Teaching and training nurses who work with children is at the heart of our work.

The team at the Harry Crossley Children's Nursing Development Unit (CNDU) offer real expertise in designing and delivering innovative education that is uniquely responsive to the needs and realities of African health practice. Through this, we aim to advance the knowledge, skills, confidence and leadership capacity of nurses working with children to provide contextually appropriate evidence-based care. 

Since 2008 we have trained 554 nurses, and this number continues to grow.  328 nurses completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Child / Critical Care Child nursing, and 23 nurses have completed a Master of Nursing in Child Nursing graduating as Advanced Practice Nurses. Courses in the ‘Essentials of Nursing’ short course suite were launched from 2022 and since then more than 200 nurses have completed this professional development training opportunity. A further 39 aspirant PhD candidates, many of these health professionals, have completed the PhD Preparedness course. 

For more information about these various training opportunities, see below: 

'Essentials of Nursing Children' online short courses:

Keep a look out for more courses launching soon!

For senior specialist children’s nurses:

  • Master of Nursing in Child Nursing (A two-year, full time, NQF level 9 Professional Masters).
    This programme is registered in the UCT Division of Nursing and Midwifery and run in collaboration with the Unit.
  • PhD Preparedness Online Course (Offered once a year around July)
    We strongly encourage any masters graduates, of any profession, considering a doctoral degree to complete this short course before applying. 
  • PhD in Maternal Child Health (Contact us if your research interests relate to children's nursing)
    This programme is run by the CNDU. 

Other education for children’s nurses available at the University of Cape Town:

  • Post Graduate Diplomas in Child Nursing and in Critical Care Child Nursing Programmes.
    For more information contact Lauren Rees in the UCT Division of Nursing and Midwifery.