Nursing (Learning Disabilities)

As a learning disability nurse, you'll support individuals with primary diagnoses of learning disabilities across different life stages, including those with underlying physical and/or mental health issues. You'll work in diverse settings such as community teams, inpatient facilities, schools, and social care environments. The role involves working in partnership with families, carers, specialised healthcare professionals, promoting health and wellbeing, ensuring that people with learning disabilities reach their full potential.

Throughout the programme, you will develop holistic, person-centred approaches to support individuals to assess, implement care and promote wellbeing to those with autism, complex behavioural needs, and additional health needs. The course incorporates integrated health and social care models by applying evidence-based teaching with the use of simulated practice learning. All practice learning meets the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements.

We work in conjunction with the Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust, offering a variety of placements within learning disability specific teams and general health providers. During your practice placement you will have the opportunity to apply theory-based knowledge into clinical practice skills.

Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to choose which area of Learning Disability Nursing you would like to pursue as a career. Our graduates hold a variety of positions including community nurses, inpatient nurses, forensic nurses, liaison nurses in general hospitals, specialist nurses within autism services, prison nurses and others. 100% of Herts Learning Disability Nursing graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduating from their 1st degree (Source: Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-22).

Why study Learning Disability Nursing at University of Hertfordshire?

The learning disability nursing lecturing team have an impressive profile of expertise. With experience working as researchers, authors, clinical practitioners, qualified teachers and policymakers and our portfolio is enhanced by lived experience of intellectual disabilities and autism.

You’ll have the opportunity to work with the NHS Trust in Hertfordshire, Essex, Bedfordshire or in North London. You’ll also find many learning disability nurses working within the private health sector, which we also utilise to extend your practical placements.

University of Hertfordshire has been shortlisted for numerous awards at the Nursing Times Awards 2024 including:

Nurse Education Provider of the Year

Teaching Innovation of the Year

Partnership of the Year

Nursing Apprenticeship Provider of the Year

We are currently ranked 9th in General Nursing (Guardian University Guide, 2024) and 93% overall student satisfaction in the 2022 National Student Survey (NSS).

Course Content:

During your first year you will have the opportunity to explore the themes of communication, interprofessional practice and apply this to the lives of people with learning disability over the 5 modules.

In your second year, you will then go onto develop your knowledge and skills around physical health needs and wellbeing of people with learning disability and consider the challenges of transition for young people moving into adult services, encompassed by evidence-based practice.

In your final year, you will consolidate your learning, leadership and innovative skills within your interprofessional role.

Assessment Methods:

Assessments will be undertaken through a variety of different methods including written coursework, exams, and practical assessment where relevant.