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NPR1019 Foundations of Learning Disability Nursing : Assignment

   

Added on  2020-05-28

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Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENTPre-Registration Framework in NursingBSc Nursing (Learning Disability)Foundations of Learning Disability Nursing ModuleModule Code; NPR1019Discuss how a day in the life of a registered nurse (learning disability) might be different todayfrom 1980

1NURSING ASSIGNMENTIntroduction:Learning disability (LD) nurses have the role of supporting and caring for people withlearning disability to help them live a fulfilling life. People with learning disability have complexneeds and nurses help such person in increasing their independence, identifying unmet healthneeds and developing their skills to live happy and healthier lives (Genders and Brown 2014).Learning disability was not a specialty in the nursing profession previously, however it became apart of the nursing profession after mental deficiencies posed significant problem to the society.Currently, LD nursing profession is not the same as it was in the 1980s. Today, it has become aprofession much in demand in mental health nursing field. The main purpose of this essay is todiscuss about the historical context of learning disability nursing role and discuss changes in therole of learning disability nurse today and back in 1980s. It mainly seeks to give clear argumentsregarding why the role of LD has changed with time. Concepts related to learning disability and LD nursingLearning disability (LD) is a neurological disorder that affects people’s ability to interpretthings and process different information in the brain. This kind of disability affects people’sbasic learning skills like reading and writing. This is a life time condition that may have animpact on many parts of a person’s life (Cortiella and Horowitz 2014). For instance, apart fromacademics, it may affect relationship work and social life too. LD nursing is the profession thathas emerged to support LD people to lead a good quality life. LD nurses are involved insupporting such people to lead a more independent healthy life by maintaining their physical andmental health and reducing barriers to independent living. They also work to address problem ofsocial inclusion in people with LD (Northway et al. 2017). To work effectively with such

2NURSING ASSIGNMENTpatients, LD nurses must also possess certain personal attributes like looking deeper, achievingbalance and connecting with client to build effective relationship with patient (Lovell and Bailey2017).Historical context to the learning disability nursing roleWhen looking at historical aspects of learning disability nurse role, it can be said that LDnursing held an anomalous position within the nursing profession. The foundation of thediscipline in early phase of twentieth century was associated with many challenges and loosedefinitions about the role of LD nurse. There was no clear service provision and the departmentsfor mental deficiency within psychiatry was also emerging (Mitchell 1998). The history ofmental health nursing has similarities with LD nursing. Back in the 1980s, both LD nurse andmental nurses were recruited from working class and it mainly comprised men. In addition, thevalue for both form of nursing was unionization instead of professionalism and they also workedwith similar types of client (Mitchell 2002). This practice has wide difference from theprofessional expectation and standards expected now from LD nurses. There is strict provisionfor professionalism and maintaining professional boundaries in learning disability nursing carecurrently (Bowler and Nash 2014). The review of historical perspective on the LD nursing profession has also revealed thatLD nursing was not regarded as proper nursing throughout 20th century. There was no distinctionbetween people with mental illness and those with learning disabilities. Hence, nurses workingas LD nurse in those times had the perception that it is similar to mental health needs. The IdiotsAct 1886 existed at that time for fulfilling the needs and care of people with signs of mentaldeficiency and learning disability people has no distinction from that of people with mental

3NURSING ASSIGNMENTillness (Mitchell 2002). Hence, back in those times, LD nurses provided care to all kinds ofpeople working in asylums, workhouses and prisons. It was the Mental Deficiency Act 1913 thatclearly distinguished between people with mental illness and learning disability. After this,gradual improvements were seen in service provision (Clapham 2014). For example, GeneralNursing Council was involved in developing dedicated sections with nursing profession forpeople with LD. The review of past history of LD nursing also gives evidence of marginalization withinnursing profession. There was no framework or professional framework which LD nurses coulduse to understand the challenges of people with LD. People also had vague idea about theposition of LD nurses within nursing profession. Due to this limitation, LD nurses working withLD people were stigmatized. Besides this, suspicious and ambivalent attitude was also commonbecause LD nursing lacked control over its other branches (Mitchell 2002). Hence, it can be saidthat LD nursing is a historical accident within nursing profession. In the past, people with LD were segregated from society. In addition, as the role of nursewas very ambiguous throughout twentieth century, they also became part of the oppressive groupand started discriminating people with LD. In contrast, the profession of LD nurses became avaluable addition to the nursing profession as they were responsible for bringing positivity’s inthe life of people with LD. They worked with people of all ages and supported people withchallenging behavior. Apart from specialist role in epilepsy and forensic services, LD nurseswere expected to provide security to vulnerable people with LD. If LD nurses are trainedregarding the true values and attitude they need to have in the profession, they can help toaddress various challenges in life of LD people (Gates 2002). For instance, they can make theircontacts with various advocacy and social groups that can serve the best interest of these people.

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