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Nursing Branches: Learning Disabilities Nursing

Learning Disability Nursing could arguably be described as one of the most challenging branches of nursing.

As a learning disability nurse you would be working, not only with your patients, but also with their families and carers.

People with learning disabilities come in all shapes and sizes, they cover all age ranges and have disabilities ranging from mild Dyslexia to complex major physical and mental problems.

Your work with clients begins with an assessment of their health and social care needs, planning their care and making sure they have access to the services, treatment and therapies appropriate to their needs.

Your duties would involve leading activities that promote independence, which could include giving practical help and encouragement with:

• personal hygiene
• dressing
• using public transport
• going on shopping trips
• pursuing leisure interests or community activities
• making and attending appointments
• finding a job

You may work with clients in their own home, place of employment, school and residential or community centres. You will be required to mentor and supervise support workers, and to work closely with doctors, physiotherapists, speech therapists, social workers and teachers.

You will need to have great patience and highly developed, flexible communication skills. You will need to be assertive to ensure people with a learning disability do not suffer discrimination.

Working with people who have a learning disability will be demanding and stressful at times, as progress can be frustratingly slow, but satisfaction is great when someone has learned a new skill or can demonstrate new confidence in themselves thanks to your intervention.

What qualifications do I need to become a Learning Disabilities Nurse?

To work as a learning disability nurse, you need a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved degree or Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing (learning disability branch).

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