Learning Disability Nurse
What is the work like?
As a learning disability nurse, you would work with people of all ages who need assistance with aspects of everyday life. You would help people by teaching them skills and giving them the encouragement and confidence they need to live as independently as they can. You may also counsel and advise clients' families and carers.
Your work with clients would often begin with an assessment of their health and social care needs. These are likely to be complex and may also be linked to physical disabilities, epilepsy, mental health problems or difficulties with speech, hearing or vision. You would provide support to your clients to meet their individual needs, which would include making sure they had access to the right services, treatment or therapy.
Your day-to-day duties would involve leading activities that promote health, wellbeing and 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 could also work with clients in their place of employment, in adult education, in school, residential or community centres, and in their home (for example helping them bring up a family).
Your may also mentor and supervise support workers, and provide specialist advice to the wider healthcare team including doctors, physiotherapists, speech therapists, social workers and teachers.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
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).
To get on to an NMC approved course, you need to:
- provide evidence of your literacy and numeracy skills, good health and good character, and recent successful study experience
- meet the minimum age requirement for nurse training – 17.5 years old in England
- have a CRB check (a criminal conviction does not automatically exclude you from working within the NHS).
For this branch you will also usually need relevant experience, paid or unpaid, of working with people with learning disabilities. Contact the voluntary services coordinator or manager at your local NHS Trust for further advice.
Course providers can also set their own academic entry requirements, which can include:
- nursing diploma – five GCSEs (A-C) preferably in English, maths and/or a science-based subject
- nursing degree – usually the same GCSE grades as the diploma, plus two or three A levels, possibly including a biological science.
Some institutions offer Advanced Diplomas in Learning Disability Nursing. This qualification and the entry requirements for it lie between diploma and degree level.
Check with universities for exact entry details because alternative qualifications, such as an Access to Higher Education course, may also be accepted. You apply for nursing courses (diploma or degree) through UCAS.
Alternative entry routes:
Cadet scheme – you could prepare for a career in nursing by completing a two-year Cadet Scheme or Apprenticeship. Schemes vary between Trusts, but will usually combine clinical placements with working towards an NVQ Level 3 in Health. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. You could also contact your local NHS Trust for details of cadet schemes.
Working in a caring role – if you are a healthcare assistant with an NVQ Level 3 in Health, you may be able to apply for a secondment to nurse training. You would receive a salary whilst you study and, once you have qualified, you would usually return to work for that NHS Trust for around two years.
Accelerated pre-registration postgraduate courses – if you have a degree in a health or nursing related subject, you could qualify by taking a fast-track course. You will find a list of NMC approved programmes in the Education section of the NMC website.
Overseas trained nurse – if you trained as a nurse outside the UK and EEA, you may need to complete an Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP) before you can begin work in the UK. For more details contact the NMC.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are on a nurse training programme, you will divide your time between university and supervised placements in local hospitals and the community. Courses usually take three years full-time to complete.
During the first year you will follow the Common Foundation Programme, which includes:
- an introduction to the four branches of nursing and maternity care
- developing observational, communication and caring skills
- studying anatomy, physiology, psychology, sociology, social policy
- learning core practical skills.
For the remaining two years you will specialise in the learning disability branch and work in relevant clinical and community settings.
Funding – nursing diploma and degree courses attract a non-repayable bursary to cover living expenses. Bursaries for a diploma (or Advanced Diploma) are non-means tested; bursaries for the degree are means-tested. Course fees are also usually paid. Check the NHS Student Bursaries website for details.
Professional registration – as a qualified nurse you must renew your professional registration with the NMC every three years. To re-register you need to have worked a minimum of 450 hours and completed at least 35 hours' professional development every three years. Check with the NMC for details.
Return to practice – if you are a former registered nurse wishing to return to the profession, you can take a return-to-practice course. Contact your local NHS Trust for details.
Where can I go for more information?
School of NursingShore Road
Newtownabbey
Co Antrim
BT37 0QB
Tel: 08700 400 700
Bridgend Road
Llanharan
CF72 9RP
Tel: 01443 233 333
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
London
W1B 1PZ
Tel: 020 7637 7181
Registration contacts
Overseas: 020 7333 6600
General: 020 7333 9333
Medical Biology Centre
97 Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 7BL
Tel: 028 9097 2233
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Nurses can earn between £20,200 and £26,200 a year.
- Nurse team leaders can earn up to £32,600.
- Team managers can earn £38,300.
- Nurse consultants can earn up to £64,100.
Extra allowances may be paid to those living in or around London.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would typically work 37.5 hours a week, which can include evenings, weekends, night shifts and bank holidays. Many hospitals offer flexible hours or part-time work. Extra hours may also be available as overtime.
You would usually work in clients’ homes, residential units, hostels, day centres attached to hospitals, and mainstream or special schools.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- the ability to relate well to people of all ages and backgrounds
- maturity, patience, compassion and sensitivity
- excellent communication and listening skills with the ability to teach
- the ability to gain the trust of clients and their families
- physical and mental stamina
- the ability to stay calm and in control in difficult situations
- a genuine desire to help people
- assertiveness with the ability to represent a client’s interests
- self awareness, resourcefulness and emotional resilience
- a flexible approach to work
- the ability to recognise signs of physical or emotional problems.
What opportunities are there?
You will find most jobs within the NHS. You could also work within the private sector, the prison service, and local authority social services.
With experience, you could specialise in an area such as sensory disability, or seek promotion and manage a learning disability unit or lead of team in a residential setting. You could also progress to other management roles, such as community matron or director of nursing.
You could go on to train in another branch of nursing by completing a ‘second registration’ course. This will take around one year and you will usually need evidence of recent study and financial support from your employer. You could also train as a health visitor.
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