You will need to have a keen interest in healthcare, be capable of working in a team, and have a caring and understanding personality and outlook to enjoy working as a nurse.

The programme of education available to student nurses will enable the future practitioner to deliver the necessary nursing care to persons with an intellectual disability. The education enables students to develop the relevant skills, knowledge and attitudes to provide professional nursing support to people with an intellectual disability. The student will develop abilities, which will enable them to provide for the physical, psychological, social, emotional and spiritual needs of people with an intellectual disability.

The care of people with an intellectual disability forms part of the nursing profession as a whole, yet it is specialised and uniquely different from other disciplines of nursing, by enabling children, adolescents and adults to achieve the best quality of life that they can attain.

Definition of Intellectual Disability

“An intellectual disability is a disability that involves significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills.
This disability originates before the age of 18 and encompasses a wide range of conditions, types, and levels. Intellectual disability is caused by factors that can be physical, genetic, and/or social” (American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 2010).

Role of Intellectual Disability Nurse

The intellectual disability nurse provides therapeutic interventions, practical support, and nursing care for persons with an intellectual disability of all ages and abilities. The intellectual disability nurse may work with persons with an intellectual disability in a diversity of roles, from intensive physical nursing of individuals with a profound disability, to facilitative guidance in assisting children, adolescents and adults to live lives of the highest quality in the community.

Having an Intellectual Disability Nursing degree opens doors in health and social care as this course allows for wide and varied types of employment. Ultimately, career progression is dependent on a mix of further study and work experience. In Ireland, there are a number of specialist courses and programmes available.

For further information on post registration programmes, please visit the School of Nursing and Midwifery Postgraduate website.