Course Overview
An introduction to the nursing specialty of pediatric nursing, this course focuses on characteristics of children and families which influence how they interpret and respond to life events and to their environments, and shapes how nurses respond to and interact with them. The overall intent of this course is to provide opportunity for you to increase your understanding of pediatric nursing practice as you consider some critical issues related to children and childhood, factors that influence children’s health, pediatric assessment and delivery of health care to children. Along with a focus on developmental assessment we will also look at medication safety, nutrition, prevention of infectious diseases within the context of these developmental stages. This course introduces you to the concept of oxygen supply and demand and the significance of this knowledge for the provision on optimal care. Finally this course also introduces the process of comprehensive pediatric assessment as a means of understanding the patients experience and the meaning they attach to these experiences.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Domestic fees
$305.40 - $963.23 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
As a healthcare practitioner, you are expected to follow professional standards of practice throughout all SN programs and courses. In this course, you will have opportunities to use the processes of critical thinking, systematic inquiry, communication, collaboration, leadership, professionalism, and clinical decision-making. Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Reflect on and clarify values, beliefs, and assumptions about children, families, and nursing in the development of a personal philosophy of pediatric nursing.
- Explain the anatomic and physiological growth and development of children at various stages.
- Critically examine theories of growth and development and other perspectives on children and childhood, analyzing their relevance to and influence upon the practice of pediatric nursing.
- Explore key influences on and characteristics of partnership relationships with children and their families.
- Explore and identify the influence of the physical, social, political, and economic environments on the health and well-being of infants, children, and young people.
- Explore the meaning of Equity Oriented Health Care, including cultural safety and humility and trauma informed practice, analyzing their relevance to and influence upon the practice of pediatric nursing.
- Reflect on Indigenous-specific racism, the legacies of colonialism in health care, and analyzing their relevance to and influence upon the practice of pediatric nursing.
- Examine the components and processes of a comprehensive pediatric assessment to identify the complexities of children's health.
- Demonstrate increased understanding of key issues related to the prevention of infection and children's health in the hospital and community settings.
- Understand the need for nutritional assessment and promotion with pediatric patients and their family.
- Identify the oxygen supply and demand framework and the interrelationships among the determinants.
- Identify medication administration safety risks and proper medication administration techniques.
- Demonstrate mathematical ability in safe medication dosage calculations.
Effective as of Fall 2024
Related Programs
Pediatric Theory 1 (NSPE 7100) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Health Sciences
- Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Full-time
- Pediatric Nursing Specialty (Anesthesia Care Option)
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Pediatric Nursing Specialty (Critical Care Option)
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Pediatric Nursing Specialty (Standard Option)
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Specialty Nursing (Pediatric - Critical Care Option)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Part-time
- Specialty Nursing (Pediatric - Standard Option)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Part-time
Course Offerings
Spring/Summer 2026
Below are three offerings of NSPE 7100 for the Spring/Summer 2026 term.
CRN 25914
Dates
Apr 07 - Jun 26 Loading
- CRN 25914
- $963.23 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07 - Jun 26 | N/A | N/A | Distance |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Tara Hodgson
Course outline
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This is a NET online learning section. Students need to contact the Bookstore in order to obtain course materials for this course/section. This course is delivered in an online format. On the first day of class, log in to www.bcit.ca/learn/ to access your course. Student must be a Registered Nurse in Canada or in the 3rd or 4th year of an undergraduate nursing program in Canada to take this course.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 25915
Dates
Apr 07 - Jun 26 Loading
- CRN 25915
- $305.40 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07 - Jun 26 | N/A | N/A | Distance |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Tara Hodgson
Course outline
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course offering. Departmental approval is required for this course offering. You will not be able to register without it.
Important information
- Available for re-registration (course extension) only.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This is a RE-REGISTRATION section for students who did not complete the NET online learning section in the previous term and need a one-time extension to complete. This course is delivered in an online format. On the first day of class, log in to www.bcit.ca/learn/ to access your course.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval Departmental approval is required for this course offering. You will not be able to register without it.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 29673
Dates
Apr 07 - Jun 26 Loading
- CRN 29673
- $493.34 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07 - Jun 26 | N/A | N/A | Distance |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Tara Hodgson
Course outline
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course offering. Departmental approval is required for this course offering. You will not be able to register without it.
Important information
- Available for exam challenge only.
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This is a CHALLENGE section. Please contact the Program Head at 604-412-7548 for approval to register. Students may need to contact the Bookstore in order to obtain course materials for this course/section.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval Departmental approval is required for this course offering. You will not be able to register without it.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.