and cultural and religious background, and critically evaluates the clinical, relational, educational, social and ethical aspects of pediatric nursing in prevention, assistance, rehabilitation and palliative care settings, with a view to restoring the patient's wellbeing, to the extent possible;
- the theoretical and methodological basics of physics, statistics and computer science, as necessary to identify, understand and interpret biomedical phenomena;
- the fundamentals of biological organisation and the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of life processes and their metabolic correlates;
- the structural organisation of the human body and the mechanisms that govern embryonic development and organ differentiation;
- the main morphological features of human systems, apparatuses, organs, tissues, cells and subcellular structures, as well as their morpho-functional correlates;
- the different human organs and how they form dynamically functioning systems or apparatuses, as well as the general mechanisms that control bodily functions in physiological conditions;
- the dynamics of individual and group behaviour, and the basic principles of behavioural analysis in children;
- the causes of diseases in childhood and the main pathogenetic and pathophysiological mechanisms;
- the most common diseases in childhood (considered in the broader context of human pathology) and the related medical, surgical and pharmaceutical treatment options;
- the main diagnostic methods in pediatrics, the provisions on radiation protection and the use of radiations laid down by EU directives (Italian Legislative Decree no. 187 of 26 May 2000), and the guiding principles for using biomedical technologies;
- rules and principles concerning hospital hygiene and infection prevention and control in hospital and community settings;
- tools and methodologies for reviewing and assessing the quality of care.
Pediatric nurses are healthcare professionals responsible for providing all-round (i.e. technical, relational and educational) nursing care to pediatric patients in prevention, treatment, palliative care and rehabilitation settings. Therefore, their main functions are disease prevention, caring for sick children and children with disabilities, and health education.
In particular, pediatric nurses:
- contribute to identifying the physical and mental health needs of newborns, children and adolescents, and their families;
- identify the needs of pediatric patients in terms of nursing care and define the relevant goals;
- plan, conduct and assess pediatric nursing care interventions;
- participate in health education initiatives for families and the community, as well as in health promotion and injury/illness prevention programmes intended for healthy children; provide nursing care to newborns and patients under 18 years of age suffering from acute and chronic diseases, in outpatient and inpatient settings as well as at the patient?s home; take part in illness prevention as well as healthcare and social assistance programmes addressed to adolescents;
- ensure the correct administration of prescribed treatments and medications;
- work both independently and in collaboration with social and healthcare workers, and avail themselves of the help of support staff, if necessary.
Graduates holding this Bachelor?s degree are legally qualified to practise as pediatric nurses in public or private healthcare facilities as well as at the patient?s home, whether as employees or independent professionals.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
In particular, pediatric nurses:
- contribute to identifying the physical and mental health needs of newborns, children and adolescents, and their families;
- identify the needs of pediatric patients in terms of nursing care and define the relevant goals;
- plan, conduct and assess pediatric nursing care interventions;
- participate in health education initiatives for families and the community, as well as in health promotion and injury/illness prevention programmes intended for healthy children; provide nursing care to newborns and patients under 18 years of age suffering from acute and chronic diseases, in outpatient and inpatient settings as well as at the patient?s home; take part in illness prevention as well as healthcare and social assistance programmes addressed to adolescents;
- ensure the correct administration of prescribed treatments and medications;
- work both independently and in collaboration with social and healthcare workers, and avail themselves of the help of support staff, if necessary.
Graduates holding this Bachelor?s degree are legally qualified to practise as pediatric nurses in public or private healthcare facilities as well as at the patient?s home, whether as employees or independent professionals.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Attendance of all coursework, and all internship activities, is mandatory.
Enrolment
To be admitted into the degree programme, a candidate must have an Italian secondary-school diploma or similar diploma obtained overseas and deemed equivalent.
Admission into the programme is capped, at a national level, pursuant to Law no. 264 of 2 August 1999.
The number of students who may be admitted is set each year pursuant to a decree of the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), based on findings provided by the university in terms of available instructional, classroom, and clinical resources (human and otherwise), as well as the demand for the type of professionals contemplated for this Class as determined by the Region of Lombardy, and the Ministry of Health.
The admission test will be administered as a national exam, generally in the month of September. The date will be set pursuant to a decree of MUR.
Additional learning requirements (OFA)
Students who answered less than 50% of the Biology and Chemistry questions on the admission test will be required to finish a set of additional learning requirements (OFA). These prerequisites may be met through specifically assigned remedial work. Any failure to complete the OFA will make it impossible for the student to sit the exam in: General Science.
Timely notice of the various courses will be posted to: https://infermieristicapediatrica.cdl.unimi.it/it
Admission into the programme is capped, at a national level, pursuant to Law no. 264 of 2 August 1999.
The number of students who may be admitted is set each year pursuant to a decree of the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), based on findings provided by the university in terms of available instructional, classroom, and clinical resources (human and otherwise), as well as the demand for the type of professionals contemplated for this Class as determined by the Region of Lombardy, and the Ministry of Health.
The admission test will be administered as a national exam, generally in the month of September. The date will be set pursuant to a decree of MUR.
Additional learning requirements (OFA)
Students who answered less than 50% of the Biology and Chemistry questions on the admission test will be required to finish a set of additional learning requirements (OFA). These prerequisites may be met through specifically assigned remedial work. Any failure to complete the OFA will make it impossible for the student to sit the exam in: General Science.
Timely notice of the various courses will be posted to: https://infermieristicapediatrica.cdl.unimi.it/it
Call for applications
The call for applications is being finalized. Please refer to the call, once it is available, for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.
Application for admission: application deadlines will be published shortly.
The call for applications is being finalized
Online services
Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
year
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Human Anatomy E Physiology | 5 | 75 | Italian | BIO/09 BIO/16 BIO/17 |
| - Histology | 1 | |||
| - Human anatomy | 2 | |||
| - Physiology | 2 | |||
| Placement Year 1 | 18 | 540 | Italian | MED/45 |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Basic Sciences | 4 | 60 | Italian | BIO/10 BIO/13 FIS/07 |
| - Applied physics | 1 | |||
| - Biochemistry | 1 | |||
| - Experimental biology | 2 | |||
| Nursing Sciences and Human and Pedagogical Sciences | 7 | 105 | Italian | M-PED/01 M-PSI/01 M-PSI/04 MED/45 |
| - Developmental and educational psychology | 1 | |||
| - General psychology | 1 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 4 | |||
| - Theories and science of education and social education | 1 | |||
| Prevention and Health Services | 4 | 60 | Italian | MED/42 MED/44 MED/45 |
| - Hygiene and public health | 2 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 1 | |||
| - Occupational medicine | 1 | |||
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| General Pathology and Diagnostics | 5 | 75 | Italian | BIO/12 MED/04 MED/07 MED/36 |
| - Clinical biochemistry and molecular biology | 1 | |||
| - Diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy | 1 | |||
| - Experimental medicine and pathophysiology | 2 | |||
| - Microbiology and clinical microbiology | 1 | |||
| Maternal and Infant Care Basics | 7 | 105 | Italian | MED/38 MED/40 MED/45 MED/47 MED/49 |
| - Food sciences and dietetics | 1 | |||
| - General and subspecialty paediatrics | 1 | |||
| - Lab 1 | 1 | |||
| - Midwifery | 1 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 2 | |||
| - Obstetrics and gynaecology | 1 | |||
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| English Assessment B1 (2 ECTS) | 2 | 0 | English | |
Study plan rules
Elettivi - Lo studente, al primo anno, deve altresì maturare 2 CFU in attività formative a scelta.
year
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Placement Year 2 | 25 | 750 | Italian | MED/45 |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Neonatology 1 | 8 | 120 | Italian | MED/20 MED/34 MED/38 MED/45 |
| - General and subspecialty paediatrics | 3 | |||
| - Lab 2 | 1 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 2 | |||
| - Paediatric surgery | 1 | |||
| - Physical and rehabilitation medicine | 1 | |||
| Pediatric Sciences 1 | 5 | 75 | Italian | MED/30 MED/35 MED/38 MED/39 |
| - Child neuropsychiatry | 1 | |||
| - Dermatological and venerological diseases | 1 | |||
| - Eye diseases | 1 | |||
| - General and subspecialty paediatrics | 2 | |||
| Pharmacology and Anaesthesiology | 6 | 90 | Italian | BIO/14 MED/41 MED/45 |
| - Anaesthesiology | 1 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 3 | |||
| - Pharmacology | 2 | |||
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Pediatric Sciences 2 | 5 | 75 | Italian | MED/38 MED/45 |
| - General and subspecialty paediatrics | 1 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 4 | |||
| Pediatric Surgical Sciences | 6 | 90 | Italian | MED/20 MED/33 MED/45 |
| - Musculoskeletal system diseases | 1 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 4 | |||
| - Paediatric surgery | 1 | |||
Study plan rules
Elettivi - Lo studente, al secondo anno, deve altresì maturare 2 CFU in attività formative a scelta.
year
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Educational Placements | 6 | 108 | Italian | |
| Placement Year 3 | 28 | 840 | Italian | MED/45 |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Clinical Nursing and Research | 7 | 105 | Italian | INF/01 MED/01 MED/42 MED/45 |
| - Hygiene and public health | 1 | |||
| - Informatics | 2 | |||
| - Medical statistics | 2 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 2 | |||
| Neonatology 2 | 5 | 75 | Italian | M-PSI/01 MED/38 MED/45 |
| - General and subspecialty paediatrics | 2 | |||
| - General psychology | 1 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 2 | |||
| Pediatric Sciences 3 | 4 | 60 | Italian | MED/38 MED/45 |
| - General and subspecialty paediatrics | 2 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 2 | |||
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care | 6 | 90 | Italian | MED/20 MED/38 MED/41 MED/45 |
| - Anaesthesiology | 1 | |||
| - General and subspecialty paediatrics | 1 | |||
| - Lab 3 | 1 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 2 | |||
| - Paediatric surgery | 1 | |||
| Professional Responsability and Organization of Nursing | 4 | 60 | Italian | MED/43 MED/45 |
| - Forensic medicine | 1 | |||
| - Nursing sciences: general, clinical and paediatric | 3 | |||
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Final Examination | 7 | 0 | Italian | |
Study plan rules
Elettivi - Lo studente, al terzo anno, deve altresì maturare 2 CFU in attività formative a scelta.
Learn more
Location
Milano
Course locations
The educational programming for the Degree Programme in Pediatric Nursing takes place at National Health Service locations holding academic accreditation.
Head of study programme
Academic guidance tutor
Internship tutor
Seminar and workshop tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Reference structures
The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:
- The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
- The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year)
- An additional fee is due for online programmes
The University also offers:
- Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
- Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
- Concessions for international students with refugee status
Scholarships and benefits
The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).
Learn more
Guidance:
Admission, ranking and enrolment
Official documents