ObjectivesThis nursing course will enable you to develop skills to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities from a complex and varied population. You will learn how to help individuals improve their lifestyles, cope with everyday independent living and participate fully as equal members of society.
Entry requirementsEntry Requirements General Entry Requirements 5 GCSEs at C grade or above to include English, Maths and preferably a science subject. NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care. Access Course that includes GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above, or equivalent. Other qualifications that we consider equivalent to those set out above. It is advantageous, for those students who aim to progress to the degree programme, to have studied at AVCE, BTEC/EDXCEL National Diploma or Advanced GCE in a science subject.
Year 1
The Common Foundation Programme is designed to facilitate shared learning across all four branches of nursing.
Foundation Nursing Theory in your chosen branch
Holistic Health
Evidence-based Knowledge
Professional Practice Nursing Skills
Practice is undertaken in areas appropriate to your chosen branch. You will be allocated to a base placement which you will access for two periods of practice and where you will be mentored by a Learning Disability nurse.
Year 2
In the branch programme you will develop the skills and competences required of a qualified Learning Disability nurse. This will be achieved through practice placements and supporting theory modules.
Module topics are:
Social construction of learning disability
Service delivery in learning disability care
Children and adults with complex needs
Students who have successfully achieved all modules in the first and second years may progress to a Diploma of Higher Education Nursing Studies and undertake the Intermediate level modules in the third year or pursue honours level modules in the third year and achieve a BSc(Hons).
Year 3
The final year of the course enables you to further develop the skills required as a Learning Disability nurse and also extends your knowledge base to consolidate your learning at either diploma or degree level. The third year modules are studied at Intermediate and honours level depending whether you choose to follow the diploma or degree course. Students will be taught together but the assessment for the degree course will be more demanding and of a higher level. Also, one assessment for the degree course will be a dissertation/project.
Module topics are:
Aspects of mental health and challenging behaviour
Transitions and managing life changes
Leadership and management for the newly qualified nurse (studied by all branches)